News Story
Here at The Place, we believe dance is a career for life, full of different adventures and pathways whether that be performance, choreography and curation, or marketing, finance and HR.
We also believe that the workforce underpinning our industry should represent the world we live in and our community. So, we have developed a close partnership with Creative Access to introduce people from underrepresented backgrounds to the dance industry on a fixed-term trainee programme. In the spirit of National Careers Week – an event that inspires the next generation of workers – we sat down with two Creative Access trainees, Billie Barron-West and Rona Castrioti, to get insight into how their trainee programmes are a launch pad for a career in dance.
Q: Thanks for joining us, Billie and Rona! What are your roles at The Place?
Billie: I am the Communications Assistant, working with the rest of the Communications team on all things marketing and social media.
Rona: And I am the Finance Trainee here at The Place!
Q: What were your initial barriers to working in the arts?
Billie: Just knowing where to look is really difficult, as well as knowing the right places to go and the right people to talk to. It can be really overwhelming when you’re on the outside of the arts industry trying to find a way in and not seeing one.
Another thing that really held me back was my own confidence. Being able to feel like I really had something to offer and feeling like I could put myself out there was challenging.
Rona: I have worked in the creative sector as a composer for film, TV and theatre. I have been looking for a career in the financial sector within the arts, which is very difficult to acquire especially if you have not gone down a particular route of education.
Q: How did Creative Access and The Place provide an opportunity for you?
Billie: Creative Access offered CV workshops which really helped me to better communicate my skills to potential employers. They also provided valuable interview advice and preparation which meant that when it came to interviewing, I could approach it calmly and with confidence.
Rona: I have been able to merge both my creative and practical passions. I thought it would be impossible even with my mathematical background to do a career change from composition to finance. The Place has made it a smooth transition however, acknowledging all skills I could bring into the role that I’ve acquired over the years. I really feel set and ready for the next step in the industry after finishing up my traineeship. I know a lot of doors will be open that previously would not have been.
Q: What are you enjoying about the role so far?
Rona: The support and mentorship from my mentor Nikhil Bolton-Patel. I already feel that I have been part of the team for a long time. From day one I was immersed into the role and have learnt much more than I imagined. Also, the cookies – there are a lot of cookies in the office, which is always a good thing.
Billie: I love my team. I work with some great people who are always happy to offer an extra bit of support or advice if needed. I’m constantly learning new things and I’ve been allowed to grow into the role at my own pace.
Q: What do you hope to do afterwards?
Billie: I hope to use the experience that I have gained in my 12 months at The Place to develop a career in theatre marketing, and I hope that my next marketing role will be one that encourages my development as much as my time at The Place has.
Rona: With my finance traineeship, I realise the possibilities are endless. I am keen on going into film financing. I take comfort in knowing that I will be ready for the next step even if I am unsure of what that is yet.
Q: What would your advice be to someone who wants to work in the arts but is from an underrepresented group?
Rona: I really recommend looking for work through Creative Access, taking free courses and being open to starting with a traineeship. Be relentless and persistent in pursuing your goals. Really showcase everything you have to offer – both personal and professional skills. If your potential employer can see your passion for the role you are aiming to secure, you are that much closer to getting it.
Billie: I would advise that they use the help and support that is available from Creative Access and similar groups. It can be easy to feel like you aren’t “in need enough” to use the support that is available, but it is there for a reason.
