Prop-making, Education packs and Ushering – Work Experience Blog

22 July 2013

Kathryn Botchway writes about her time doing work experience at The Watermill last week.

Beginning at 9:30am, I started my first day typing up audience comments about Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. After going on a tour of The Watermill with Heidi, I sat in the gardens and read the script for The Witches of Eastwick– the next play in the calendar. After lunch I started making props for Encore- a drama group for older people no longer in full time work. I also made up interview questions for an actor from The Witches of Eastwick for the education pack- I then interviewed Rosemary Ashe who plays Felicia Gabriel, one of the main parts.

On Tuesday morning I typed up the interview ready for the education pack. I then did some filing of all the advertisements from the last year. During the afternoon I made some more props for Encore- some bunting, name badges and I started a poster.

Wednesday began with me finishing off the props I had started making previously. I printed off the posters and laminated them, then did some proof reading of the education pack. In the afternoon Heidi took me to the prop and costume store for Encore. It was amazing seeing any prop you could ever want, all in one place!

Thursday was my last day and I arrived at 3pm as I was to be ushering Laurel and Hardy. When I got in I made labels for the videos of previous shows and then set about writing my review of my time at The Watermill.

Working at The Watermill has been a fantastic experience- I have seen another side to the theatre that isn’t just performing. It’s such a shame to be leaving, and time has flown by! Everyone has been so supportive and I had a great time, it has given me such an insight into what theatre life is really like!

Kathryn Botchway