Resource Reviews: RSC Next Generation Introduces

The Royal Shakespeare Company is supporting young people who are interested in pursuing a career in the theatre with their Next Generation Programme. As part of the initiative, RSC has partnered with Samsung to produce a series of videos to educate and inform young people on what jobs are out there in the theatre industry, and the varied routes you can take to get there. The series is easy to watch, while being incredibly useful, demystifying the crucial roles that may take place in the wings, rehearsal rooms or at the lighting desk of a production.

Each video starts with an introduction from RSC director Robin Belfield or theatre director Abigail Sewell, who introduce the role of the episode, how it fits into the larger jigsaw of a production and highlight some of the different routes into the targeted profession. From there, videos vary slightly with different guests who explain their experience. For example, ‘The Director’ is more of a Q&A format with RSC's deputy artistic director Erica Whyman who is quizzed with questions from school students, spliced with short videos from directors across the country who donate top tips for aspiring young directors. The films are extremely clear and concise, breaking down even the most fundamental elements of theatre such as the definition of the terms ‘costume’ and ‘set’ in a surprisingly uncondescending way.

I think this is a spectacular resource for young people looking to enter the creative industry and is something I wish I had been shown while in higher education. In many scenarios, a vision of a career in the theatre industry can often be condensed into the role of an actor on stage, with the myth that drama school is strictly necessary for all theatre-based roles. This resource is the perfect option for teachers whose students are searching for career options in the field, without making a path seem unreachable or scary for those taking their first steps into the world of work.

While the films have covered directors, designers, marketing representatives, press officers, lighting designers and technicians so far, they will be releasing videos on theatre education and digital theatre later in the year. The RSC deserve applause for lifting the curtain on the variety of roles in theatre, and for encouraging the next generation to forge a path in this creative industry.

View the resource at www.rsc.org.uk/education/next-generation/next-generation-introduces