My week of Work Experience at Eastern Angles
26 June 2024Hey, my name’s Asal and this is my blog about my week here at Eastern Angles Theatre Company! For your information, I’m a year 10 student at Northgate High School and I aspire to be a film actress when I’m older so I picked Eastern Angles as my place of work experience to get a feel of the performance industry as a stepping stone. I believe it’s been insightful week where you can start thinking ahead for the future. Exciting!!!
Before I get started, I just want to say that this week of work has been so different in comparison to school in many senses. Mainly, you hold more control: it’s non-uniform, there’s a lot of choices you have to make instead of them being made for you and you just get on with your scheduled task without the hectic school day. It’s so much more chill and that’s what I’ve enjoyed most. Alongside later mornings. 😊 To be fair, it’s probably different for other office jobs that are stricter but I’ve loved the flexibility here. It’s nice to do new things. Anyways, let’s get started.
DAY 1 – MONDAY🎀
I arrived at Eastern Angles at 10am (which meant two hours more of sleep for me!) and I was immediately welcomed by Kirsty (Engagement Coordinator) who introduced me to some of the team: Emily (Marketing Officer), Jess (General Manager), Neil (Bookkeeper), Steve (Production Manager) and Jake (CEO). Honestly, they were all so nice and friendly and helped me to settle in without judgement.
Afterwards, Kirsty gave me a tour of the theatre and my plan for the week. I love talking to her since she’s so fun but she also knows what she’s doing and she assisted me when I had questions. Love her.
Anyways, my first task was building the Play Library, which was Jake’s idea. So, Kirsty and I found a cute vintage suitcase. I cleaned it up and then designed a cool poster regarding the play library ‘policy’ to display on a stand in the suitcase. Finally, I filled the luggage with the supplied plays and it all worked out. I showcased it in the main entrance lobby on a table next to the sofa so people can just sit down pleasurably and read if they want.
DAY 2 – TUESDAY🎀
My task for the day was to create a new video about the Eastern Angles spaces available for people to hire. I started by making a short list of what I wanted to film. Then Emily and Jess gave me a professional camera (which I’ve never used but I soon got the hang of it) and I filmed the inside and outside of the entire building – this took way longer than I expected! Following that, I began to line up the clips, fit everything into a video and edit it on Final Cut Pro, which I have also never used…
The hires video editing is still a work in progress. Honourable mention to Emily who’s been really handy with the tech and helpful on the days that Kirsty has off. She’s also talked to me about the marketing aspect of the company. Love her too.
DAY 3 – WEDNESDAY🎀
On this day, I came in at 12:30pm and started prepping for the Creative Careers Event planned for the next day. I pinned photos and posters on the display board ready to exhibit and gathered leaflets, bits and bobs, etc. Later on in the day, I was Kirsty’s glamorous assistant at the New Angles Youth Theatre - a lot of fun, excitement and energy with the younger kids. This lot was funny and made me laugh. Adorable.
DAY 4 – THURSDAY🎀
Penultimate day! I met Kirsty and Emily at Dance East for the Wolsey550 Creative Future Fest and I was Kirsty’s glamorous assistant once again! We held workshops giving a taster of what the New Angles Youth Theatres do, this involved a variety of amusing practical exercises with year 7,8 and 9s from many different schools participating, each in rotation. I can’t lie, dealing with younger people all day isn’t my cup of tea but this was entertaining and it was interesting to see how different groups came up with different ideas. A lot of everything at the Creative Future Fest.
DAY 5– FRIDAY🎀
FINAL DAY OF THE WEEK BEFORE THE WEEKEND!!
Today, I’ve been writing this amazing blog (obviously)😊I hope you’ve enjoyed reading it if you’ve made it this far. You totally have.
Anyways, my final task of the week was to complete my school book log. I interviewed Penny (Touring Stage Manager) for a section and she was so lovely and lively.
Eastern Angles have also been kind enough to gift me a play, The Ballad Of Maria Marten. We'll see if it's any good.
Overall it’s been calm here and a pleasure meeting everyone.
Many thanks to everyone who’s been here with me this week.
Asal out.