Have you ever wanted to work backstage at The Old Vic?
Have you ever wanted to work backstage at The Old Vic?
OV Backstage will offer paid placements on an Old Vic main house production to six 18–30-year-olds from underrepresented backgrounds in the arts. This year participants will work on Machinal.
Participants will shadow an industry professional across 15 paid sessions and get hands-on experience in one of the following disciplines:
- Costume
- Production management
- Set
- Sound
- Stage management
The project culminates with a networking session to help participants take the next steps in their careers.
Participants will be paid for taking part in the programme. Additional support for travel costs is available if required.
The programme will include:
- Work experience on a professional production at The Old Vic
- 15 paid shifts at £110 per day
- Two induction days with Old Vic staff
- On-the-job practical learning within one chosen discipline, with support from Old Vic staff
- A follow-up networking event after the project ends
- Support with travel costs for the duration of the project if required
- The opportunity to join The Old Vic’s alumni network
This programme will take place between 18 Mar–26 Apr 2024.
Individual schedules will vary depending on the chosen discipline and we will work with individuals to agree theses in advance. We would advise applicants to ensure they have good availability during the programme time frame (e.g. no long holidays booked)
Key dates participants will need to attend are:
Induction workshops: Mon 18 Mar, 10am–5pm and Tue 19 March, 10am–5pm
Get-in Shifts: Mon 1 Apr–Sat 6 Apr
Tech shifts: Mon 8 Apr–Sat13 Apr
Press Night: Thu 18 Apr
Next steps workshop: Tue 23 Apr
Shifts will take place at The Old Vic and workshops will take place on-site or at venue nearby.
Applications for our next OV Backstage programme are not yet open.
To register your interest, and be the first to find out when the application process opens, please register your interest by completing an online application form.
- This programme has been set up to work with young people who are currently underrepresented in backstage roles, such as people from the global majority, women, those from working class backgrounds, neurodiverse people and disabled people
- You must be aged 18–30
- You must be based in London, or within the surrounding areas – placements will involve evening work
- You must be interested in developing a career in your chosen discipline
- This programme is for those at the start or early on in their careers – you must have had some prior experience or transferable skills, perhaps at school or a short course, but not undertaken formal training or a university degree in your chosen discipline (if you are unsure whether you are eligible, please email ovbackstage@oldvictheatre.com)
- We are committed to identifying and resolving barriers which may ordinarily exclude young people from accessing theatre, so we are particularly keen to hear from people who have had limited or no access to arts opportunities in the past
- We are committed to working with young people who have a disability or identify as neurodiverse (for example: dyslexia, ADHD, autism) and will make adjustments for this
- If you have a different learning style, we can also change the course content to suit you
- We can bring in additional staff support if you would require this
- The project will take place at an Old Vic venue with step free access
If you have any questions about the programme or the application process, please get in touch – ovbackstage@oldvictheatre.com.