Imran recently completed an eight-week technical internship at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, where he worked on Farm Hall, Waiting for Godot and Peppa Pig’s Fun Day Out.

What did your internship include?

During the run of Waiting for Godot I’ve had the chance to work in every department. I’ve operated the flys, lighting, sound and automation, as well as working in the stage crew and doing some carpentry. Before starting the internship I’d tried out electrics at the Kiln Theatre, and I thought that’s where my interest lay, but I’ve always enjoyed woodwork and the internship showed me that I could make a career in theatre carpentry. I also really enjoyed getting more involved with sound.

What skills did you develop during your internship?

Rope skills! They’re so important for moving kit on stage, and you need to learn to tie the right knot, quickly. But I’ve learned so much more as well. I spent a week learning the Sound plot for Waiting for Godot and annotating the script, and now I operate Sound quite regularly. I learned to fit mics – fitting mics on the children could be particularly tricky, but the Waiting for Godot team gave me some useful tips for fitting mics comfortably. I can also operate a lighting desk and do the lighting plot now and then. On the carpentry side I’ve learned loads. Before I started I could easily make a picture frame, for example, but now I could make a better picture frame, more quickly and with less waste. Just watching Phil (Master Carpenter) I’ve learned better ways to hold materials, to take measurements, to use scrap wood – nothing gets wasted if it can possibly be repurposed.

As well as technical skills I’ve gained more confidence in the workplace. For example, when you’re working on stage you have to yell before you make any changes in the space, for the safety of everyone nearby. To start with I was too self-conscious to yell properly, but it has to be done and I’m finally confident enough to communicate loudly and clearly when I need to.

What was your favourite part of the internship?

I enjoy the atmosphere of the theatre and the people in it. There’s a real open-mindedness about learning and a willingness to try different ways of doing things. I made the occasional mistake during my internship and, as long as you can deal with sarcasm and British humour, then people are generally pretty forgiving and just keen to ensure that things are done better next time. Every member of the in-house team and the visiting company has taught me something.

With another member of the team I made some glorious step-off platforms for one of the shows. We used scrap wood and they were absolutely beautiful. In the end they weren’t needed, but they were still glorious! Also during my internship the team refurbished the crew room, including a scale replica of the Theatre Royal Haymarket stage. It was a real team effort – everyone got involved - and it even has working ropes and counterweights.

What is a piece of advice you would give to someone who is about to start their lighting internship or an offstage internship in general?

Start with an open mind, knowing that you don’t know everything. Always ask questions, but find the right time to do that. People are always happy to teach you things, if you’re happy to learn. In this industry, people are always learning, even after years and years, because every show is different and brings new challenges.

What’s next in your offstage career journey?

My internship at the Theatre Royal Haymarket has come to an end, but I’ve been given a two-month contract extension, so I haven’t left yet. (And being offered the contract extension taught me another important skill – being able to talk about pay!) I’m looking forward to working on the get-out for Waiting for Godot, which will be a big job, and then being involved with the next show that’s coming in. After that I’m considering looking for roles as a Tech ASM on tour, as a charge hand or stage crew.