Press Contact: Chris Baker
chris.baker@theatreroyal.com
15 May 2023
Theatre Royal Plymouth partners with Stage One for National Trainee Producer Placement
Theatre Royal Plymouth is one of several organisations to have partnered up with Stage One as part of their National Trainee Producer Placement Scheme for 2023.
The Trainee Producer Placements offer aspiring producers a 12-month fixed term contract within an established production company or producing theatre.
Stage One launched the National branch of this scheme in 2013 to increase communication and shared knowledge across the subsidised and commercial sectors. The placement not only benefits the producer but also the host theatre/organisation as the producer becomes an additional member of the in-house production team.
Other theatres and producers involved this year are Bristol Old Vic, Northern Stage and Nottingham Playhouse.
Since 2006 Stage One have facilitated:
- 116 paid placements in West End commercial producing offices to 83 producers
- 30 paid placements in Regional houses (launched 2013)
75% of participants in the placement scheme are still actively working in the theatre industry.
Joseph Smith, Chief Executive of Stage One, said: “We are proud to be delivering our National Trainee Producer Placement scheme, now in its tenth year. This scheme offers four emerging producers hands-on training in producing in-house productions, commercial tours and transfers, as well as the opportunity to immerse themselves in the daily activity of four busy producing organisations. The aim is for the trainee producer to support the theatres in all areas of producing, from artistic support to reaching new audiences and support them to capitalise on new commercial opportunities.”
“Hosting a Trainee Producer is brilliant for so many reasons. Opportunities to have someone work with you for 12- months is a rarity in an industry that is so fast-paced and so often from one project to the next. This gives you an opportunity to support, mentor and develop a brilliant emerging producer across a bespoke programme that suits you both. I never take my position for granted, and love supporting producers because it means I’m more understanding of and able to respond to the current climate across our industry. Emerging producers are our future leaders, game changers and the ones who will be putting on the shows you’ll see next – so my advice is to get to know them right away!”
As Theatre Royal Plymouth is the largest regional producing theatre in the UK, it’s passionate about the distinctiveness of the South West, its people and their potential and it aims to reflect them, in all their diversity, by partnering with them to deliver this programme.
For 40 years, TRP has produced and presented professionally-made theatre, opera and dance made locally, nationally, and internationally. Over the last four decades, the theatre has delivered an extensive programme of projects, skills development, training, and performance opportunities on its stages and across the city and region.
James Mackenzie-Blackman, Chief Executive & Executive Producer for Theatre Royal Plymouth said:
“As we continue to develop our producing and co-producing for the months and years ahead, we’re delighted to have been successful in our application to host a Stage One Producer. The combination of TRP’s fantastic team and incredible buildings, Theatre Royal Plymouth and TR2, and the brilliant training offered by Stage One, we are confident we have come together to create a really fantastic opportunity.”
Applications for 2023/24 National placements are currently open and will close on Monday 22 May 2023. More information can be found at theatreroyal.com/hiring.