Stage One is partnering with Birmingham Hippodrome, Hull Truck Theatre, MAST Mayflower Studios and Sheffield Theatres to deliver their Regional Trainee Producer Placement Scheme for 2022.
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 or organisation, as the producer becomes an additional member of the in house production team.
Since 2006, Stage One has facilitated 112 paid placements in West End commercial producing offices to 79 producers and 26 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 pleased to be back delivering our Trainee Producer placement scheme now that theatre doors are open after the uncertainty of the last two years. This scheme will offer four emerging producers hands-on training and the opportunity to produce in-house productions, commercial tours and transfers, as well as immerse themselves in the daily activity of these busy organisations. In turn, we hope that the addition of a trainee producer can support the theatres with resources needed to plan commercial opportunities alongside building back their local audiences.”
Birmingham Hippodrome
As the cultural beating heart of the city, Birmingham Hippodrome reaches over one million people a year through an on and off-stage programme of work, digital presence, and performances in Birmingham and beyond.
Long recognised as one of the UK’s premier presenting theatres, the past three years have seen Birmingham Hippodrome develop into a creative producing organisation focused on access, diversity and inclusion, doubling their impact to match their annual audience of 550,000 with a further 450,000 people engaged via festivals, learning, participation and produced work, including their 2019 youth musical West Side Story, award-winning co-production with Curve of The Color Purple and forthcoming collaboration with Rambert on Peaky Blinders: The Redemption of Thomas Shelby.
With 10 Associate Companies, the Hippodrome produces and commissions bold new work, telling fresh and engaging stories, reflecting the youth and diversity of the city and region.
The Hippodrome is also the largest dance campus outside London, home to Birmingham Royal Ballet (led by Carlos Acosta), DanceXchange, Dance Consortium, OneDanceUK and digital agency The Space.
Chris Sudworth, Director of Artistic Programme at Birmingham Hippodrome said: “We are thrilled to be working with Stage One to welcome a Trainee Producer into our team at Birmingham Hippodrome. Their passion, ideas, creativity and commitment to bringing bold new stories to both of our stages, on tour nationally and into the heart of communities will be an asset to our venue and our city. The Trainee Producer will gain insight into a unique organisation that is renowned as one of the UK’s leading presenting theatres and increasingly as a producer of award-winning live theatre, festivals and learning experiences, committed to access, diversity and inclusion. We are excited to meet people interested in joining us in a year where Birmingham welcomes the world for the Commonwealth Games and as we showcase new work of all scales made here, throughout the UK and beyond.”
Hull Truck Theatre
Hull Truck Theatre is a pioneering theatre with a unique Northern voice, locally rooted, global in outlook, inspiring artists, audiences and communities to reach their greatest potential. Their vision is to produce and present inspiring theatre that reflects the diversity of a modern Britain. To provide the resources, space and support to grow people and ideas, be an ambassador for our city, a flagship for our region and a welcoming home for our communities.
In 2022 we celebrate 50 years of Hull Truck Theatre. We’re doing this by focusing on the thing that makes Hull Truck Theatre magic – the people. Without our supportive audiences, generous funders, talented artists, passionate participants and dedicated staff, this theatre wouldn’t have kept its place at the heart of Hull’s creative core for half a century. With the inspiring leadership of Mark Babych (Artistic Director) and Janthi Mills-Ward (Executive Director), the theatre is on the next stage of its exceptional journey, creating a vibrant 21st-century cultural organisation.
Adam Pownall, Senior Producer for Hull Truck Theatresaid: “We are excited to have the opportunity to work with Stage One and offer this placement during a flagship season celebrating 50 years of Hull Truck Theatre. We are keen to add a new voice to our artistic team to help us bring unique stories to our stages whilst gaining valuable insight into our in-house productions, programming of our two theatre spaces, talent development and continue to grow our passion for culture, diversity, and inclusion. The Trainee Producer will have the opportunity to learn alongside our nurturing and collaborative team and be connected into our various networks locally, regionally and nationally.”
MAST Mayflower Studios
MAST is a multi-art form cultural hub presenting and producing theatre, dance, musicals, music, comedy, circus, cabaret, spoken word, visual arts and family shows. MAST’s vision is to be nationally recognised in providing Inspiring Experiences. They aim to:
- Preserve and maintain MAST for the community and provide a diverse programme of quality arts experiences
- Be valuable to the community and local cultural offer as a creative hub and centre of excellence for culture in Southampton
- Be community led with engagement and consultation at its heart
MAST Mayflower Studios is the partner venue of Mayflower Theatre, Southampton and is operated under the registered company name Mayflower Academy Ltd. The Mayflower Theatre Trust established Mayflower Academy Ltd to operate MAST Mayflower Studios to be a key cultural partner within the City, and to be an integral part of Southampton’s UK City of Culture 2025 bid.
Jamie Smith, Creative Producer of MAST Mayflower Studios said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer a Trainee Producer placement here at MAST Mayflower Studios through Stage One at an extremely exciting time for the organisation. Having personally experienced the wonderful workshops and support network Stage One provides, I’m eager to see not only what the successful candidate will learn whilst here but also what they will be able to bring to our team. In a post-pandemic world, recognising and nurturing future talent will be essential not only for an individual’s personal development, but also for the health, wealth and prosperity of the Theatre Industry and its networks, particularly in the regions. With multiple in-house productions and co-productions in the pipeline for the next 18 months, as well as a wealth of knowledge to be imparted by a supportive and collaborative team, this placement provides on the job training and real opportunity for input into our vision of inspiring experiences.”
Sheffield Theatres
Sheffield Theatres is home to three theatres: the Crucible, the Sheffield landmark with a world-famous reputation; the Studio, an intimate, versatile space for getting closer to the action; and the gleaming Lyceum, the beautiful proscenium that hosts the best of the UK’s touring shows. Committed to investing in the creative leaders of the future, Sheffield Theatres’ dedicated talent development hub, The Bank, opened in 2019 to support a new cohort of emerging directors, writers and producers every year.
John Tomlinson, Producer at Sheffield Theatres said: “We’re delighted to be able to host a Stage One Trainee Producer at Sheffield Theatres for 12-months. These opportunities are vital for the development of the next generation of talented leaders and we’re excited to support someone’s journey. I know from personal experience that this scheme can be the catalyst to a career in this industry – and if you’re wondering whether to apply, wonder no more and introduce yourself to us.”
Stage One is a charity whose work would not be possible without the support of many generous individuals, businesses, trusts and foundations.
Applications for 2022/23 placements are now open and close on Monday 7 March 2022. The application form can be found on the Stage One website as well as information on their other development programmes.
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