I always wanted to work backstage in a theatre and hoped that I could progress my career in that industry, but before coming to Making The Leap I was not at all confident about getting a job. I was unemployed for almost two years and it was a very depressing time in my life. Since completing Making The Leap’s three-week ACE Workshop eight months ago my confidence has thrived – now I have the job I wanted I feel like I can achieve anything.
The Workshop helped me to believe in myself and achieve the goals that I needed to get a job. One of the most important things I learned was how to make myself stand-out when writing cover and speculative letters. In these letters, I had to sell myself by explaining how I would be a good fit for the job, which was another technique I learned at Making The Leap. They also helped me out with applications, which are always extremely difficult to fill in! While I was applying for lots of jobs I was lucky to have support from my family and the staff at Making The Leap.
After so many months of being stressed, depressed and bored I have finally got my dream job in the industry that I have been hoping to work in since I was fifteen years old. My job title, Assistant Backstage Helper, means I assist the stage manager and the light and sound technicians. I also did some backstage work in another theatre where I assisted the stage manager with arranging props and helped with set changes.
Trying to get a job in the theatre industry is not easy. I have learned that, as with many fields, the more experience you have the easier it is to get a job. It can be extremely difficult at times, but the one thing to do is never give up on yourself and be the best that you can be. That is the thing I have learned throughout this crazy journey – if I believe in myself there will always be a light at the end of the tunnel.
I wasn’t sure at the start of the Workshop, but I stuck with the three-week programme and now I have graduated and achieved what I wanted, getting the job I always wanted – I have never been happier!
By Frankie, aged 24
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