The Stage

Theatrical Catch 22

Published Monday 21 March 2005 at 17:15

The letter from Sam Gray (Opinion, March 10, page 8) sang a tune of familiarity. Having earned qualifications and gained short-term experience as a theatre technician, she is now finding it difficult landing a similar job, despite her willingness to relocate. Her conclusions on this sad state of affairs was she might be too young at 19, or that being female might have counted against her.

Have some sympathy with her disappointments. I fear she is one of many barred from our great theatres, never mind backstage. At least Miss Gray has time on her side.

I am 30. On leaving a career behind to pursue a career in the theatre at 25, I did a BTEC in Performing Arts, followed by three years at university, gaining a 2:1 in theatre and film studies. I thoroughly enjoyed these years but, being a few years older than my contempories and a tad more cynical, I was under no illusions of getting a job quickly in theatre management or some outreach position.

However, this task has outweighed my own inclinations. After graduating in 2003, I am still working at Asda. This is the same job I had while studying. I am worse off than I was ten years ago, thanks to trying to fulfill an ambition.

In the meantime, I have filled out endless application forms and written many a convincing and sincere letter, only to have heard nothing or received some contrived letter of rejection. Since that wondrous, yet seemingly overrated day of graduation, I have been privileged to have two interviews, so Miss Gray can count herself fortunate as she is playing catch up by 11 years.

Having got a diverse working history in other fields, a healthy working record, but limited theatre work experience, I find that old chestnut returning quite frequently - the one Miss Gray mentions with slight indignation - ‘experience’. On most forms I receive through my overworked letterbox, they all say you need one to three years experience of theatre work. Whether it be front of house management, some position in stage management or toilet attendant, you need to gain this experience to have a chance.

I wonder if I applied to be a dustbin man whether I would need that cherished two years experience to get the job.

Anyway I shall continue my quest on landing a job in theatre. I will not give up on it, as filling in forms has now become part of my sad life. One day it might be me. I wish Miss Gray better luck than I have had. I only wish I was 19 again. I’d have done things differently.

Craig Hill

Walshaw Road

Bury

Lancashire