Career beginnings

Struggling with a script, a writer strikes up a conversation with an actor and they end up collaborating. During a stage management workshop, an A Level Drama student sees their skill for overseeing projects and passion for theatre reflected in the remit. On the exhibition floor a young costume designer discovers a work experience scheme at her favourite theatre. These are the sorts of revelations that take place at TheatreCraft, where young people aged between 16–30 are given the opportunity to learn more about backstage careers via talks and workshops.

‘[At TheatreCraft] people are super friendly and all about pointing you in the right direction.’ Says Kim O'Neil, 24, who I chat to on the exhibition floor, she has recently graduated from a degree in Fine Arts and is looking to make the switch to props designer. ‘It's nice to finally see that the world of prop making isn't so unattainable. I have a couple of lists of places and people I can go and talk to as well as courses. Now I know exactly what to do and who to send emails to.’