Technical Theatre Apprentice in Exeter

Location: Exeter Northcott Theatre, Exeter

Contract Type: Fixed Term – 2 Years

Hours: full-time (including evening and weekend work as required)

Salary: £7.55 per hour

Start Date: September 2025

Reports to: Technical Manager

Overview

We’re offering a unique opportunity for a committed, motivated and excited individual looking for the next step into the industry to join our team as a Technical Theatre Apprentice, working toward a nationally recognised Level 3 Creative Venue Technician Apprenticeship. This two-year programme is designed to give you broad, hands-on experience across all areas of technical theatre, including lighting, sound, stage management, video, rigging, and production support for a wide range of live performances and in-house productions.

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a paid job where the employee learns and gains valuable real-life experiences. An apprenticeship must include:

• Paid employment with holiday leave
• Hands-on experience in a sector/role of interest
• At least 20% off-the-job training
• Formal assessment which leads to a nationally recognised qualification

Alongside on-the-job training, apprentices 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.

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 catch-ups and development sessions, as well as opportunities for in-person networking and learning.

Key Responsibilities

Throughout the apprenticeship, you will:

• Learn to rig, operate, maintain, and troubleshoot lighting, sound, video, and stage equipment
• Help set up (get-in), run performances and remove (get-out) set for a wide variety of events including theatre, music, comedy, dance, community shows, and education projects
• Support activities such as scenic construction, scene changes, props management, and rehearsals
• Operate flying systems, assist with stage management tasks, and follow cueing protocols during live performances
• Use technical drawings and specifications to prepare, set up, and configure equipment, sets and lighting rigs
• Work collaboratively with colleagues, visiting companies, creative teams, and other departments
• Uphold high standards of health and safety, sustainability, and professional practice
• Maintain a tidy and organised working environment and equipment stores

Training & Support

You will:

• Be enrolled on the Level 3 Creative Venue Technician apprenticeship programme, supported by an external training provider
• Receive one-on-one mentoring from experienced theatre technicians and structured on-the-job training
• Complete formal training modules covering:

• Health & safety
• Technical systems (lighting, sound, video)
• Stage & production management
• Industry software and communication tools
• Troubleshooting, maintenance, and repair of equipment
• Principles of scenic construction and technical design
• Environmental and financial best practices

What We’re Looking For

• A genuine interest in and excitement about technical theatre and backstage work
• Willingness to learn, take direction, and develop new skills
• Reliable, punctual, and capable of working flexible hours including evenings and weekends
• Positive attitude, good communication, and the ability to work well in a team
• Basic understanding of the role of theatres and live performance
• Some experience (e.g. through school, college, amateur theatre, or volunteering) in technical or backstage roles
• An understanding of backstage disciplines or health and safety practices

Behaviours we value:

• Adaptability and a flexible approach to changing situations
• Responsibility for personal learning, timekeeping, and job completion
• A safety-first mindset and calmness under pressure
• Respect for others, good teamwork, and professional communication
• An interest in sustainable practice and continuous improvement

Next Steps

There continues to be a significant lack of diversity across the arts, with a pressing need to provide progression routes for talented people from backgrounds that are under-represented. Exeter Northcott Theatre is committed to playing its part in addressing this by putting inclusion at the heart of our recruitment processes, finding new ways to share the power and resources we have at our disposal, and fostering a working culture that is welcoming for all our team. We actively encourage people from all backgrounds to join us and positively impact our teams and working practice.

As part of our commitment to inclusion we’re working to widen the pool of people who hear about vacancies at the theatre and make the process of applying for a job as straightforward as possible.

For this role we’re asking all candidates to complete both the Equal Opportunities Form and Application Form. We are happy to accept video/audio responses to the questions in the Application Form. If we feel you have the potential to join our team as an Apprentice, we will ask you to join us for an open session followed by a meeting with key team members.

If you have any questions about the role, please contact Kelly Twydale, our Head of People, by emailing k.twydale@exeter.ac.uk.