We're Hiring: Production Assistant | British Youth Music Theatre
Young company performing in Harry & Greta production.

We're Hiring: Production Assistant

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone with little or no experience of working in theatre production, keen to pursue a career in this sector. Over the past two years, this has been funded by the Mackintosh Foundation and supported by staff at Cameron Mackintosh Limited.

The candidate will work across various departments, learning about every aspect of theatre production, as well as our work as an educational youth charity. During their time in the role candidates will have the chance to specialise in areas where they show particular interest or ability.

Job Description

The Production Assistant will particularly support the Producer in their work, to ensure the delivery of BYMT’s main artistic programme, including up to 10 new theatre productions and residential skills courses. 

The role also involves internal administrative tasks, working with other departments. Duties shall include, but not be limited to:

  • Writing and distributing contracts to creative and technical staff
  • Interviewing, hiring and generally overseeing the Creative Work Placement scheme 
  • Looking after the prop and costume stores for the company
  • Organising and preparing for Production meetings
  • Shadowing the Producer during meetings
  • Liaising with venues/theatres and technical staff over hires
  • Assisting with read-throughs and rehearsals as required
  • Printing scripts, scores and cast lists
  • Updating database with staff details
  • Using the database and Excel to manage production information
  • Updating guest lists and ensuring invitations are sent out
  • Supporting with monitoring production budgets and spend across all productions
  • Assisting with theatre productions and projects as required
  • Helping to source external practitioners

Internal Relations

  • Responsible to BYMT’s Producer and Creative Director
  • Working with Development, Marketing, Finance and Young Company departments 

External Relations

  • Freelance Creative and Stage Management Staff
  • Young people on company projects 
  • Partnering organisations
  • Existing and potential funders
  • Venues & Suppliers

Person Specification

We are looking for someone who is helpful and keen to learn. People who are creative in some way, with good communication skills and solid attention to detail would do well in this role. The right candidate could go on to a job in the theatre industry or transfer the experience to other roles in production, such as in tv, film or music.

Qualifications/Experience

  • Good all-round level of education is preferable, but not essential
  • Some experience of music or drama

Skills and Attitude

  • An interest in music and/or the arts and working with young people
  • Able to represent BYMT and follow the company code of conduct 
  • Adaptable, determined and able to work well under pressure
  • Confident use of IT and able to work online effectively and responsibly (IDEAL not essential)
  • Able to use Microsoft Office (Word and Excel - IDEAL not essential)
  • Good communication (including clear written English) and organisation skills
  • Enthusiastic and hard-working with excellent attention to detail
  • Can work independently with some supervision

Desirable

  • Interest in or knowledge of music theatre, creative writing and/or the arts
  • Previous experience of working in an office environment and administrative skills
  • Some experience of working in an arts/cultural organisation or in a creative role

Ability/Disposition

  • Good people skills and ability to work in a team
  • To be able to get on with a variety of people: young people, parents, theatre staff, teachers
  • Good time management

Motivation

  • Love of music and the arts 
  • Genuine interest in young people and helping them to fulfil their potential 
  • Someone who wants to work in production – theatre, music, tv, film

Inclusivity Statement

BYMT is committed to creating an inclusive culture in all its activities; equality of opportunity for all staff and applications from individuals are encouraged regardless of age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnerships. We are particularly keen to hear from people from global majority backgrounds and from candidates who self-identify as disabled as they are under-represented in our workforce.

Terms and Conditions

Salary: £13.85/hour (Current London Minimum Wage)
Start and finish dates: January to December 2025
Duration: Fixed Term, 12 months
Probationary period: 6 weeks 
Place of work: BYMT, Mountview, 120 Peckham Hill Str, London SE15 5JT
Hours of work: 30 hours per week, work days/times to be confirmed and full time (37.5 hours p/ w) through June, July and August.
Out of office: On occasion, you may be expected to stay on BYMT residential courses, and encouraged to attend other BYMT activities.
Holidays: The post holder will be entitled to 17 days plus bank holidays paid holiday and time off in lieu for weekends worked as required. Most of BYMT’s courses take place during school holidays and as a result, holidays are generally not allowed during the period 15 July to 1 September.
Presentation: Casual in the office, smart for occasional events/meetings.

How to Apply

Please download the application form and once complete, return to heathermacinnes@bymt.org by 12pm on Monday 2nd December 2024.

Please also complete our Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form. British Youth Music Theatre is an equal opportunities employer, who is actively seeking to employ people currently under-represented in the creative and cultural sector. This includes people, those from minority communities and people with disabilities.

Interviews will take place on the week commencing 2nd December 2024.

If you have any questions about your application please email heathermacinnes@bymt.org.