Tag Archives: Theatre

Grace, Theatre and Performing Arts

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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

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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

Drama, 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

English, 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.

 

James, Theatre and Performing Arts

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James was matched with a freelance actor and theatre practitioner, through the Career Mentor Scheme. This mentor specialises in theatre-in-education, working mostly with children and young people. The majority of her work is in schools, providing curriculum-enhancing drama workshops and creative days to children and young people.

This mentor’s experience and guidance was really useful to James. He gave us an insight into their mentoring partnership.

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What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

Meeting my mentor was incredibly worthwhile as it made it easier to discuss the career I am interested in and therefore I got a lot out of it.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

Gaining insight into working in the creative industries (the employment sector I am interested in) including the good/bad aspects of the industry, as well as the many different possible careers there are within the industries.

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

Make sure you have a plan of what you want to discuss/find out. Always reply promptly. Always try and meet your mentor at least once if you can.

“It was wonderful working with a student who was so keen, and who was really prepared to take advantage of the scheme. I very much enjoyed meeting and working with James, and thought his enthusiasm was admirable.” – James’ Mentor

 

Katherine, Theatre and Performing Arts

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English and Drama student Katherine was mentored by a freelance actor through the Career Mentor Scheme. This mentor trained at Drama Studio London and the Actors Temple. His theatre credits include Templeton in Charlotte’s Web, Demetrius in A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Antonio in Twelfth Night for the Cambridge Shakespeare Company, and Mercutio in Romeo & Juliet at the Tower of London.

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Katherine benefited massively from the mentoring partnership. Here is what she shared with us:

What were the highlights of the scheme for you?

As well as learning about industry from someone who has actually experienced it, this scheme gave me an opportunity to voice my concerns for employment with someone who was able to provide inspirational advice. The scheme was incredibly valuable in helping me to gain the courage to follow what I want to do, despite the challenges I will face.

What did you find most useful from the mentoring experience?

My mentor gave me comprehensive advice on the benefits of a post-graduate degree at a drama school, and also provided me with a reputable list of drama schools as a benchmark to begin my research. When enquired, he gave me tips on how to fund a postgraduate degree, calming my fears of everlasting debt and just generally making me feel better about the whole prospect!

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

If you’re feeling stuck regarding your career, or you just need a bit of a push to encourage you into doing something you really want to do, I’d really advise this scheme. My mentor was helpful, open and friendly, and really put my mind at ease regarding something that can often feel isolating and stressful.