Albee recently completed her four-month internship at Masterclass.

What did your internship include?

I recently finished my four-month Event Production Internship with Theatrecraft. TheatreCraft is project-managed by Masterclass, so I spent most of my time based at the Theatre Royal Haymarket with the Masterclass / TheatreCraft team. With only three full-time staff, it’s amazing how much they achieve—and being part of such a small, close-knit team meant I got to do a bit of everything. I was primarily involved in helping to plan TheatreCraft, a huge career event for young people in theatre, which involved everything from creating newsletters in Mailchimp (and attempting to master Illustrator!), to ordering T-shirts and interviewing volunteers. However I also got the opportunity to see some parts of the Masterclass programme, including masterclasses with industry professionals and script sessions for aspiring writers. Every day was different, and one of the most rewarding parts was recruiting and managing over 50 volunteers for TheatreCraft—seeing it all come together on the day was such a proud moment. It was a steep learning curve, but I loved every second of it!

What was your favourite part of the internship?

Ooh, it’s so hard to choose just one highlight, but I’d have to say my favourite part was seeing everything come together on the day. The team and I were at the Royal Opera House until late the night before and back early in the morning to set everything up. It was my first TheatreCraft, and I had no idea what to expect—I was definitely stressing out! But that morning, as exhibitors started arriving and setting up their tables, and volunteers came in to get into position, it all suddenly clicked: we were open. More than 1,100 young people came through the doors, and seeing myself as part of the team that made all that happen was such a rewarding feeling.

I also really enjoyed the script sessions that I got to sit in on. Writers can submit their scripts and then Masterclass brings in suitable actors to read a section of the piece. They also invite a director and a set designer to join the session, giving the writer more insights and a full picture of how their work could come to life on stage. It’s such an incredible opportunity for young theatremakers—not only does it allow them to connect with like-minded people, but it also serves as an incubator for potential collaborations. As a writer myself, I know how hard it is to find people to read your work, let alone share something so personal without feeling nervous. These sessions create a safe, supportive space for creativity to flourish, and that’s something I find truly inspiring.

What was your biggest challenge during the internship?

I think the biggest challenge was the pressure of getting things done quickly and doing them well. As I mentioned before, the team is incredibly small, and many of the Masterclass membership and TheatreCraft attendees were shocked to learn that all the magic at TheatreCraft and Masterclass is created by just a few people. This means everyone has to give their absolute best because we rely on each other so much. For example, if someone is making a spreadsheet based on a rota I’ve created, I need to make sure every detail is precise and accurate—otherwise, they’ll have to redo a lot of work. The closer we got to TheatreCraft, the more intense it became, with people working overtime to get everything ready. I definitely made my fair share of mistakes during the internship, but the team was so supportive that I always felt comfortable to keep going and confident enough to improve.

What was the highlight of your internship?

The highlight for me was definitely seeing how much young people enjoyed and benefitted from the projects that I was helping to make happen. It’s such a rewarding feeling to read their positive feedback about and hear how grateful they are for the free and insightful workshops at TheatreCraft. The last masterclass I attended was with Billy Howle, who mentioned he wouldn’t be where he is today without opportunities like this. It’s so true! What Theatrecraft and Masterclass offer has the potential to change lives—not just through the practical skills people gain but also through the psychological reassurance that they’re on the right path. The community they foster is genuinely inspiring, and knowing that those who have benefited will one day be in a position to give back makes it all the more meaningful.

What advice would I give to young people looking to get into theatre?

My biggest advice would be to get out there and grab opportunities, even if it’s something as small as volunteering at your local theatre. Nothing happens overnight in this industry—it’s one where you must build yourself up from the bottom. And don’t take yourself too seriously! There’s no room for an attitude of “I’m too good for this” or “I won’t do that.” My mum has this saying “you can’t build a car with the gate closed,” and that’s stuck with me. You need to get out there, explore, meet people and try new things. Over time, you’ll not only build your skills but also your confidence, and that’s when things start to come together.