Work Experience with Big State Theatre Company

Each year many teenagers across the country take part in a work experience week to enable them to get a feel for participating in the work environment.

The Commonweal School, a performing arts college, have come up with a different approach for some of their students with an interest in performing. “I wanted to create an opportunity for young people to get as much as possible out of this week and not simply end up licking envelopes. The idea developed for the students to work with professionals to create their own theatre company. This included coming up with a company name, a mission statement, filling in a grant application forms, developing ideas for scripts, plot development, multimedia, staging, lighting and sound techniques. Each student was allocated a task from director to publicity officer. Big State Theatre led the sessions and our partners The Wyvern Theatre donated the use of Studio One.” Commented Josie Williams, Community Arts Development Officer. “The feedback from students has been fantastic.” She added.

“We called our company CIA which stands for ‘Comedy In Action’ and the piece we devised was called ‘Straight Outta Guildford.’ It was about a boy who moved from Swindon to Guildford and fitting in to a new school. The play was about stereo types and how people see younger peoples and how we see each other.” Said Joely Woolford, aged 15.

“Big State treated us like adults and gave us independence and confidence. The week was great and much more creative than working in somewhere like Sainsburys.” Commented Tom Fletcher, aged 16.

‘Straight Outta Guildford’ was performed to an invited audience at the end of the week and as their play was of such a high standard Josie invited them to perform at the school’s Evenings of Entertainment on December
5th & 6 th. Prior to that they performed to Yr 10 & Yr 11 to inspire and entertain. Judging by the laughter they did
just that!

" Big State had the pleasure to work with a very talented group of young people. They created their own theatre company and devised a very funny and intelligent piece of theatre which included some marvellous use of film. Throughout the week the young people worked with professional actors and directors from Big State Theatre learning all aspects of running a theatre company. It was an intense and hard working week, but all concerned got a lot out of it and created a great show. A fantastic group of young people with very promising careers ahead of them." Mark Bishop from Big State.