Vocational training: Alternatives that work

Subject:
Technical Theatre

Led by:
Lewisham College

Project partners:
Albany Theatre, Bubble Theatre, Greenwich Playhouse, Greenwich Theatre, Lewisham People's Day, RADA, Sydenham Arts Festival and Trafalgar Studios

Online materials:
To see the final report for this project, click here
To see the final report cover & contacts page, click here

Outline:
'In 2008, the Creative & Cultural Skills Council identified that in nine years there would be a need for 30,000 new backstage staff

Where will the students with the necessary skills come from?

Is university the only way you can learn those skills?

Young people who graduate with a technical degree may know how to talk, problem solve, debate theatre issues and philosophise but they don’t necessarily know how to do it... Learning and practising within higher education can never mirror the dynamics, economic and creative realities of professional arts organisations'

From this starting point, Lewisham College’s Technical Theatre staff explored ways of working with industry partners to inspire and educate young people about opportunities that production training in backstage areas can offer them, in real terms. It has shown the diversity of job opportunities and helped introduce professional practice and expectation through work experience with local theatres and event co-ordinators

The development of this ‘Passport Scheme’ is illustrated and explained in the report – hard copies are also available.

Main contact:
Sue Baynton, Senior Practitioner: Course Leader Technical Theatre, Lewisham College - sue.baynton@lewisham.ac.uk / 020 8692 0353 ext 3073