Tag Archives: Performing Arts

Grace, Theatre and Performing Arts

Grace, an English Literature student, applied to the Career Mentor Scheme to gain an understanding of the auditioning process, increase her knowledge of the industry and receive guidance on how to improve her overall skillset. Through the scheme, Grace was matched with a Freelance Actor who has experience as a producer and actor. He has a vast portfolio of theatre work including multiple roles for the Cambridge Shakespeare Company, touring nationally with Ape Theatre and an award winning production by Illyria Theatre Company.

The opportunity to discuss my future with someone

Grace achieved all of her objectives, including receiving advice for applying to drama school as this is a very difficult and complicated process, ways to keep working when acting jobs are not always available, and increased knowledge in finding internships and work experience in this sector.

Grace her shared some of her experiences with us;

What were the highlights of the scheme?

Meeting with my mentor

What did you find most useful form the mentoring experience?

The opportunity to discuss my future with someone who had followed a similar path to the one I am now attempting to go down.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

To do it, as any advice and guidance you can receive is helpful!

Nicola, Theatre and Performing Arts

Nicola, a Drama student, was interested in learning more about breaking into the Performing Arts industry, gain a greater understanding of scriptwriting and increase her knowledge about production and management. Through the scheme, Nicola was matched with the Artistic Director of Riptide. His role involves directing and creating productions, casting shows and organising personnel. His previous work experiences include Assistant Director for David Shearing and Director for Lord Whitney and was therefore in a great position to help Nicola in achieving her goals.

“Provided excellent guidance

Nicola achieved all of her objectives including developed knowledge on how to explore other options or ways to enter the theatre production sector, widened her professional network within this sector and thereby widened the possibility for employment opportunities.

Nicola talked about her experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

Extremely helpful and provided excellent guidance on what paths I could explore or take to learn more about the theatre world and sector. Explored different opportunities I could take over the summer and other internship/work opportunities in the future.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Insight into how the drama sector works and how to network with other individuals and companies when looking into internships

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

It’s honestly such a helpful and good program to help you develop thinking beyond the academic field.

Katie, Theatre and Performing Arts

Katie, a Drama student, wanted to learn more about a career in theatre after gaining some valuable work experience in stage management and as a runner. Katie wanted some advice on breaking into the theatre sector and different routes in than the more conventional ways. Through the Career Mentor Scheme, Katie was matched with a Freeland Theatre Producer and Project Manager. His previous employment includes Associate lecturer at Exeter College, Co-Founder and Director of the Bike Shed Theatre and Performing Arts Programmer at The House, Plymouth University.

 “It helped me decide on my career path”

Katie achieved all of her objectives including deciding on her career path and job role she would like to go into, increased knowledge of sector entry requirements and received help to optimise her CV for the specific sector.

Katie talked about her experience:

What were the highlights of the scheme?

  • Being given advice about how to go about achieving my goals.
  • Also reassurance that I can achieve what I thought was impossible

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

  • Insight into my chosen profession.
  • I joined valuable knowledge of how to go about achieving career goals

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

It helped me decide on my career path, I got advice from a professional in the sector and the scheme was really low commitment. Brilliant.

Hebe, Theatre and Performing Arts

Hebe, a second year English student, interested in Theatre and Performing Arts was assigned a Performing Arts Programme Leader at The House, Plymouth University. This mentor graduated from Exeter in 2005 with a BA in Drama. From 2007-2010 he was an associate lecturer at Exeter College and then 2010-2013, he was the Co-Founder and Director of the Bike Shed Theatre.

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Hebe said he felt like he’d achieved his objectives through the Career Mentor Scheme. Here’s a few that he mentioned:

  • It improved my personal skills – confidence building, listening skills for graduate employment
  • My mentor helped me gain professional experience to build my CV and helped me develop professional contacts and access networking opportunities
  • My mentor helped me gain insight and informed me about what I needed to do to get in to the career I’m interested in as well as pointing out good and bad aspects of the industry
  • My mentor helped me gain insight into further education/ professional courses related to my profession

What was the highlight of the scheme for you?

My mentor introduced me to Exeter Phoenix’s short film commission and helped me complete my proposal form and prepare for an interview. This was greatly useful as my application was successful and will be really helpful, in terms of adding relevant work experience to my CV and learning more about the industry I intend to work in. I do not think I would have learnt about this opportunity, let alone have succeeded in my application, without the Mentor Scheme.

What message would you give to a student thinking of applying for the Career Mentor Scheme?

It is definitely worth applying for as it offers so many opportunities, from gaining advice about particular sectors to learning how you can enter specific industries. The mentors are always willing to help with any advice, and the fact you can learn about a job sector from someone who has experienced it, is great.