month on the Fringe can be an eye-opening experience. What you put in we hope you get back. Previous participants have c
Pleasance Edinburgh Festival Volunteer Programme 2018
Pleasance Theatre Trust Ltd is a registered Charity in England, Wales and Scotland. Charity Nos 1050944 and SC043237.
“A hugely fun and fulfilling month, I didn’t want it to end!” - Fiona, Box Office
Join Us An unforgettable month at the very heart of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe awaits! The Pleasance Festival Volunteer Programme provides a platform for people of all backgrounds and ages to hone their skills in the creative industries through playing an important part in the daily operation of the Pleasance’s 23 Fringe venues. We are joined by some 200 volunteers who act in dedicated positions with genuine responsibilities, each at the centre of the largest arts festival in the world. Volunteers join us from Friday 27th July (Thursday 26th for Technical volunteers) to Thursday 30th August. As a not-for-profit charity, the Pleasance Theatre Trust is recognised as a leading cultivator of talent on the Fringe, with each festival offering an opportunity to nurture the skills of those working off the stage, as well as those performing on it. A wide range of opportunities are available; from technical support to guest and industry services or marketing. Our voluntary team includes those of all levels of experience, from individuals with years of industry knowledge to relative newcomers who exhibit the right attitude and want to take part. The Festival Volunteer Programme is about hands on experience and peer to peer learning. Whether you are willing to impart knowledge or are keen to accept it, there is a place for you on our team.
Often demanding and always fast-paced, a month on the Fringe can be an eye-opening experience. What you put in we hope you get back. Previous participants have cited the development of new skills, building confidence in social and diplomatic situations, the opportunity to put existing experience into practice and creating a professional network as just some of the benefits of joining. Not to mention having an unforgettable experience in an unparalleled hub of creativity and energy. Everyone starts somewhere and there are hundreds of established theatre practitioners throughout the world who would count a challenging, fast-paced month with the Pleasance on the Fringe as an important moment in their careers. There are Pleasance t-shirts in every corner of the Globe. Many volunteers return year-after-year, taking on new roles or bringing their own productions to our programme. Many of those working in the industry full time or at the Pleasance itself started in these roles. What follows is an outline of the roles that are available in 2018, what to expect and how to get involved. We hope you’ll join us.
Overview The Pleasance Festival Volunteer Programme encompasses a variety of disciplines. Volunteers are dedicated to a specific role for the duration of the month, which fall under 4 main categories;
Volunteers work on a daily rota throughout the festival, on a schedule that varies according to their role. All departments ensure that adequate breaks are provided for rest and enjoying the festival. Typical shift patterns are discussed in more detail during interview.
Technical
Prior to opening, all volunteers are involved in the Get-In, during which we undertake departmental training, get everyone up to speed with what to expect in the coming month and ensure that the site is ready for performing companies and the public arriving.
Venue Managers Venue Crew (Sound / Lighting / Stage) IT Assistant Guest Services Box Office Front of House Kidzone
After the venue closes, the final couple of days are spent assisting the Get-Out, where we dismantle and pack up the venue for another year.
Industry Services Arts Industry Reception Press Office Brooke’s Club Hosts Marketing Street Team Media Futures (Content Producer / Videographer / Photographer) All roles have a unique set of responsibilities, which are outlined in the pages that follow, but have in common the stimulating, challenging environment in which they operate. The pace of the Fringe has to be experienced to be properly understood and with the support of the team around them, those who give their all thrive within it. Technical volunteers join us in Edinburgh from Thursday 26th July, followed by all other volunteers on Friday 27th July. All depart on Thursday 30th August. The venue is open to the public from 1st - 27th August inclusive.
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Benefits In addition to what we hope is an invaluable and exhilarating experience, all volunteers receive; • A subsistence of no less than £680 as a contribution to your living expenses. This can be paid in two parts (50% in the middle of the festival, 50% at the end) or in one lump sum at the conclusion of the run. • For those who require accommodation, a single private bedroom within close proximity to the venue at no cost to yourself. Each room is in a 4 - 6 bedroom apartment that is shared exclusively with other Pleasance volunteers. • A Pleasance Pass, which gives free access to any show in the Pleasance programme, as well as discounts at various restaurants, cafes and bars throughout Edinburgh.
• Weekly parties and get-togethers, so that you can relax, have fun and get to know the great team of people around you. • Access to training opportunities, information sessions and networking events to further your career. Our aim is to provide volunteers with safe, secure lodgings, the means to enjoy the festival for the month and the chance to develop their industry knowledge. All you need to do is arrange your own travel if you are joining us from outside of Edinburgh. A peer and managerial support network is available to all volunteers throughout the festival.
How to apply To apply, simply complete the online form at: http://bit.ly/PleasanceVolunteers2018 Here you will be asked to provide information about yourself and why you wish to be considered, what position(s) you wish to be considered for and a copy of your CV. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview in London, Edinburgh, Manchester or by Skype or phone if you can’t attend any of the locations. Whilst interviews primarily take place in March and April, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until all positions are filled. As such, there is no set deadline. As we consider applications on a first received, first reviewed basis – we advise all candidates to apply as soon as possible to maximise your chances. We welcome applications from anyone, with any level of experience.
If you have any queries or wish to follow up on your application at any point, or require the application form in an alternative format, please do not hesitate to contact us: Email:
[email protected] Phone: 0207 619 6868 Address: Pleasance Theatre Trust Ltd Carpenters Mews North Road London N7 9EF
Equal Opportunities: The Pleasance Theatre Trust is an equal opportunities employer and welcomes applications from all sections of the community.
“The Fringe taught me things I would never have dreamed of learning before entering the professional world, as well as opening my eyes to the wonders of theatre and all the amazing people and opportunities it has to offer.” - Rachel, Venue Crew
Technical Teams Technical teams opperate across 23 performance spaces ranging from 48 to 750 seats in size on two sites, the Courtyard and Dome. Each performance space has a dedicated crew, consisting of a venue manager and a team of between 2 and 7 crew members. Each team are responsible for providing first class support to their venue’s performing companies, ensuring that performances start on time throughout the day and maintaining Pleasance’s reputation for outstanding levels of company care.
What you can expect: • To learn about technical theatre alongside a great range of creative and technical talent. • To work closely with performing companies. • To work in close proximity with the same company and team members every day. • To manage quick turn-around times, with as little as 10 minutes between performances. • To be public-facing, assisting with seating audiences and managing them in the venue. • To problem solve, troubleshoot and think on your feet, often with little or no warning. • To work intensively whilst productions find their feet before beginning a rota structure.
Technical Venue Crew The Venue Crew are the primary point of contact for all performing companies, working as part of a close-knit team to ensure the smooth running of their performance space and dealing with any issues that may arise. We look to have a balance of knowledge in sound, lighting and stage in each venue. Crew members are placed in venues so that their skills suit the needs of the space and so that each of these elements are covered. Our venues range in size and technical complexity. Training will be provided, however beneficial experience may include: Sound • Basic understanding of the principles of live sound, including the use of digital and/or analogue sound desks. • The ability to maintain accurate paperwork. • Basic fault finding and troubleshooting skills. • Attention to detail is paramount in this position. Lighting • The ability to rig and focus generic and intelligent lighting fixtures. • The ability to maintain accurate lighting paperwork. • Basic fault finding and troubleshooting skills. • The ability to program and operate digital lighting consoles. • Attention to detail is paramount in this position.
Stage • A knowledge and passion for current stage technology and backstage theatre practises. • Proven experience in constructing and building sets, setting up stages and coordinating turnaround or fit ups. • The ability to work under pressure within pressing time constraints. • Strong communication skills. • Basic skills in carpentry & other scenic construction methods are desirable. The ideal candidates will have some level of transferable experience in one or more of the areas above, but this is by no means essential. We consider candidates with all levels of knowledge and often temperament and enthusiasm is as important a factor as any. Being self-motivated, patient and a strong team player are essential.
Technical Venue Manager Working closely with their crew, the Venue Manager is ultimately responsible for their performance space, the daily schedule and resolving the multitude of situations that may arise during the Fringe. As well as maintaining a first class level of technical support, they ensure that excellent relationships are retained both with the performing companies and within their team. Beneficial experience may include • Production Management or Stage Management of a venue or live performances. • An understanding of current health and safety principles and regulations. • Managing a team in a high-paced, high-pressure environment. • Broad understanding of technical theatre, suited to your performance space. • Resilience, an infectious calm and unrelenting good humour.
A Venue Manager is really the front line of technical support and a great deal of responsibility is entrusted to ensure that Pleasance’s high standards are being met at all times. A perfect Venue Manager should be confident, approachable, mature, equipped with a positive attitude and have a real air of professionalism. A qualification in First Aid is preferable, but not essential. * Technical specs and 360° videos for all venues can be found on the “Spaces” section of the Pleasance website: https://www.pleasance.co.uk/edinburgh-spaces
Technical IT Assistant Underpinning the Pleasance’s Courtayrd and Dome sites is a complex IT infrastructure of networks and hardware, enabling us to provide first-class customer service 24 hours a day. As part of the small, busy IT team, the IT Assistant will help maintain the venue’s IT services – ensuring optimal functionality across the network, resolving hardware issues and providing general support to the site and venue staff. The ideal candidate will join the team for the build period ahead of the festival from 13th July, assisting in the setup of the network from scratch and receiving a real insight into the festival operation in the process. This position is well suited to a computing or IT student with a keen interest in physical infrastructure.
Beneficial experience may include: • Installing network cabling. • Setting up desktop workstations and maintaining network connections to printers, WiFi, etc. • Knowledge of Windows operating systems. • Basic troubleshooting of software and hardware issues. • Logical problem solving. Previous IT experience is preferable but not essential. Most important is the ability to work methodically, follow instructions and learn on the job, whilst remaining upbeat at all times.
“Challenging and engaging in all the right ways.” - Thomas, Front of House
Guest Services Teams The Pleasance welcomes over 500,000 audience members every year and our Guest Services teams play a key role in giving them the most memorable experience possible. As the departments that the most frequently interact with the audience, the Box Office and Front of House teams really are the public face of the Pleasance - greeting guests, connecting them with shows, and answering nearly any question imaginable. Working in teams of approximately 35 people, both departments operate amidst the buzz of the venue, where they have to keep their wits about them in order to support the smooth running of the 200 or so performances that may be taking place that day. The Kidzone team work in our dedicated family area with the festival’s smallest and most demanding clientele; toddlers!
What you can expect: • To be part of the festival buzz, interacting with hundreds of shows and thousands of people. • To work closely with the general public. • To work in a busy, constantly changing environment. • To interact with everyone from children to latenight revellers. • To deal with challenging situations every day, such as latecomers or sold-out shows. • To play a key part in the timely running of shows through audience management. • To work as part of a close-knit team on a rota that changes every day.
Guest Services Teams Box Office Positions Available: Box Office Operators Box Office Exchequer Box Office Assistant Managers The Box Office is the ticketing nerve centre of our festival operation. Working across manned counters, ticket collection booths, information points and a phone room, Box Office Operators sell tickets for all productions in the Pleasance programme - catering to those who know exactly what they want to see, and those who are looking for a steer on something that might suit their tastes. Beneficial experience may include: • Customer service in a venue, restaurant, shop or other public-facing business. • Use of computerised tills, databases or similar systems. • Working with a broad range of the general public. • Staying focussed in a busy, boisterous and high pressure environment.
The Box Office Exchequer works as part of the Operator team and has the added responsibility of undertaking a daily count of all Box Office takings on behalf of the Finance department. This takes place every morning and must be 100% accurate without fail, despite the hustle and bustle of the working environment. As such, an eye for detail and a head for numbers is crucial. Once the count is finished, the Exchequer may be deployed on shift as an Operator. Box Office Assistant Managers undertake Duty Management shifts as part of a small management team at each point of sale, supporting the Operators as well as acting as a principal point of contact for the general public and any issues that may arise. In addition to the skills noted above, having some form of management experience is preferable for these roles, as is a working knowledge of a the Fringe or a Box Office operation.
Guest Services Teams Front of House Positions Available: Front of House Assistants Front of House Assistant Managers Front of House Manager Front of House Assistants are in the thick of the festival action day-in, day-out. They manage incoming audiences, making sure that customers are in the correct queue, for the correct performance, on the correct day and time. Working closely with the venue crew, they are an essential component in the maintaining the performance schedule ensuring that ticket-holders are ready to enter the performance space as soon as the house is opened. They also operate as a mobile information-booth, answering questions from a range of audiences as well as dealing with the occasional issue that may arise. Beneficial experience may include: • Ushering or people management within a venue or live events environment. • Time management. • Remaining energetic whilst on your feet all day. • Working outdoors, with a resilience to the potential elements of the Scottish “summer”. The Front of House Assistant Managers and Manager take overall responsibility for the smooth running of the on-the-ground operation, working in a handson capacity as part of the team, motivating them and taking charge of any issues as required. For these roles, experience of managing a small team in a busy environment and working closely with the general public are ideal. Direct experience of this type of work at the Fringe itself, or in a venue or theatre, is preferred but not essential.
Guest Services Teams Kidzone Positions Available
Beneficial experience may include: Kidzone Assistant
• Organising or leading activities for children.
The Kidzone is our dedicated family area at the heart of the Courtyard, which offers children a place to play and get creative, whilst parents enjoy a coffee and take a load off. The fantastic programme of practical activities, suitable for all ages, includes award-winning music workshops, story hours, facepainting, and a dedicated arts, crafts and play area (with plenty toys!).
• Working collaboratively in a small team.
As a Kidzone Assistant, you are part host, part Front of House and part playtime pro. You oversee the play tents, helping the workshop leaders to keep the army of pocket-sized Fringe-goers entertained whilst making sure the area remains presentable at all times.
Naturally, a love for children and desire to work with them is essential in this role.
• Understanding the needs of a demanding young clientele. • Working with a diverse range of the general public. • Remaining energetic whilst on your feet all day.
“A crash course in customer service, alongside some of the best humans at the Fringe.” - Cordelia, Box Office
Industry Services Teams Behind the scenes of the public-facing side of our festival operation is our Industry Services teams, who provide support to the hundreds of companies taking part in our programme. They provide a crucial link between the shows and the world’s press, media and arts industry, who all descend on Edinburgh in their thousands. By providing additional resources to companies, we hope not only to support their shows whilst in Edinburgh but also in their future life beyond the Fringe. Working in small, dedicated teams, the Industry Services departments are administrative underpinning of the festival and vital to the daily operation.
What to expect: • To work closely with performing companies, artists and other professionals, learning about the Fringe and creative industries. • To work in a highly administrative environment, utilising tools such as shared databases, spreadsheets, emails, etc. • To retain acute attention to detail in an intensive fast-paced environment. • To deliver the high standard of service that is expected from an exacting clientele. • To remain calm, composed and friendly when others are at their most stressed. • To be part of a small team whose mutual support is essential to its success.
Industry Services Arts Industry Reception
Beneficial experience may include:
Positions Available: Arts Industry Officers Arts Industry Coordinator
• Working within industry professionals.
The Arts Industry Reception is the principal point of contact for all companies and performers in the Pleasance programme. The small team of 8 Arts Industry Officers have numerous responsibilities, including issuing company ID passes, processing complimentary tickets for both the company and third parties, and setting up ticketing deals for productions. They also act as a liaison between the companies and the Pleasance’s management team, ensuring that all messages are passed on without fail and, when time sensitive, acted on quickly. Superior interpersonal skills enable them to maintain a rapport with a regularly demanding clientele of industry professionals. Whilst managing this busy ongoing workload, they are also a publicfacing reception point for the venue as a whole, looking after post and answering any questions that come their way.
• Working in a highly administrative, fast-paced environment. • Using databases, spreadsheets and scheduling software. • Time management, prioritising and multitasking. The Arts Industry Coordinator takes overall responsibility in delivering our industry services and in coaching the small team through this intensive workload. Experience in leading a small team and managing a demanding, multi-faceted workload is essential.
Industry Services Press Office Positions Available:
Press Officers
The Press Office act as a facilitator between the 260+ shows in our programme and the world’s media. In a small, busy team of 8, they work closely with press and media representatives for each of the performing companies to ensure that productions gain the best possible exposure. Whilst they provide support to the department’s operation as a whole, each Press Officer is dedicated to one of three main roles for the duration of the Festival:
Posting the top reviews on press boards throughout the venue and working closely with the Street Team and Programmers to ensure reviews for all Pleasance-produced shows are distributed amongst the team in a timely manner. 3. Broadcast: Managing a schedule of all authorised filming, photography and audio recordings taking place throughout the venue by performing companies or third parties. Liaising closely with all parties, including venue crews and the management team, to ensure plans and restrictions are communicated clearly. Beneficial experience may include:
1. Ticketing: Acting as a point of contact for members of the press and visiting companies to answer incoming queries, authorise complimentary ticket requests, process tickets using the Box Office software and provide information on shows as required.
• Working with the media, journalists or press representatives.
2. Cuttings: Reviewing print, online and broadcast press every day in order to create an archive of any coverage for all shows in the programme to be used by the performing company and venue.
• Managing databases and online resources with an acute eye for detail.
• Working in a highly administrative, fast-paced environment.
• Problem solving and multitasking.
Industry Services Brooke’s Club Hosts
Beneficial experience may include:
Situated in the Pleasance Dome, Brooke’s Club is the Pleasance’s very own private members bar exclusively for performers, company members and press. Open every day through till 5am, it is one of the most sought after night spots of the festival.
• Working in a club or bar.
The space is managed by a team of two hosts, who oversee it every evening through to close greeting guests and making them feel welcome. They embody the friendliness and approachability that the Pleasance is known for and must be highly adaptable to interact with the huge range of people from some 200 shows. Given the nature of the role, being a night owl is a must. Whilst experience working in a bar or club is benefitial, the hosts’ responsabilities focus on building relationships and not pouring drinks, so it is not essential.
• Engaging with industry professionals, with a head for faces and names. • Remaining friendly and relaxed, whilst maintaining the utmost of professionalism. • Working late-nights and managing those that come with the small hours.
“An experience unlike anything I’ve been a part of.” - Nicholas, Venue Crew
Marketing Teams At the centre of the Pleasance is a huge programme of the most exciting shows on the Fringe – each completely unique, with it’s own audience. The Marketing Team’s remit is to find that audience, either by direct hand-to-hand promotion or by creating engaging content through film, photography and social media. Working in small teams and buzzing with creativity, these roles are constantly on the move - providing support to the programme as a whole as well as the 20-30 shows that the Pleasance directly produces.
What to expect: • To work creatively, finding new ways to promote shows and cut through the noise of the 3000 other productions at the Fringe. • To work responsively, always with your finger on the pulse, reacting to sales and demand. • To seek out and engage directly with new audiences. • To remain energetic, enthusiastic and friendly in the knowledge that you are often ‘the face of the Pleasance’. • To be on your feet, bounding to the next show or story. • To be part of a small team whose mutual support is essential to its success.
Marketing Street Team Positions Available:
Beneficial experience may include: Street Team Street Team Coordinator
The Street Team work tirelessly to publicise the productions that the Pleasance are directly producing and are an essential force behind their ultimate success. Typically working across approximately 20 different shows, each with a different genre and target demographic, they drum up business through hand-to-hand flyering, poster distribution and interacting with the audience in a personal, welcoming manner. More generally, the Street Team are also responsible for the distribution of marketing materials and print for all 270 shows throughout the venue, ensuring that all displays are maintained and shows are equally represented throughout the Fringe.
• Marketing and promoting live entertainment. • Speaking with the general public. • Working independently and remaining enthusiastic at all times. • Remaining energetic whilst on your feet all day, come rain or shine. The Street Team Coordinator leads by example, flyering alongside the wider team, motivating them and ensuring that distribution plans are delivered. Working closely with the Marketing Manager, they put into action pre-planned strategies and work responsively according to that day’s ticket sales. They also oversee the site’s marketing displays, ensuring that these are maintained at all time. Strong people skills, boundless energy and a good level of administrative acumen are beneficial.
Marketing Media Futures Positions Available: Content Producer Photographer Videographer With over half a million people visiting the venue to see some 200 + shows throughout August, the Pleasance is a hive of creativity, colour and excitement. The Media Futures team capture every moment of it. The team spend the month covering the Fringe’s best acts, finding creative ways to engage audiences and support the shows. Each role has their own unique remit, but band together to produce a compelling stream of content that uniquely represents the dazzling array of shows, styles and stories from within the venue. Content is used as part of the venue’s marketing as well as retained for archival purposes. Content Producer: The Content Producer will delve into the venue’s programme, cherry picking the day’s most exciting stories, conducting interviews, writing editorial and producing quickfire video content for use in the venue’s marketing. This includes the Pleasance Times blog and other social media channels. Journalistic experience, knowledge of marketing and an unrelenting energy are essential. Photographer: The Pleasance Photographer is placed right at the centre of the action, spending the month capturing images of life in the venue, and spearheading their very own photographic exhibition; The Edinburgh Picture Show. The will devise, shoot and edit all photographs, regularly delivery images for use in the venue’s marketing campaigns and, if applicable, maintain a physical exhibition space. Videographer: The Pleasance Videographer works as part of the small content team, shooting and editing an array of short form content that may be used in marketing, social media and our online channel, Pleasance TV. This creative self-shooter will have an excellent eye and a proven ability to delivery quick, compelling edits that will capture an audience’s imagination.
Each role requires someone who is artistic, ingenious, collaborative, and full of creative passion. They should be eager to develop their experience in their chosen area of expertise and looking for that vital next step up. The photographer and videographer should ideally have their own equipment. Whilst primarily engaged for the festival season in Edinburgh, the Media Futures team may also explore the opportunity of creating content from Pleasance London in June and July during our Edinburgh Preview Season. This is not mandatory and subject to the chosen candidate’s availability. If shortlisted, the Media Futures team will be asked to supply supplementary material such as examples of their work to support their application prior to interview.
“The Pleasance is an epicentre of culture during the Fringe, the like-minded and friendliness of the people there will change your perspective on life!”” - Aaron, Venue Crew
All photos part of the Edinburgh Picture Show Photographers: Anna Bruce Heather Pasfield Jassy Earl Neil Hanna
