Liv spent a week with us as we prepared to go into rehearsals for Counting Sheeps. Here's some reflections on her experience...
What have you been doing this week?
I have been spending this last week doing work experience with The Herd to get a look into their working life.
I have have such a great time with The Herd and they have allowed me to have some brand new experiences as well as being able to look into this type of theatre industry and the different projects they are doing.
During this time with them I have been in their play shop, seeing how they interact with customers. I looked into venues where performances could possibly happen. I also got to see behind the scenes of how they bring together their new shows.
Having this opportunity with The Herd has allowed me to see possible ideas for my future as well as learn about new things in this industry.
On Monday I spent the morning with them at Hull University looking into lighting and placement for their upcoming show Counting Sheeps! This allowed me to learn about other job roles in the industry. In the afternoon we went to a forest school as The Herd could possibly do a performance there so they wanted to see the environment and work out what performances they could do there.
On the Wednesday morning I was in The Herd's Play Shop in Princes Quay learning about how they run the shop as well as seeing what activities they do with schools (One Day Play, Theatre experience for Primary Schools) as well as seeing all the feedback the children gave about it.
Later on I went with Ruby and Sam to Apus Productions, ran by artists Liz and Ian to see what props they are making for The Herd's upcoming performances but also seeing what they do as their job in general.
Thursday I spent the day in the shop seeing how children interact with toys that aren't your usual toys such as cardboard poles different fabrics but also seeing how they let there imagination run free! Furthermore I created The Herd's TikTok account and even posted them a video, make sure to check it out @TheHerdUK. This showed me the social media side of the Theatre. [A note from Ruby at The Herd: Liv taught us way more about how to use social media, than we taught her!]
On Friday which was sadly my last day I went with the lovely Ruby to their Herd office in Hull Central Library. I made pompoms for possible props and saw the creation of props for rehearsal coming together and even made my own Herd show ideas called The Lonely Fish and The Blooming Butterfly while also creating another Tiktok for The Herd account!
What was the best part of the experience?
I'm unable to pick a best part as I found it all to be super educational while also being fun as it can help give me ideas for future job roles in the theatre industry when I am older.
Is there anything you wished you'd had a chance to do?
I wish I was able to see a Herd rehearsal and experience what it is like during them.
What would you say to another student thinking of doing their work experience with The Herd, or another theatre company?
I would say I hope you enjoy it! It is a lovely experience led by lovely people and that you should make the most out of it as you only get to do it once and you gain lots of knew knowledge from them!
If you're interested in spending your work experience with The Herd, get in touch hello@theherdtheatre.co.uk
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