The Stage, in partnership with Andrew Lloyd Webber foundation, UK Theatre and Society of London Theatre has announced a theatre careers resource online called Get Into Theatre.
According to a 2016 report commissioned by the Andrew Lloyd Webber foundation, Centre Stage found that young people from lower-income families were less likely to pursue a career in theatre due to lack of information about the on and off-stage career opportunities, support and experiences that the theatre industry offers.
Get Into Theatre has been developed by The Stage founded on the belief that all young people should have the same opportunity to pursue a career in theatre, with the website removing barriers by providing an accessible and practical advice resource for young people and career advisors.
Andrew Lloyd Webber said, “I am delighted to see this one-stop-shop for theatre careers being launched, making one of the key recommendations of the Centre Stage report a reality. I passionately believe a career in the arts should be accessible to all and that young people with an interest and passion for theatre are able to easily find information on the training tools they need to succeed. It’s vital that talented young people from diverse backgrounds find a way through and ensure theatre remains as vibrant as the populations it serves.”
Working to combat these issues, Get Into Theatre will place a particular emphasis on supporting underprivileged young people, especially BAME entrants. The initiative will also work alongside other organisation including Inspiring the Future of Theatre, Theatrecraft and Stage Sight, all organisations aiming to improve the diversity in the theatre industry.
“We must invest in and value our off-stage workforce now if it is to continue to thrive in the future.” Said Cassandra Chadderton, head of UK Theatre, “Get Into Theatre will give all young people considering a career in theatre the clear and practical advice they need, and help theatre to attract a more diverse range of people to the industry – improving our relevance and our resilience in the long term.”