TheatreCraft, “the UK’s largest free careers event dedicated to offstage roles in theatre”, is bringing together leading UK theatre organisations to highlight the vital role of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) skills in theatre and inspire the next generation of technical talent.
TheatreCraft will showcase theatre STEM careers at the Big Bang Fair at the NEC, Birmingham from Tuesday until Thursday, 9 to 11 June. This annual event, aimed at 10- to 12-year-olds, is expected to attract an audience of 22,000.
At the TheatreCraft stand, participating theatre venues and technical specialists will demonstrate how STEM skills are used across automation, lighting, sound design, digital media and production management.
Interactive activities will give young people hands-on opportunities to learn, showcasing the practical application of science, technology and engineering in live performance environments. Industry technicians will lead demonstrations, offering insight into their roles.
Organisations supporting TheatreCraft with staff and equipment are ABBA Voyage, Adlib, Birmingham Hippodrome, LW Theatres, National Theatre, Nederlander Theatres, Royal Albert Hall, Royal Ballet and Opera, Royal Shakespeare Company, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, Unusual Rigging and Wolverhampton Grand Theatre.
Clare Annamalai, co-chief executive of TheatreCraft’s parent company Get Into Theatre, said, “by giving young people the chance to get hands-on with theatre kit we’ll spark their curiosity. By doing this in non-theatre spaces we’ll reach young people who might not otherwise have considered theatre, and by engaging parents and teachers in the conversation we’ll help to explode some of the myths that persist about theatre careers.”
Further information is available at the TheatreCraft web site.