Information for Potential Host Regional Theatres, Producers and Organisations

APPRENTICE SCHEME FOR NEW PRODUCERS

Regional/subsidised – Apprenticeships 2017 - 2018

Information for potential host regional theatres, producers and organisations

“Working as the Stage One Regional Apprentice Producer at Theatr Clwyd in North Wales is an incredible opportunity for me to develop my skills as a Producer. There is little other chance for emerging producers to experience at first hand the challenges faced by regional theatres today, and to make a contribution to a building undergoing a period of radical change such as Theatr Clwyd. The scheme allows flexibility to work on both commercial work as well as other projects run by the theatre which I have a particular interest in. The scheme is also invaluable in terms of making contacts in the industry.” - Nick Stevenson, Stage One Regional Apprentice Producer at Theatr Clwyd
“The Mercury Theatre is delighted to have been chosen as a host venue for a regional apprentice. We recognise the excellent work that Stage One does in training the producers of the future and we are greatly looking forward to nurturing and supporting the successful candidate through a year as diverse, exciting and entertaining as the work we produce here in Colchester.” – Tracey Childs, Producer at the Mercury Theatre Colchester (Regional host 2015-16)

Regional (subsidised) Apprenticeships for new commercial theatre producers

Since 2013, Stage One, the charity dedicated to developing the next generation of theatre producers, has facilitated a highly successful regional Apprentice scheme. Over the past 3 years; 6 outstanding commercial producers have had 12 month placements at venues including Leicester Curve, Mercury Theatre and West Yorkshire Playhouse. This year Stage One are delighted to be able to support 3 placements thanks to the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and Luke Johnson.

Their support will fund the total cost of placing 3Apprentices in regional subsidised venues and for a period of 12 months each.

The aims are;

• to identify the best opportunities regionally to fulfil the aims of the initiative. Regional producers must be able to expose Apprentices to high quality, potentially commercial work and/or allow them to develop the commercial aspirations of the organisation across co-productions, touring and/or transfers.
• (Whilst the deadline for applying is Friday 30th September, the success of the Apprentice scheme is dependent on the work the host producer is able to offer. Therefore, if you have a forthcoming production later in 2017 that is ripe for an Apprentice, you can apply now but stipulate that you won’t require the Apprentice to start until later in the year.)
• to have a full job description and personal specification written by the host and agreed by Stage One
• to market the selected opportunities widely and especially within the region of the host. It will be the joint responsibility of Stage One and the host organisation to undertake this process.
• Stage One is keen to reach out to emerging producers outside of London and to offer them the opportunities to develop their skills with a host producer in their local area.
• Stage One will shortlist an agreed number of candidates from the application process and then the host will shortlist further and then conduct interviews
• to recruit 3 outstanding candidates to spend 12 months in a regional subsidised theatre and/or organisation which has under-exploited commercial aspirations.

• to provide the Apprentice with an experienced mentor in the host organisation and in the commercial sector.

What will success look like?

1. Stage One will graduate 3 outstanding entrepreneurial Apprentices who have developed their knowledge through hands-on experience and increased their commercial contacts.
2. Both Apprentices will be working within the subsidized sector following graduation or be working across both commercial and subsidized sectors.
3. The subsidized houses we work with will be more ambitious in their plans to exploit more of their work and ALL will acknowledged the importance of the Apprentices, funded by The Esmeé Fairbairn Foundation, in supporting this cultural change.

Ultimately the aim is to create the future lifeblood of the theatre industry and ensure that the UK’s stages continue to be full of outstanding product for years to come.

How does it work?

1. Regional producers/organisations wishing to host an Apprentice must complete the following form, describing in detail the job role the Apprenticecould undertake and the type/s of work being developed/produced during a specific time period with strong commercial potential(plays/musicals/tours) or should detail the current body of work that has under-exploited commercial initiative.
2. This will then be assessed by the Stage One Bursary Panel as to whether or not the placement on offer is appropriate to fulfil the aims of the scheme.
3. Mentors must be a senior producing staff member who has a firm responsibility to the Apprentice, to meet with themregularly throughout each month, to assess progress and actively ensure gaps are covered with hands-on learning. At the completion of each month the Apprentice must complete a form detailing their learning which each Mentor will sign.
4. It is important that the Mentor communicates to the rest of the staff in the office that an Apprentice is not an intern.
5. Preferably the Apprentice will work on more than onecommercially viable production or be be highly involved in exploring new commercial avenues for the organisation to ensure they receive the right level of training.
6. The Apprentice Skills Checklist* below gives an idea of the types of roles/skills an Apprentice should be able to achieve/work on throughout their placement.

Finance and Administration

• The Apprentice will be treated as an employee of the regional theatre/organisation and put on the payroll with a salary of £19,000.
• Stage One will give an up-front ‘grant’ to the regional theatre/organisationof £20,503.60* to cover the entire cost of their salary.
• Regional producerswill contract the Apprentice as an employee and Stage One will add additional clauses where necessary.
• Stage One and the production office will also have a contract provided by Stage One.
• The Regional producer will agree to submit a full report to Stage One at the end of the placement.

*Table 1

Figures based on Gross Salary of £19,000 p.a
(Based on standard tax code and current tax rates)
Monthly / Per year
Gross / 1583.33 / 19000
Employers NI / 127.79 / 1503.60
Total Cost / 1708.96 / 20503.60
Stage One contribution / 1708.96 / 20503.60
Host contribution / 0 / 0

Apprentice Skills Check-List*

An Apprentice working within a production office should not be used as a general intern. They are there to fulfil the role of Associate Producer/Production Co-Ordinator whilst simultaneously learning all the skills needed to give them the confidence (on completion of their time within an office) to produce their own shows.

• An Apprentice should be involved in all aspects of production and ideally get to work on two or more shows.
• Meetings: They should be able to attend production, casting and marketing meetings where appropriate and be actively involved in tasks, once the producer isconfident in their ability.
• Negotiation: If appropriate, they should be given the opportunity to gain experience in speaking/corresponding directly with agentsand learn how to negotiate small deals with clear boundaries set by the production team under supervision.
• Casting:Where appropriate, they should be able to witness the casting process.
• Investment: They should be involved in the investment process; including writing/assisting on the prospectus and investor agreements.
• Contracts:They should have exposure to a range of artist/venue contracts and work/edit real contracts with the approval of the producer.
• Budgets/Recoupment schedules:The Apprentice should be able to work on/have access to Budgets and perhaps work with their mentor to create their own budget for a show.
• Production Assistant Role: They also should undertake the role of a production assistant and be responsible for booking rehearsal rooms, house seat requests, provide general admin support to the producers/ production office.
• Mentoring: An Apprentice should have at least one meeting per month with their Mentor to go over progress and assess any gaps in learning that needs to be covered. A report should be completed and sent to Stage One.
• Confidentiality: In order for the Apprentice to gain as much experience as possible, Stage One understands the necessity for the Apprentice to handle all confidential material with complete discretion and host producers can add any clause into their Apprentice’s contract.

If you can offer most of the above to an Apprentice and would like to register your interest or have any questions, please call or email on 020 7557 6737 or .

To formally apply for the opportunity to take on an Apprentice, please complete the application form and email it to .