Questions and Answers with Beth

What do you do?
I’m the Education and Outreach Manager, which basically means I’m responsible for leading and developing the theatre’s programme of arts activities. It’s my job to make sure that there are plenty of arts projects and activities for people of all ages to get involved with both at the theatre and in other locations in the local community.

How long have you been at it?
About 3 ½ years

What was your very first role in theatre?
Well my first role in theatre was probably when I said my first poem on stage in the Brisbane Eisteddfod when I was 4 years old! I think it was about mice or something like that. Then when I was in high school I had a work experience placement at a theatre in my hometown of Bribane.

What else have you done in theatre?
I have worked as a stage manager for a local Operatic Society, but this is my first full time position in a theatre. I have the opportunity to see something grow from an initial idea into a project with lots of people of all ages involved and enjoying themselves. It’s really rewarding.

Have you got qualifications?
I have university degrees in Drama and Education from QUT (Queensland University of Technology) as well as an Assosciate Diploma of Speech and Drama from Trinity College London. I have Overseas Qualified Teacher Status from the UK Teacher Training Agency and a certicifate in Marketing and Communication from CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing).

I have also completed courses in First Aid, Child Protection and Leadership and Management.

What did you do before you worked in theatre?
I worked as a Drama and English teacher in an English high school for 3 years and I was also the Assistant Head of Sixth Form at the same school. I also worked as a Drama and English teacher in an Australian high school and taught Speech and Drama in an Australian primary school.

"I have the opportunity to see something grow from an initial idea into a project with lots of people of all ages involved and enjoying themselves. It’s really rewarding."

How did you make the move to working in theatre?
I have always loved theatre and not just the end product, but everything that goes into making theatre. So I had always imagined that I would work in a theatre at some point in my life, but I was never quite sure what I would be doing.

When I saw this job advertised I thought it was the perfect opportunity to work in an industry that I loved and to use my teaching experience to create educational theatre projects. So I applied and here I am!

What did you want to be when you grew up?
When I was really little I wanted to be a lawyer or a mermaid – it changed almost daily! When I was in high school I wanted to be an actress and then I went for my audition for Drama school and they told me about this new course they were offering where you studied for 4 years and came out with a degree in Drama and one in Education and that sounded too good to miss.

The further I got into my Education degree the more I discovered that I loved teaching and working with young people and so I became a Drama teacher.

What do you do all day?
No two days are the same, which makes my work really interesting. I have days where I am at my desk planning and organising projects and activities. Then other days when I am running backstage tours and workshops or meeting with teachers and members of other arts organisations. Then there are evenings and weekends when I am running events like our Youth Theatre showcases or our dance platform event.

What’s the best thing about your job?
I have the opportunity to see something grow from an initial idea into a project with lots of people of all ages involved and enjoying themselves. It’s really rewarding.

And the worst?
We all work long and unusual hours here and we don’t get paid very well in comparison to a number of other professions. You do get used to it and the vast majority of people who work in theatre do it because they love it! I think I’m lucky to be able to say that I love my work, so that outweighs the other stuff.

What’s your dream job in theatre?
I would like to be a Director of Education for a theatre one day, but I would also like to start an Education programme in a theatre from scratch. I think it would be a wonderful challenge and great to work together with everyone in a theatre to develop a great programme of work for people of all ages to get involved in.

Got any wise words for someone who wants to be where you are now?
Be flexible, be creative and put your energy into the process and the product will be wonderful everytime!