Masterclass and Sonia Friedman Productions are seeking applications for a Wigs, Hair and Make-up (WHAM) Intern, to work on the London production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. This is an exciting development opportunity for someone who wishes to gain practical experience of working in a theatre WHAM department, as well as wider industry insight. The trainee will be fully integrated into the show by working across performances, rehearsals and maintenance calls.

ABOUT THE SHOW

Based on an original new story by J.K. Rowling, Jack Thorne and John Tiffany, Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is a new play by Jack Thorne which received its world premiere in London’s West End at the Palace Theatre in summer 2016. The critically acclaimed production is the most awarded West End play in the history of the Olivier Awards, winning a record-breaking nine awards including Best New Play and Best Director in 2017. 

Unlike most theatre shows, the London production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is in two Parts: this means that audience members attend both the matinee and evening performances of show days to experience the full story.

WIGS, HAIR AND MAKE-UP DEPARTMENT

The Wigs, Hair and Make-Up (WHAM) department is crucial to creating the spectacle of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. There are 46 actors in the cast and a whole range of WHAM designs that the team are responsible for executing. These designs require the maintenance and fitting of actors’ wigs, hair styling, character make up, body make up and prosthetics. Check out the Cursed Child Instagram for a variety of reels of the cast in WHAM! @cursedchildldn.

The show is a busy, fast paced environment with a multitude of learning opportunities. The WHAM team on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child is committed to providing the support necessary to train up the next generation of theatre WHAM professionals.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Wig setting and dressing
• Afro/textured hair styling and prepping
• Barbering
• Character and fashion make-up
• Prosthetics

The successful candidate will be supported by the WHAM team and receive any necessary training. There is also the opportunity to meet with Carole Hancock, who has worked on the show since its inception, and who is responsible for maintaining the WHAM design on Harry Potter and the Cursed Child around the world, to learn about the design process of the show and ask any design and career-related questions.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

This internship is a development and learning opportunity for those at the start of their theatre career, or those who are interested in taking their first steps in the industry.

Candidates should:

• Have a strong interest in theatre and a curious, hardworking attitude
• Be able to demonstrate some knowledge and experience of working with wigs, hair and make-up (which doesn't need to have been gained in theatre, or even in a professional context). Interest in and/or understanding of Afro styling and barbering is desirable but not essential.
• Be eager to learn on the job, while contributing as part of a busy team
• Have excellent communication and organisational skills
• Work calmly under pressure and be able to solve problems as they arise
• Not have had professional experience working in the WHAM department on a large-scale commercial production. (Our internships vary from entry-level placements to later career development opportunities. This role is an entry-level placement for someone with relevant skills who has not yet had an opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a theatre context.)

The nature of this opportunity, and the funding to support it, means that we have a strong preference for candidates under the age of 25, and who are resident in the London boroughs of Barnet, Brent, Camden, City of London, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster. We will, however, consider all candidates. To check your borough, click here.

Candidates must:

• Be aged 18+
• Be available for the full duration of the placement
• Have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the placement.

Sonia Friedman Productions and Masterclass are committed to building a theatre workforce that embraces equality, diversity and inclusion. As such, our recruitment focuses on providing opportunities to those currently underrepresented in our workforce, and across the entertainment industry. We particularly welcome and encourage applications from candidates from the global majority, who come from a working class background, who have access requirements, or who have faced specific obstacles to progression. (This role will be based in a venue without step-free access, but reasonable adjustments will be made to ensure that the successful candidate can operate effectively.)

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Start Date: Monday 22 April 2024

End Date: Sunday 28 July 2024

Job Location: West End London 

Contract Type: Part-time, Fixed Term  

Salary: London Living Wage 

Working Pattern: Three days per week, equating to approximately 25 hours per week. These may be weekdays or weekends and will involve evening work. Some flexibility will be given for studying, working another part-time job or managing caring responsibilities.

TO APPLY

Please complete this application form.

You can download the questions to prepare in advance here.

OR, if this process is not accessible to you, please send a video or audio file explaining your interest in WHAM, your experiences to date, and how you would benefit from the placement, to info@masterclass.org.uk with the subject heading: WHAM - SFP

Closing date: 9.00am, Tuesday 12 March

First interviews: early April

With grateful thanks to Sonia Friedman Productions for making this opportunity possible.

If you have any questions, please contact the Masterclass office by email: info@masterclass.org.uk