Work Experience: My Week at The Place

As an A-Level student who takes Dance, Media and English Language, this work experience has been a phenomenal opportunity for me to get an insight to all positions and careers in which create the dance family. During my time this week, I have explored a variety of departments such as: LCDS, Communications, Finances, Creative learning, as well as being very lucky to observe BA classes, and have fun being included in adults over 60s class!

Moreover, being a CAT student currently at The Place, it highlighted to me the amount of work and operations on which go on behind the scenes, which shouldn’t go unnoticed. For example, when I visited the costume department I was welcomed with a variety of costumes and fabrics some even being over two decades old. The costume department was always there in case a student needed help fixing or choosing a new costume. Or when attending a theatre meeting and understanding the level of detail put in with lighting, staging, and props to produce a 5-star production.

As previously mentioned, earlier in the week I was lucky enough to observe BA1 classes which truly inspired and enlightened me. It was amazing hearing personal stories and advice from the students, all sharing our love for dance together- helping me understand different opportunities and courses to take in the future. Moreover, seeing the variety of different dance styles taught from locking to gravity mechanics, all in which was accompanied with live music creating a magical atmosphere.

Furthermore, I had an admissions Q&A session with Cindy Cheung in LCDS which was a wonderful experience, helping me gain further knowledge in the audition process for dance schools and universities after the CAT scheme, deepening my understanding for the specific pathways and further explaining different courses and options that are available at The Place. As well as my trip to the school library, my work experience offered me career advice as I enjoy Dance and Media studies, discovering that screen arts may be the calling.

Finally, I would like to thank everyone who was part of this process, especially Richard from HR who made me feel welcomed with every aspect of the process and Zahra Hasnain from HR for creating such a varied and unique timetable for the week. Which allowed me to work and be involved in basically every department, as well as the staff and students which welcomed me each day, inspiring me with their work effort and continuous kindness, overall showing that within this building there is an amazing community.

By Violet Pope