With limited face-to-face activities possible at the moment, many theatres are turning to online learning to allow students to explore their love for the stage. The National Theatre (NT) is no exception, adapting two of its most inspirational programmes into digital formats.
Widening access
Both the How to be a Producer and the Young Technicians programmes will run in early 2021, allowing young people who may otherwise not have had access to the industry to explore roles in the theatre alongside professional mentors. In the former, students will focus on the practicalities of producing a show, while the basics of sound, lighting and video will be covered in the latter.
‘Had I not taken part in the NT producing course I don't think I would've become a producer when I did,’ enthuses Ameena, who took part in last year's interactive and practical How to be a Producer course for those aged 16–21.
‘It provided an invaluable window into life as a producer through the lived experience of those in the industry,’ she says, ‘building up a network of course mates and industry guests that I'm still in contact with today.’
Hands-on(line)
So, what can those who have applied expect from this digital exploration of roles in the theatre as opposed to the usual face-to-face study Ameena experienced?
‘We want the courses to feel as interactive, collaborative and hands-on as possible,’ says Hannah Cox, NT Young People's Programme manager. ‘Both courses will include a mixture of interactive workshops, demonstrations, Q&As and mentoring with experts across the theatre industry.’
© NT
Young Technicians 2018
‘The participants will learn some of the specialist, practical skills required to produce a show or be a theatre technician. For example, participants on the Young Technicians course (aimed at 14- to 18-year-olds) will receive a kit full of activities and equipment, all suitable to use at home. While on the producing course, the participants will be working in groups throughout to create a pitch for a show or event which they will then present to a panel of industry professionals for questions and feedback.’
Empowering young people
Although applications for 2021 have closed, the NT hopes to encourage a diverse range of participants for future courses: ‘These courses are free to take part in and, furthering the NT's commitment to access, places will be prioritised for young people from Black, Asian and ethnically diverse backgrounds, from working class backgrounds and/or with disabilities. We're also offering additional support for young people at risk of digital exclusion,’ Cox adds.
She also explains that, despite the remote nature of the courses this year, ‘We hope that the young people who take part will finish their course with a whole range of new skills, a network of other brilliant young people who share the same interests, a deeper knowledge and understanding of the theatre industry, and confidence and enthusiasm about working in the creative industries.
‘These courses provide practical skills, advice and insight for the young people interested in working in the creative industries, as well as a fantastic chance to develop transferable skills and confidence which will help any young person make empowered choices about their future.’
Skills in action
That is something Layla, a former student on the NT's Young Technicians programme would certainly agree with: ‘Signing up to Young Technicians was one of the best decisions I ever made. Using the theatre's equipment and learning from the resident technicians I [was able] to build up all the practical knowledge as well as be creative! I got to see skills put into action in an artistic way and contextualise everything I was learning in the broader process of making a show.’
‘This course has helped me in so many ways. It has given me the training and knowledge to be able to access technical theatre and the confidence and experience in using equipment. I've also been blessed with connections and peers – I met Ali on the course and we now run a theatre company together,’ Layla adds.
‘I'm honing my lighting knowledge with the Lumiere team with Rory Beaton and hope to be returning to working behind an ion or jester soon! National Theatre – wait for me, I'm coming!’
Best of both
With that kind of experience and enthusiasm gained, what does the NT expect future years’ courses to look like, given that they will be hosting a virtual Drama Teacher Conference in February and a flexible version of their usual Connections youth festival later in the year?
‘We are very much hoping to work in-person with young people again on the programme, particularly on some of our programmes focused more on design/making and performance,’ Cox explains. ‘However, we are keen to keep some of our digital offers going in the future so that we can continue to work and collaborate with young people and artists from across the UK.’
For more information about the National Theatre's programmes for young people, visit www.nationaltheatre.org.uk/young-people