We have an exciting opportunity for a placement in the Lighting department at the Royal National Theatre.
The National Theatre
The National Theatre is central to the creative life of the country. In its three theatres on the South Bank in London it presents up to 25 new shows a year and productions also play in the West End and on tour. It broadcasts to cinemas worldwide through National Theatre Live, streams plays free to UK schools and produces a wealth of digital content about theatre.
Through an extensive programme of amplifying activities – platform performances, backstage tours, publications, exhibitions and outdoor events – it recognises that theatre doesn't begin and end with the rise and fall of the curtain.
The Lighting Department
The Lighting Department’s vision is to maintain a cohesive, progressive and likeminded team, utilising the wealth of experience and enthusiasm from across the 3 Theatres, Control and Resources teams, allowing each Lighting Designer to experience the same standard of
excellence and support, regardless of which theatre their production is being staged, to realise their design.
The department is led by the Head of Lighting and contains on average 30 staff, including Technical Apprentices, working in the following areas:
* Lighting Operations: venue-based operational staff in each of the 3 theatres consisting of Supervisors, Senior Technicians (supervisory bias) and Technicians.
* Lighting Control: operational staff consisting of Senior Control Technicians and Senior Technicians (programmer bias) who look after the theatre’s programming, and control and networking technology.
* Lighting Resources: run the internal “hire shop” for equipment available to the 3 theatre spaces, supplementing basic rigs for productions. They also take responsibility for events at the NT that require lighting and power such as River Stage, The Deck and Learning events, and support West End transfers and tours where possible.
The Placement
Production placements generally last between 1-3 weeks to allow candidates to experience the day-to-day operation of the lighting department, placements may also be able to get involved with other NT venue productions & Events and Lighting Resources at various stages during their time at the NT. Placement hours are approximately 10am-6pm, Monday to Friday, but with some flexibility; shorter hours when projects are quieter and longer hours around the fit up and tech periods, including occasional Saturday hours. Placements are welcome to use quieter periods to work on own projects/coursework, upon agreement of supervisor.
A successful candidate will have the following:
The ability to demonstrate a high level of initiative, attention to detail and thoroughness
The ability to manage a variety of competing tasks and confident in time management skills
Should be in second or third year of a relevant course in Technical Theatre, preferably Lighting specific, or have relevant appropriate level of lighting experience
Intermediate computer literacy
Basic awareness of electrical safety
Comfortable with working at height (if required)
Please download the role outline here
Please list your availability from May 2024 into your application document, the department is full until then.
**You must include details of your availability in your covering letter document. **
For further queries please email workplacements@nationaltheatre.org.uk
Please note work placements are only available to those who are UK based and aged 18 and over.
We want our workforce to be representative of all sections of society and welcome applications from everyone.