Joe's work experience

Last week, Joe spent a week away from school, working mainly on TAG projects for his work experience:

I have liked so many things in the Citizen’s Theatre during work experience like going to Bannerman high school to see a rehearsal of their play and then going to the royal concert hall to see their performance and learning about the rosey project.

I have also liked being about the office and meeting everyone here, They are all very helpful , friendly and great to talk.

I have been about the theatre and seen a rehearsal of a play called “The Monster in the Hall” it was great to watch and everyone had a pleasant mood about them.

Even just doing normal work is fun because the atmosphere is so nice and everyone is really cheerful. I’d say I have had a very nice experience here and I would happily do it again.

Joe

One in a million

Some people just make you smile. I definitely think Liam McCabe is one of those people. Liam (from Cardinal Newman High School), who has been on placement with us this week has written a blog entry and...wait for it...a poem about his time in the theatre:

"My week at the Citizens Theatre (in the Citizens Learning and TAG department) was an incredible experience. Not only has it changed my mind about the career I want to pursue, but it has given me an insight into the world of work. I have enjoyed the culture, the people, the theatre and the positivity of it all. I was looking forward to this week and it is what I expected and much, much more than I could ever imagine. I discovered being busy is a great thing and it can be fun as well. I’ve written up hand written scripts and written my own on the Thursday. I’ve laminated things, photocopied things and lots and lots of other work jobs which I found good to learn. I have seen the original foundations of the Victorian stage which showed me history and drama, two of my favourite subjects rolled into one. The tour was fascinating as knowing all about the theatre, its history, its present and hearing about their bold ideas for the future of there establishment. Everything about my work experience was exciting, educational and fun. There was so much to take in and do and I was almost always busy and doing something to keep myself active and working all the time. Overall, my experience was incredible. I feel sorry for those who did not enjoy their placement as mine was incredibly fun and exciting. My favourite part of the overall experience was the fact that I had the opportunity to not only write my own script but generally contribute to the theatre and its production. For my last day of this experience I wrote up a poem for the people I’ve worked closest with. Remember it was only a 20 minute job so, if it is terrible don't be surprised!



The Citizens Theatre is the place to be,
People to meet, people to see.
Tragedy, Comedy!
Everything’s there!
The audience watch, the actors share.
My time here has been great for me,
It’s shown me a place where I could be.

The people here are really great,
It’s shame I am here till a set-in-stone-date.
Martin, my mentor,
My hats off to you.
You have helped me with everything I had to do.
You showed me work, and the Citizens pride,
You put me under your wing and kept me at your side.

Angela, Angela, you are with child.
Your antics inspiring, though often wild.
Always glowing with happiness, day by day,
And I know your baby will be great by the way.

Neil, is the one always on the phone,
So many calls, yet never he moans.
Your brain always active, ideas pop on lights.
And you always found the time to treat me right.

Louise, you are rather smart and silly,
And always there for some laughter.
Never staying still, always busy,
Buy you can sit and have some toffee after.

Though not all mentioned, I thank everyone,
For being here to make me feel so great.
Although, it’s true we've rarely seen sun,
I would love to stay till a later date.

But sadly that cannot be done,
And returning to school must happen.
I do not regret having begun,
And my memories will never be dampened."

By Liam McCabe.

Hx

A week at the theatre

This week I have had the privilege of working with lovely people from the Citizens' Theatre and TAG theatre company as part of my weeks work experience. I'd like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been involved in my placement. I have had a marvellous time this week and it has been an experience second to none.

I was delighted on Monday to be able to observe rehearsals for Waiting for Godot. I found the rehearsal process extremely interesting, listening to the director Guy Hollands and the actors, discussing the text and deciding on the real meaning of their lines, It was fascinating to listen in on the different approaches. I also had the excitement of watching a run through of Act one, It was great and I'm really looking forward to seeing the finished production.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, I went out with Neil and Louise to Bannerman High School and met even more lovely people. It was all part of a project with Learning Teaching Scotland to create a short film about financial issues that could be shown in other schools in Glasgow. It was a hectic couple of days, the first day devising the scenes that needed to be filmed, the second day filming, introducing the ultimate game of "Whoosh!" and our adventure through the school to find a spare classroom which unfortunately was unsuccessful and our magical mystery tour ended up in the school canteen and the staff car park.

Then on Thursday, I got another fantastic opportunity to go out to Glenlee Primary School with Elly and Angela to observe a creative writing workshop that will ultimately end in the production of a book of the children's work. It was brilliant being immersed in the children's imaginations, they were exceptionally talented and had many great ideas.

My weeks work experience was full of excitement. Having the chance to work with awe-inspiring people from many different aspects of drama has really added to the learning experience. I don't think I've ever learned so much in such a short period of time before and this is entirely due to all the great work and effort that everyone put in to create an interesting week for me. So all in, it was a fantastic experience.

Thanks again for giving me the chance to be part of your team for a week. I can't bare the thought of returning to school now but hopefully our paths will cross soon and I'll see you again.

Jayne Austin (Castlehead High School)
(...Written without Pride and Prejudice)

My Work Experience

For the past five days I’ve had the good fortune of working for the Citizens’ Theatre and the TAG Theatre company.

On the Monday I was fired into some admin work which in all fairness didn’t bother me in the slightest as it showed I was being treated as a young adult instead of a wee school wean which I thoroughly appreciated. Finally on the Wednesday I was sent to rehearsals for Waiting For Godot. Wow! It was terrific if my mind wasn’t made up before being an actor it most certainly is now. The actors and director were terrific there performances were very enthralling and I’m really looking forward to seeing the final show.
Later on that day I went to the rehearsals for Wee Fairy Tales which was from what I saw an exciting and very amusing production. The actors were very friendly and one in particular, Billy Mack, who gave me some very good advice which was very much appreciated. The Thursday was spent in Bannerman High School. This was also really good if not a bit surreal being in a different school from my own. The pupil’s behaviour was impeccable and the teachers were also very friendly. And today being my last day everyone is still as friendly as they were on my first day.

I must say that I’m really happy here and I’m a bit depressed about having to go back to school as I would gladly work here. And working here in the future is something that I would seriously consider thanks to this fantastic opportunity.

I don’t think my work experience could have gone any better it’s been a fantastic experience and I’m grateful to very one here who has helped me throughout the past working week. Whether it was Cat showing me how to work the franking machine, Martin inviting me to lunch everyday, Alison being really helpful patient and friendly, Louise and Neil inviting me along to Bannerman High School and letting me observe what they did there, Helen for helping me with just about everything, Angela being beyond brilliant with me, and Guy, Gerry, Kevin, Jeremy, Billy, Judith and Steven for letting me sit in on there excellent dress rehearsals (which by the way I’m sure will be highly successful shows) and last but not least thanks to Elly who gave me some great ideas for Valentines day presents =).

Thanks to you all you’ve been magnificent.

J
(Jonny Byrne, Uddingston Grammar)

Ed. Thanks to Jonny for being so enthusiastic, capable and willing to help out in lots of tasks! Well done.