Katie Callis is currently undertaking the Creative Venue Technician Apprenticeship at New Theatre Royal Portsmouth in conjunction with Chichester College. New Theatre Royal is committed to providing work opportunities to young people and furthering their careers.
See the Vacancies page for any current Apprenticeship opportunities.
What attracted you to the Creative Venue Technician Apprenticeship at NTR instead of other courses or apprenticeships?
Mostly because I didn’t know what I wanted to do. After I finished college (where I did Graphic Design, Geography and Biology) I was debating going to university and wasn’t sure it was for me as the things I was studying didn’t hold as much interest for me any more. Dance has always been one of my hobbies so I’ve been on stage a lot. When I was performing I found I was becoming interested in how things worked backstage. I remember I was performing with my dance school somewhere and started thinking of ways to improve the set around us. I decided to make a new set and enjoyed that so much that I started looking into careers in theatre – I’m a big believer in enjoying what you do for work. I found this particular internship quite late in the application process and decided to just go for it – I was excited to just be in the theatre and when I arrived for my interview I knew straight away that this is what I wanted to do.
What do you hope to gain from your apprenticeship here at NTR?
I hope to gain a solid foundation of knowledge in technical theatre with concrete skills that I can then use to build my future career. You never stop learning in this industry!
What do you find to be the most challenging and also the most rewarding things about your apprenticeship?
For me one of the challenges is the terminology as it’s quite a lot to get your head around at first and I am still learning. The work can be fast-paced if there is a company coming in and you have to set up straight away. Visiting companies expect you to be able to answer their questions (as they should) and it was quite daunting at the beginning but I have a really supportive team around me. Also technician working hours can be quite long but it is rewarding and enjoyable.
One of the most rewarding things is looking back on how much I have improved since I started. I have a way to go but it’s going really well. Another thing that I find really rewarding is when a show goes really well, or when there’s a problem that I’m able to fix with the team and pull off a show without the audience noticing there was a hitch.
Why do you think apprenticeships like this one are so important?
Learning on the job and networking are two of the most valuable and important things you get from apprenticeships and in particular this one because learning it in a classroom is one thing but applying it is another altogether and I’m really glad I get to do both at the same time – it feels like a fast-track to my career. Through working with visiting companies I have already started to build networks as some companies come back frequently. I also feel like you can learn a lot by being thrown in the deep end (which lots of apprentices feel at first). Doing the apprenticeship gives you the opportunity to adapt – as far as companies are concerned I’m like any other member of staff and I’m here to work with them.
Do you think apprenticeship schemes are more beneficial to those interested in working in the world of theatre than a more traditional university or college course? If, yes why?
There are different perks between going to uni and doing an apprenticeship. People can do uni and then do an apprenticeship – I know some people that have. Universities offer more performance-based degrees so apprenticeships like the one I’m doing are useful because it’s more centred around backstage and not on stage. There’s a lot in the world of theatre that you can’t learn from a book. You can study things like operating a desk but actually doing it is very different. You have to multi-task a lot as there’s so much going on during a show and there’s often no time to deliberate, you have to react. Learning in a classroom doesn’t allow you to do that or prepare you for it. Working in technical theatre often means long days and late nights and that’s a difficult transition if you were to go to university and then get a job in tech.
In today’s theatre employment landscape is it important to be a multi-skilled technician as opposed to purely specialising in one area?
I have some favourite things that I do but I think you definitely have to learn the basics of all the departments. Bigger theatres and touring companies have separate departments but here at NTR it’s better to be multi-skilled. I think I prefer it that way too as I enjoy getting hands-on experience in any area I can. If something goes wrong the closest person needs to be able to deal with it. Being multi-skilled allows you to learn everything so you get the chance to find your specialism. New Theatre Royal has good facilities and I know some apprentices aren’t as lucky so it’s great that I have access to the equipment I do; it will put me ahead in the future. I’m a very visual person so I like lighting, flying and stage. I would like to fly a show once I get a bit more experience.