::The Unofficial Dianne Pilkington Forum::

Really sorry if I've posted this in the wrong place but I'm new and slightly stupid (bad excuses I know!)

I was just wondering...I've got the impression that some of you work in theatre (or are training to work in the theatre) and because I am hoping to work in the theatre when I'm older(as a Stage Manager) I was just wondering what you all do and how you got into it!!

I, personally, don't work in theatre but my mom is an actress and father works for tv so my life is connected to that stuff a lot. And I would love to study Media Management and maybe work for theatre one day, too. /random

But yeah, some people here seem to be training to work there.

im training to do theatrical makeup and hope to work in west end theatres one day but im only a year into a three year course so i should ask the same question lol

I've got my heart set on doing a degree in Stage Management but it's been freaking me out cos I've been researching it and you apparently have to have a portfolio and everything. I know experience is v. important but even though I help out with a lot of amateur companies they never let me do anything useful or important! I've only just finished my GCSEs (today actually - woooo! ) so I suppose I have got two/three years to get experience and stuff but its freaking me out cos I dont know how much you need to know before you start a course like that!!!

i think any experience is good no matter how little they allow you to do. the more you help out the more they are likely to let you do.

with my course i have to have a background in 3 different skills to get on the course so i wont start studying the actual makeup for another year

i think any area of the film or theatre industry is so hard to get into you really have to focus and work hard to make it work for you. the more you do for local am dram companies the esier you will find it on your course at uni.

I suppose I'll just have to work hard at it! If only seeing Wicked several times counted as experience!! Your course sounds AMAZING!! Did you have to have a portfolio?

i had to start with gcse art and keep all my things from that, then a years beauty therapy. i start hair dressing this september all as background work for my makeup course. you need proof of artistic ability and everything. i cant wait to start makeup i love it you do the basics in beauty but id love to really go for it and greenify someone!! haha

lol! All the best with your course - it really does sound amazing! - I've got my fingers crossed for you that you do get to greenify someone!!

Oooh, I'm hoping to do a Degree in Stage Management at either Guildford School Of Acting (well production for me, aha) or Mountview Academy, as I'm going to Guildford College next year to do a Technical Theatre National Diploma (:
When they asked for my portfolio they weren't really interested in the contents that much, they were more interested in asking me if I was a 'people person' and what other skills I had. So experience can help with courses, but it's not really everything :]

Thanks for the help! I'm getting all paranoid right now that I'm not doing the right thing and aren't getting enough experience but it really helps to talk to people who actually know about this sorta stuff! Can anyone tell me what the advantages/disadvantages are of doing a Post Grad in Stage Management/Technical Theatre after say...an English degree, rather than getting a BA straight from college/Sixth Form? x

oooh i want to be a stage manager too. ok i was reading the stage and i saw this ad for a deputy stage manager or something at the APOLLO VICTORIA!!! although im only 15 so i dont think they would let me loose with all the technical stuf lol. anyway i emailed the person and asked them if they had any advice and he said take A level drama and theatre studies and get as much experience as possible. yh so thats it really