TRP Stories: Abi Jones

Abi Jones is a production manager apprentice at Theatre Royal Plymouth (TRP). The role, which she began in 2022 and is now half way through, is funded by the Cameron Mackintosh Foundation and is the equivalent of a Master’s degree. Following the pandemic, the Cameron Mackintosh Foundation saw a potential gap of technicians and production professionals within the industry and created a national programme to reintroduce people into those roles.

Before her current role, Abi was already a familiar face at TRP having previously worked as a receptionist at TRP’s Production & Learning Centre, TR2, and at Stage Door at the theatre.

Knowing she wanted to work in the industry, Abi attended Marjons as a mature student and completed three years actor training. After graduating, she became a freelance stage manager, working a lot with the Barbican Theatre and taking mid-scale tours around the country.

However, Abi’s first taste of theatre came a lot earlier. She said: “My first experience of theatre was when I was about four. I lived in Lostwithiel and did a small community pantomime. I read one line and apparently stole the show! It was a good omen for rest of my theatre life.

“As a young child, I loved the creativity and working with lots people gave me confidence. As a young adult, I drifted away from theatre, but there was something in me that kept drawing me back.

“When I first worked for TRP, I loved welcoming people into the building and seeing all the fabulous work that was happening within TR2 including in the workshop and wardrobe, and then moving to the theatre, I got to see the other side of the spectrum and the process of getting the shows up onto the stage. I really enjoyed meeting a variety of people at different stages of their journey.”

Now, as production manager apprentice, Abi oversees scheduling and budgets for productions and maintains the link between the creative team, the producing team and the technical team to ensure a show gets up and running.

Abi said: “Most recently, I worked on The Artist, which was an amazing experience. I spent some time in London during rehearsals and supported the show when it came to the Lyric. It was an eye-opener into larger scale theatre shows and I learnt a lot about the technical requirements and the expectations of the cast and crew from all involved.

“Prior to that, I worked on Father Christmas, which I also loved. I learnt more about working on smaller scale shows and how you remount a show that already has a specific blueprint and adapt it to fit into a specific space.

“I’m currently working on the TR2’s 21^st birthday production, The Key, which, again, brings its own complexities. It’s got a large cast of young people and community performers and we’re going to take over the whole building, which is extremely exciting.”

Abi’s dream is to work as a production manager across the south west.  She said: “We create amazing theatre in the region, particularly here at TRP. Theatre Royal Plymouth will always have a special place in my heart.”

Watch Abi’s video: