Student Blog

National Intern Week

Natalie talks about her transformative journey into Drama & Theatre internships, and the lasting impact the Student Futures team had on her career.

I stumbled upon the world of internships during the Welcome Week symposium for Drama and Theatre Practice.

Sue Barnett from the Student Futures team introduced us to the variety of support available to us, which included opportunities for internships. Initially, I thought, "That’s great for students who don’t know what they want to do,” thinking it didn’t really apply to me. But over the next few months, my understanding of just where my degree could take me was blown wide open, revealing pathways I had never even considered.

Studying Drama Industry Case Study gave me an impartial introduction to how theatre can be used within a community, and the more I learned about Middle Child Theatre’s community engagement, the more I wanted to learn about how the arts can make a difference in communities. But where do you look to find jobs like this in our industry? How could I get involved? Luckily for me, I didn’t have too far to look - Sue shared several internship opportunities on our Drama Student Voice group chat on Teams which were available over the summer of 2022.

I had concerns about interning – would it be all menial tasks and coffee runs like on TV? How could I manage childcare during summer? I reached out to Sue to share my worries, and after some reassuring emails she arranged a Teams call to formulate a plan. She was fantastic, answering all my questions and concerns. Together we found an internship with Back to Ours, an organisation with an impressive reputation in the city which is committed to bringing arts to underserved communities, which aligned perfectly with my newfound interest in community engagement.

natalie driffill with star wars stormtrooper

Initially I applied for an inventory role, thinking it would let me use my stage management skills at my own pace with minimal impact on others if childcare became a challenge. Back to Ours' Producer, Ellie, had different plans. She mentioned an internship in their events team. This role involved helping with key summer events on-site and handling behind-the-scenes admin. I explained my limited flexibility to Ellie but expressed my keen interest, and I got the internship! The events were magical, particularly the "Sharrabang," a touring show on an open-top bus that brought joy to communities.

It wasn't all waving on the Sharrabang and chatting with shoppers, though - the internship gave me an immersive look at how events are planned, involving a fair amount of “desk” work. I learned that the impact that Back to Ours has on the Hull community is so much more than the work put in, or even the events themselves. What matters is the connections created between people in communities that often feel overlooked. I enjoyed my time so much that I stayed on, becoming a regular at the Bransholme Chat in North Point Shopping Centre for a year now, and contributing to projects like the magical Winter Parade and helping manage grant funding.

When the Summer of 2023 arrived, I planned to take a break from new adventures - with my chatting spot, two young children and retail job, I already had enough to contend with! But the absence of lectures and the wonderful chaos of productions left me yearning for more. I decided to apply for another internship, this time with Middle Child Theatre. Sue was as helpful and positive as ever, and her prompt support helped me get in my application just in time.

My role at Middle Child Theatre was multifaceted and provided me with a valuable insight into the day to day of running a theatre company. At Middle Child I was able to enhance my skill set and forge connections with a wide range of industry professionals in Hull. These experiences will undoubtedly benefit my career after graduation, providing both experience and references from well-known figures in the industry including the Head of Production at Hull Truck Theatre who I was introduced to as part of my dynamic personal development plan with them.

natalie driffill with colleagues during her internships

Thanks to my internships, I have secured paid work within the industry from both organisations I interned with, and I am pleased to share that I have secured my first professional role as a stage manager! I'm immensely grateful for the opportunities and unwavering support I received from the Student Futures team.

I highly recommend internships to fellow students. They offer a chance to explore different roles within the industry, build valuable contacts, and gain practical experience. Don't be afraid to ask questions; it's all part of the learning process. My journey into the world of drama and theatre through internships has been transformative, and I can't wait to see where it takes me next.

Blog by: Natalie Driffill