Job Description

Creative Industries Production Technician Apprenticeship


Reports to: Technical Stage Manager


Salary: 12.60 per hour, 40 hours per week


Contract: Apprenticeship - 24 months


Theatre Royal Plymouth is a registered charity, inspiring a lifetime of creativity for audiences, artists and participants throughout Plymouth and the wider region. As the principal home of performing arts in the Southwest, we engage and inspire many communities, creating memorable experiences for people from all backgrounds. TRP do this by creating and presenting a breadth of shows on a range of scales, with their extensive creative engagement programmes, by embracing the vitality of new talent and supporting emerging and established artists, and by collaborating with a range of partners to provide dynamic cultural leadership for the city of Plymouth.


What is a Theatre Technician?


If you enjoy variety, creativity and problem solving then being a theatre technician can be the most enjoyable job in the world. A theatre technician helps to bring the directors ideas to life and creates the special effects that make a show memorable. It is the job of the technician to ensure that all the lighting, sound, scene changes and special effects happen safely and calmly, so the actors are confident working in front of an audience.


There is nothing like the feeling of a live audience watching a show you are working on.


Purpose of an Apprenticeship


Working with the Lighting, Sound and Stage Departments (which are all part of the Technical Department), you will learn about and understand the role of a technician within the performing arts industry whilst getting hands on experience. You will learn the practical skills necessary to work as a technician in a theatrical environment and have the opportunity to work with top industry professionals in all the Theatre Royal's spaces.


This apprenticeship is part of The Mackintosh Foundation's Regional Technical Apprenticeship Programme. This is the second cohort which The Foundation has supported and is being delivered in partnership with 15 venues across the country.


As part of the programme all apprentices will receive additional support for their development and progress. This will take the form of monthly online catchups and development sessions, as well as opportunities for in person networking and learning.


Alongside on-the-job training, the apprentice will spend at least 20% of their working hours (up to a maximum of 6 hours per week) completing off the job training, which leads to a nationally recognised qualification. The 20% off the job training may include college attendance, evidencing workplace activity, attending external events and general tasks which are new skills.


In reality this means that you will work with the college towards your apprenticeship qualification (these are called 'standards'). Each apprenticeship has a different standard attached to it, for more detailed information on the apprenticeship standards you can visit this website - Creative Industries Production Technician Apprenticeship Standards


Inclusion and Diversity



We are committed to cultivating a culture of inclusion at TRP with a workforce, participants and audiences that reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.


The collective power of each team member's life experiences, knowledge, innovation, self-expression, and talent creates the very best environment for us to achieve our ambitions and lead the sector.


In recruiting for our team, we recognise the unique contributions that you can bring in terms of education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, colour, religion, disability, sexual orientation, and beliefs

The Mackintosh Foundation, who funds the scheme you are applying to, is committed to developing a theatre workforce that is representative of all sections of society and we welcome applications from everyone. To help us to ensure that our recruitment practices are fair to all, please take a few minutes to complete this equal opportunities monitoring form-

Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form

(The information you provide is strictly private and confidential)

You are not required to give your name, and your answers are not attributable to any individual and are

not seen by the recruitment panel

. Completion of this form is entirely voluntary, and you can select "prefer not to say" if you would rather not answer any particular question. We thank you in advance for your help.

How to Apply


If you would like to apply, please upload a CV and cover letter or if you'd prefer, a video of no more than 3 minutes long.

Please note:

if you wish to upload a video application, please email to recruitment@theatreroyal.com


Closing date - Thursday 26 June 2025 at 09:00


Interviews are scheduled to take place on Wednesday 2 & Thursday 3 July 2025.


We're here to talk! We're available to speak to you before you make your application so, if you're not quite sure if your skills match the role, want to talk about how flexible working could support you, or just check any of the details in this document, please do email us on recruitment@theatreroyal.com with subject line 'Creative Industries Production Technician Apprenticeship' to arrange a chat.


What is involved?


The apprenticeship will be split between the Theatre Royal Plymouth and the Chichester College


You will study for the apprenticeship standard - Creative Industries Production Technician


You will be supported by the College to collect work for a portfolio, which will go towards completing the course You will be supported in passing functional skills in English, Maths and ICT if you need to take them. You will work in all areas where the Technical Department work, supervised and supported by members of the Technical Department. You will collect evidence of the work you do and make a portfolio showing how you have used your skills in the workplace. You will be supported in this process by the College and by mentors from the Theatre Royal.

What you will learn during the apprenticeship at the Theatre Royal:


Knowledge:


Safety & Compliance: Full understanding of health, safety, and electrical regulations, standards, and system maintenance. Industry & Operations: Awareness of production/event management, industry bodies, lifting, security, and logistics.

Technical Principles:


General: Event planning, problem-solving, system improvement, and tidy workspaces. Mechanical/Electromechanical: Function of stage machinery and lifting gear. Electrical: Safe temporary power, installation, distribution, and varied voltage systems. AV Systems: Lighting, sound, and video system principles (setup, test, maintain, basic repair), design history, lighting effects/optimisation, and low voltage lighting. Production & Design: Stage/production management, venue types, and inter-departmental needs. Sustainability & Technology: Environmental practices and design software use. Communication: Adaptable stakeholder communication. Advanced Technical: Complex troubleshooting, calibration, venue-specific application, servicing, network compatibility, advanced logistics (carnets), and battery safety.

Skills:


Technical Operations & Maintenance: Interpreting/preparing specifications and drawings (CAD/asset management). Assembling, operating, maintaining, and storing technical systems/equipment. Repairing (basic to component level) and maintaining AV equipment. Troubleshooting equipment and complex venue systems. Calibrating and servicing equipment; ensuring network connectivity. Operating suspension and stage machinery.

Lighting Specific:


Programming/operating lighting controls. Power system assessment, wiring installation. Setting, operating, and modifying lighting for desired effects, including short-notice changes. Managing extra low voltage lighting and battery safety.

Production & Stage Management:


Operating production consoles and cueing for live events. Managing set/scene changes and basic stage crafts Safety & Planning: Applying method statements and risk assessments for safe work. Correct use of safety/access equipment. Logistics planning for equipment transport (packing, carnets). Operating lifting and rigging equipment.

Communication & Collaboration:


Effective stakeholder collaboration and communication. Using digital collaboration tools; directing teams; report writing. Management & Compliance: Adhering to budget/financial protocols.

Behaviours


Professionalism: Adaptable, reliable, responsible, self-motivated, goal-oriented, committed to safety and continuous improvement. Teamwork: Respectful, effective communication and collaboration. Problem Solving: Calm under pressure, proactive, stays current with best practices. Sustainability: Environmentally responsible in all duties.

The Person


Our Values are at the heart of everything we say and do, and our people demonstrate these values in every aspect of their work. To be successful in this role, you should be able to demonstrate the following skills, experience, and behaviour in line with these values.

Quality:

Taking pride in achieving excellence. We take responsibility for and pride in what we do, recognising each other's good work. We set consistently high expectations and ensure that everyone has the skills to achieve excellence.

Collaboration:

Valuing each other in the way we work, communicate and spend time together: We communicate regularly with each other, listening and understanding people's needs. We value and respect the relationships we have with colleagues and partners, and we celebrate shared successes.





Is accountable for own work ensuring it meets expectations and agreed standards Shows energy and enthusiasm in achieving personal and team objectives Understands and delivers in line with relevant legislation, policies, procedures and instructions Enjoys exceeding expectations of customers and colleagues Is friendly and welcoming Actively seeks, encourages and acts upon feedback Contributes to own department's achievement of objectives Works with colleagues to deliver the highest possible standards

Creativity:

Being imaginative in everything we do: We use our knowledge, experience and judgement to explore doing things differently. We aim to empower everyone in the organisation to adopt a flexible, open-minded and imaginative approach.

Diversity:

Embracing the diversity among our people and community: We embrace and value difference and individuality treating everyone as equally important. Together we are stronger and more effective.





Adopts a flexible approach to their work taking the circumstances of others into account Listens to information and asks questions to improve knowledge Adapts approach to provide customer with an experience tailored to the purpose of their visit Thinks about different options when solving a problem Confidently welcomes and embraces people from all areas of the community/backgrounds Seeks to understand others and respects views and opinions Adapts communication to suit individual needs and listens with empathy * Engages with TRP's community activities and programmes