15 replies to this topic

[Felix]

Hi,
   I am thinking on whom i should contact if I want to apply for a job in theatres in the Westend as an usher or pretty much anything actually ~ I have experience at school as stage manager, do you guys think if I write that they'll maybe take me in as a crew backstage to learn?

Any help would be appreciated!

[Colourarc]

First of all, how old are you? Most theatre jobs these days need you to be 18, you *may* get ushering if you are 16/17. Due to health & safety regs you need to be 18 to work backstage.

Secondly, decide whether you want FoH or backstage.

Thirdly, DON'T say you only want work for the summer hols, although staff turnover can be quite high it will be a rare manager or chief who employs someone for a short time.

Once you have decided what/where you want to work, do your research. Find out Managers/Chiefs names (and how they are spelt, one Chief I know throws letters in the bin if they aren't addressed correctly!). Get a CV & letter written.

Then comes the leg work, try to hand deliver your letters, you may be able to catch the person you want and have a chat about the job etc.

Hope that helps, pm me if you want, Good luck!

Cx

[Felix]

Here's some of my details:
I am a student who's graduating from college, so going into Uni after Summer. I want to work backstage BUT I don't mind working front-of-house, as long as I can work in a theatre! And this will be my first paid job (all the jobs I've done before are volunteering), so I dont have a CV... call me stupid but I don't really know what I should put in my CV!
There's little chance of me seeing a person in charge cuz I study in North Yorkshire AND I live in Hong Kong... I only go to London during 1/2 terms.. maybe I'll catch them then.. I will try to anyway~

[Colourarc]

OK, Felix......make it easy huh!  

I think, that putting volunteer work will be fine, as long as it is theatre related. College shows are also acceptable for a first CV.

Explain, briefly, in your covering letter that you are looking for your first paid job.

If you are going to be posting your letters then make sure all your details are correct and include a phone no & availability date. Make sure the name and address of the person you are contacting is correct too. Apply everywhere! More chance of a reply then.

Do you have somewhere to live in London for the summer? The last thing you want to do is land a job & then have to find a flat!

Cx

[Amo]

Hi,
   I am thinking on whom i should contact if I want to apply for a job in theatres in the Westend as an usher or pretty much anything actually ~ I have experience at school as stage manager, do you guys think if I write that they'll maybe take me in as a crew backstage to learn?

Any help would be appreciated!

A friend of mine got a FOH summer job at the Arts a couple of summers ago. She's not a theatre fanatic, didn't have any professional bar experience (i don't think, except our old college bar), didn't get it through contacts...

It all seemed pretty casual.

I'm sure you'll do fine, especially as you're thinking about it this early.

[teaboy]

Send your CV and (sensible) covering letter to the Theatre Manager, ideally by name if you can find it. Don't add a photo/headshot. Let them know you're interested in theatre, but also in working with people. Add ANY experience you have with cash-handling and 'customer relations' (be that shop work, volunteering, etc). Let them know you're out-going and willing to learn. DO NOT MENTION YOU ONLY WANT A SUMMER JOB! - Although turnover is high, why bother with someone you KNOW won't be there in 3 month's time?

To be honest, a (barely) trained Monkey could work FOH. Very few managers will think you're looking to 'work your way up', but they will expect a few weeks work min.

Good luck!

[Felix]

Thanks guys this has been REALLY helpful! I think I should also add that I am Chinese and am going to University next year.... will I need a working Visa, I mean I have a Visa to stay in the country anyway.... do you think this will put Theatre Managers off?

*SORRY for so many questions... truly grateful for you guys being so helpful!*

[teaboy]

I doubt it - many FOH staff are young foreign 'students' primarily in the contry to learn English. In some venues an inability to make yourself understood in English seems to be a bonus, so you may be over-qualified!

Seriously, it shouldn't. As I said, turnover is high and FOH jobs are fairly frequently available.

[Felix]

damnit.... tho Im Chinese I speak fluent English (well, I have to cuz Im applying for Eng Lit for Uni!) lolz~  

[armadillo]

You'll need a working visa though if you don't already have permission to work here. Unless they are very short-staffed a new employer isn't going to sort that out for you (other non-British FOH staff are probably EU citizens so they do have the right to work here). Check the Home Office site to see what you need.

There are plenty of websites and books out there with help on how to put together a cv. Just don't make it more than a page and don't use textspeak like cuz or lolz in any correspondence with a potential employer (you'd be surprised how many people do!).