Workplace Spotlight
What is it like to work in a theatre?
The theatre is a place for live performances, such as plays, musicals, and other forms of entertainment. The stage is where actors and performers bring stories to life in front of an audience, while others work behind the scenes to make the magic happen. The goal is to engage, entertain, and sometimes even inspire the people watching.
While every theatre is different, they do share some common things:
- Creativity thrives – whether it’s designing sets and costumes or interpreting scripts.
- Attention to detail is crucial – particularly when it comes to coordinating things behind the scenes.
- A strong emphasis on collaboration – everyone involved needs to work together seamlessly to ensure a production’s success.
Provide entertainment and understanding through creativity
Theatres serve as cultural hubs that foster empathy, provoke thought, and provide a communal space for shared experiences, ultimately enriching society’s understanding of diverse perspectives and nurturing a sense of unity.
Key tasks
- Rehearsing lines and blocking
- Creating and designing sets
- Crafting and fitting costumes
- Managing lighting and sound cues
- Coordinating stage movements and cues
- Ensuring props are in place and functional
- Overseeing backstage operations and changes
- Promoting and marketing productions
- Managing budgets and production schedules
- Engaging with the audience and patrons
You can find theatres in the arts and recreation services industry
Theatres are usually found in the arts and recreation services industry. You can expect a range of performances in theatres, including plays, musicals, dance recitals, stand up, concerts, and even experimental performances.
You can expect irregular hours and on-site work
Irregular hours | Work on-site | Jobs more common in metro areas | Strong job growth
Employees in a theatre often have irregular hours, including evenings and weekends, due to the nature of live performances. Shows are typically scheduled at times when audiences are available, which is often outside of regular 9-5 work hours.
On-site work is more common in theatres because productions require physical presence for rehearsals, set construction, technical setup, and live performances, which can’t be replicated remotely.
Despite this, there are still some roles that can involve remote work. These may include tasks like scriptwriting, costume design, graphic design for promotional materials, or administrative work.
Metropolitan areas typically offer more job opportunities in theatres due to the higher concentration of theatres and performing arts organisations.
How do we expect working in a theatre to change in the future?
As we look ahead to the future, several cultural shifts and technological innovations are set to reshape how we work and interact in theatres.
One of the most notable changes revolves around technology. With the rapid advancements in virtual and augmented reality, some places are experimenting with more immersive theatrical experiences. Imagine audiences being transported to fantastical worlds or interacting with virtual elements seamlessly integrated into live performances.
The integration of digital tools for rehearsals and production planning is likely to become more common too, especially since the pandemic. Virtual rehearsals and digital set design platforms can streamline processes and enhance collaboration among the creative team, regardless of physical location.
Inclusivity and accessibility are also set to be at the forefront of future theatre practices. We can expect to see more efforts to make productions accessible to a wider range of audiences, including people from marginalised backgrounds, people with disabilities, and people of different cultural backgrounds.
In order to thrive in an evolving theatre industry, workers will need to cultivate a diverse skill set that embraces innovation and adaptability.