BACKSTAGE APPRENTICESHIP SCHEME – SUMMER 2017

LIGHTING, SOUND, STAGE MANAGEMENT & CONSTRUCTION WORKSHOP

Starting July 1^st 2017 for 12 months; minimum of 30 hours per week; £3.50 per hour.  Open to 18-25 year olds.   We particularly welcome applicants from BAME communities as they are under-represented within the backstage departments.

GENERAL DUTIES :

=         Act as apprentice to the Department, undertaking such tasks as may be determined from time to time by the Head of Department and/or other theatre staff in pursuance of achieving the Learning Outcomes below

=         Undertake all off-the-job training

=         Manual handling, moving sets, properties and equipment

=         Keep a written record of tasks and training undertaken throughout the Apprenticeship

=         Attend regularly scheduled meetings and report on progress

=         Be diligent and punctual in attending all work and/or training sessions

=         Behave in a safe and responsible manner at all times

=         Ensure compliance with the theatre's Equal Opportunities and Health & Safety policies at all times

=         Liaise with other apprentices involved in the Backstage Apprenticeships project

=         Take part in any promotional or publicity activity related to the Backstage Apprenticeships project

=         Undertake any other relevant duties as may be identified by the Head of Department from time to time

LEARNING OUTCOMES - LIGHTING APPRENTICESHIP:

=         An understanding of lighting design

=         An awareness of the importance of the working script as the basic source for lighting design, effects and cues.

=         Understand and be experienced in the safe use of electricity and have knowledge of the appropriate use of A/C, D/C, single phase and three phase power supplies

=         Create and use lighting plots and cues

=         Ability to read and interpret a lighting rig plan

=         Rig, focus and have knowledge of conventional lanterns

=         Practical knowledge of contemporary equipment, including scrollers, moving lights, DMX and current developments in lighting technology

=         Knowledge and experience of follow spot operation, stage electrics, smoke machines

=         Ability to prepare and provide electrical props, both battery and mains, that are safe and suitable for production

=         Ability to maintain electrical equipment

=         A working knowledge and awareness of current Health & Safety rules and regulations appropriate to self and the working environment

LEARNING OUTCOMES - SOUND APPRENTICESHIP:

=         An understanding of sound design and the roles of a sound designer, sound engineer and sound operator

=         Ability to access artistic requirements and undertake appropriate research

=         Awareness of the importance of the working script and/or score as the basic source for sound design, effects and cues

=         Understand and be experienced in the safe use of electricity in theatre sound applications

=         Understand the use of current sound control systems

=         Create and use sound plots and cues

=         Read and interpret a sound rig plan

=         Safely and correctly rig a basic sound system for recording, live mixing and playback, understanding the function of each item of equipment

=         Practical knowledge of contemporary equipment, including digital and analogue recording, editing, EQ units, samplers and microphones, and an awareness of other current developments in sound technology

=         Ability to maintain sound equipment

=         A working knowledge and awareness of current Health & Safety rules and regulations appropriate to self and the working environment

LEARNING OUTCOMES - STAGE MANAGEMENT APPRENTICESHIP:

=         Understanding of a Stage Management department and the different roles within the team

=         Experience and knowledge of the Stage Management team in the creative process and the teams’ relationship with the director, performers and other members of the creative and production teams

=         Experience and understanding of the use of the script and the rehearsal process as a source of information for the production

=         Experience and knowledge of tasks and responsibilities relating to the rehearsal process, including prompt book, mark up, running rehearsal, rehearsal calls, costume fitting calls, rehearsal notes, prop lists, setting lists, running plots, cue sheets and production meetings

=         Experience and knowledge of tasks and responsibilities relating to the production period, including get in, fit up, plotting, technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and pastoral care of the performing company

=         Experience and knowledge of tasks and responsibilities relating to rehearsal and performance, including duties relating to Health and Safety, the audience, contracts, pre-show checks, warm ups, pre-sets, stage maintenance, calls, performance staff and performers, and show reports

=         Experience and knowledge of the research and acquisition of props and furniture required for rehearsals and performance through borrowing, hiring and purchasing

=         Experience and knowledge of basic prop making

=         A working knowledge and awareness of current Health & Safety rules and regulations appropriate to self and the working environment

LEARNING OUTCOMES - CONSTRUCTION WORKSHOP APPRENTICESHIP:

=         Understanding of a Workshop department and the different roles within the team

=         Experience and knowledge of the workshop team in the creative process and the teams’ relationship with the designer and other members of the creative and production teams

=         Experience and understanding of the use of the script and the design process as a source of information for the production

=         Experience and knowledge of tasks and responsibilities relating to the design process, including white card model and finished model, rehearsal notes, prop lists and production meetings

=         Experience and knowledge of tasks and responsibilities relating to the production period, including get in, fit up, plotting, technical rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and pastoral care of the performing company

=         Experience and knowledge of the research and acquisition of props and furniture required for rehearsals and performance through borrowing, hiring and purchasing

=         Experience and knowledge of steel fabrication, including cutting and welding

=         Experience and knowledge of construction of timber flats, cladding and canvassing

=         Experience and knowledge of woodworking machinery

=         Experience and knowledge of appropriate woodworking joints and fixing methods used in set construction

=         Experience and knowledge of basic prop making and prop finishing

=         A working knowledge and awareness of current Health & Safety rules and regulations appropriate to self and the working environment

PURPOSE:

• Supporting the theatre’s strategies to increase participation and learning through theatre
• Creating a link between the theatre, young people, schools, colleges and communities
• Engaging young people in developing their creative, communication and performance skills

AIMS OF ROLE:

• The main aim of this role is to focus on work within the SEN sector and YPWLD
• Developing and delivering projects with a range of partners including schools and community settings
• Working with participants who have a range of needs
• Devising learning programmes to support the REP’s artistic objectives
• Delivering workshops in formal education and community settings

KEY INTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS:         

Associate Director, Head of Education, Learning & Participation Staff, Artistic Director, Head of Marketing & Communications & team, Development team, Arts Team staff

KEY EXTERNAL RELATIONSHIPS:        

Open Theatre Company, several Special Schools, Arts Connect

The REP’s MISSION:

Birmingham Repertory Theatre is a local theatre with an international reach, acting as a cultural hub in the centre of Birmingham with the mission:

To create a vibrant programme of performance work that enriches the lives of the wide range of communities we serve and inspires artists to make their best work with us.

JOB REQUIREMENTS & RESPONSIBILITIES:

This is a role for a practitioner with excellent workshop delivery and practical teaching skills to deliver strategic learning programmes for one of the most innovative and exciting regional repertory theatres in the UK.

This post has been created as part of the Open REP network. Open REP is a new special schools’ network which has been created by The REP in partnership with Open Theatre Company. OTC has been developing theatre with young people and children with learning disabilities, within the education sector and beyond for many years. The Open REP network will enable us to expand our offer to an increased number of special schools in the city and reach a significant number of young people with learning disabilities who can often find themselves excluded from mainstream arts provision.

The Education Officer will work as part of an integrated learning and participation team. S/he will work closely with the Head of Education to devise learning programmes that strategically link the work of the theatre to young people, the formal education sector and local communities. A clear understanding of both the cultural diversity and disability agendas within the arts is necessary.

Working with the Head of Education, s/he will mainly develop and deliver a programme of activity for local special schools adhering to best practise guidelines and school policy and developing performance skills and encouraging self-expression through all activities.

S/he will work closely with colleagues in the Learning & Participation team to benefit from the collective knowledge and experience of the team and to ensure that developments in arts education theory and practice are actively sought and shared. 

A highly creative individual with a keen external focus, the postholder must have exceptional leadership skills, the ability to manage a complex range of projects and relationships and a sophisticated understanding of the learning and theatre sectors. S/he will have a broad experience of working in partnerships and possess good project management skills. 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

=         Working with the Head of Education, other Education Officers and school staff, plan, prepare and deliver a programme of projects in schools with a focus on special school provision

=         Work in collaboration with other members of staff to develop and manage artistic projects

=         Monitor, assess and record work according to relevant criteria provided schools, funders and The REP

=         Report to potential stakeholders through documentation and by attendance at consultation and open events

=         Maintain an up-to-date awareness of the subject area, educational/industry advances, and personal and professional development

=         Attend school meetings and INSET where relevant

=         Support and promote partners’ codes of practice regarding discipline, professional conduct and equality of opportunity

Strategy, Planning & Delivery

=         Engage with L&P team members to create, monitor and review the theatre’s learning and participation strategy within the context of the artistic policy from the perspective of learning disability

=         Devise and deliver a learning programme that reflects a commitment to life-long learning and offers a broad and equal range of opportunity

=         Deliver projects and activity in REP partner organisations such as schools and community organisations.

=         Maintain a keen awareness of developments in arts education and endeavour to ensure that The REP is leading in such areas.

=         Report and feedback to the L&P team and the wider organisation on developments with partners and maintain a high profile internally for this area of work

=         Ensure that diversity and access are positively considered in all aspects of the role

Team Working

=         Actively engage with the Arts Team to contribute to and consider developments in programming

=         Maintain a strong working relationship with the marketing and  communications team, ensuring that all activities are suitably publicised, newsworthy activity is profiled and that young people inform marketing strategy and web content

=         Support and promote all company policy, with specific attention to Equality, Diversity, Customer Care, Safeguarding, Health and Safety and Data Protection.

=         All other duties as reasonably requested to ensure the smooth management of the Learning and Participation Team.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

COMPETENCIES:

=         Achieving Results – actively contributes to organisational success at various levels

=         Creativity – confident in providing new ideas and concepts

=         Communication – ensures good flow of relevant information to create mutual understanding

=         Dealing With Difficult Situations – steers people toward a constructive outcome

=         Interpersonal skills – actively communicates through listening and understanding

=         Safety Orientation – actively considers the safety and wellbeing of self, customers and staff

=         Working With Others – brings people together, shares information, builds trust

Background:      

The Props Supervisor works as part of a broader production team to deliver the properties needs of all productions, events and activities inside and outside of the building.

The aim of your job is:

=         To supervise all autumn show props making

=         To manufacture, modify and repair theatre props to a high standard

=         To maintain a safe, efficient and cost effective props workshop.

=         To provide excellent customer service to design teams at to The REP

=         To maintain standards of quality in all areas of work

=         To ensure excellent communication between departments and teams

=         To actively contribute to the running of the Props Department

What your main duties cover:  

=         To work to drawings, photographs, models together with designers, Heads of Department and senior Workshop and Stage Management staff to deliver the props requirement of each production.

=         To ensure manufacture, modification and repair of props is correctly and efficiently carried out in accordance with safe working and manufacturing practices.

=         To use appropriate, hand and machine tools to effect the manufacture, repair and modification of props.

=         To liaise with other departments and act collaboratively.

=         To maximise income and minimise expenditure wherever possible.

=         To ensure good housekeeping of the workshop areas, including adequate clean-up periods and the effective storage of tools, materials and scenery.

=         To liaise with the Head of Workshop, set and prop designers in order to realise the designs

=         To attend design and Company and Production and other meetings as relevant to this post

GENERAL

=         Maintain a high standard of appearance when working with the public.

• Liaise with relevant Library of Birmingham staff as and when necessary.
• Support and promote all company policy, with specific attention to Equality & Diversity, Customer Care, Health & Safety and Data Protection.
• Ensure a safe working environment is maintained at all times with particular regard to the health, safety and welfare of customers, visitors, staff and yourself.
• Support the organisation and its staff through the effective use of the performance management system.
• Any other reasonable duties required to ensure the smooth running of the Production Department.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential Skills and Attributes:

COMMUNICATION AND WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

=         Ability to supervise a small team, lead on group projects and delegate tasks appropriately.

=         Capacity to work effectively with others, including internal and external colleagues and creative teams.

=         Ability to build a rapport.

=         Be a good listener.

=         Good negotiation skills.

=         Ability to use language and drawings to communicate ideas.

DISPOSITION AND ATTITUDE

=         Positive, proactive, self motivated and flexible approach.

=         Genuine interest in the Arts.

=         Ability to cope with physically demanding work.

=         A willingness to work evenings, overnight and at weekends when necessary.

=         Comfortable working at heights.

=         To have a desire to learn and develop.

=         Be able to show initiative and resilience when dealing with change.

MANAGEMENT OF WORKLOAD

=         Able to manage time effectively and prioritise tasks.

• Be a logical and effective problem solver and decision maker.

=         Able to carry out work under pressure and maintain good humour.

HEALTH AND SAFETY

=         Promote a positive health and safety culture within the department.

=         Be up to date with relevant legislation.

JOB SPECIFIC SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

ESSENTIAL:

=         Extensive knowledge and experience of prop making techniques

=         Experience of props buying/sourcing

=         Painting and finishing skills

DESIRABLE:

=         First Aid certificate

=         Full, clean driving license

=         Welding / Fabrication qualification

=         Carpentry qualification

=         Apprenticeship in a relevant trade

=         AutoCAD and Microsoft Office literate

Competencies:

The REP uses a competency framework to describe the abilities and personal attributes that are displayed by people who are successful in this particular position.  We use the framework during selection, performance appraisals and change management processes.

=         Achieving Results – actively contributes to organisational success at various levels

=         Customer Orientation – positively influences customer opinions and behaviour

=         Safety Orientation – actively considers the safety and wellbeing of self, customers and staff

=         Ability To Work On Own Initiative – responds to challenges and takes responsibility

=         Communication – ensures good flow of relevant information to create mutual understanding

=         Flexibility – supports success through being prepared to change

=         Team working – works collaboratively with others to achieve common goals

=         Time Management – plans and exercises control over time allocated to activities