Big State Work Experience

Our annual work experience project with professional theatre company Big State, in association with the Wyvern Theatre, was yet again an out and out success.

As a performing arts school we endeavor to give our students the very best. With this is in mind I set up this particular annual week six years ago as an alternative to the usual, ‘envelope filling’ scenario that often is all that can be offered. This particular project enables students to work with professionals to understand all aspects and associated jobs that are available in theatre.

This year 17 students from our Creative & Media Diploma and GCSE Drama students took part. They created their company name which was called Little Big Productions and delegated jobs from actors to publicity and tech. They did a dummy run at  applying for funding and at the end of the week presented their show, ‘Big Box’ to friends and relatives in Studio One of the Wyvern Theatre. I would like to say thank you to the Wyvern for once again giving us the space and for working in partnership with the school. The feedback from students was most interesting:

“It was an amazing experience as it helped me with my confidence and developed my directing skills,” Bianca Prinz.
“It was excellent because I learnt how a theatre company works,” Ronnie Hammond.

Josie Williams, Community Arts Development Officer

Feedback from students

"Mark and John made us feel more confident with in the group," Korin.

"It was a good project, it was very hands on and it gave me a good opportunity to experience different jobs in theatre," Jack

"I had a lot of fun! Thank you so much Big State, I feel I have learnt a lot," Sam.

"I really enjoyed the project, I found it very interesting," Charlotte

"This week gave me an insight into how the drama industry works,"

"I think it was a great experience that helped me become better at drama," Jordan

"I enjoyed it very much, it was a fantastic experience and I got to work with people and equipment that I would usually not be able to. Overall it was excellent," Dominic

"Very good! It was very different to what I expected it allowed me to see how theatre works behind the scenes," Kari