Are you a superstar live/creative events tech enthusiast who wants to gain further practical experience, a recognised qualification and a way into the arts industry while getting paid?

If so, then this is the apprenticeship for you! You will be working within a dynamic and busy arts charity planning, setting up, running and striking a diverse range of events, projects and performances both within our brand-new venue and other venues.

The role of an Apprentice Creative Venue Technician will work within the small team at Viva Arts and Community Group helping to run The Viva Theatre and our other activities.

Key responsibilities will include:

Assist in maintenance of theatre lighting and sound equipment ensuring electrical and physical safety within the theatre

Assist in setting up the theatre for in-coming professional and community performances and dismantle afterwards

Work with incoming and resident companies to provide technical, staging and sound assistance

Work on all get ins and get outs

Work with the general manager to provide technical assistance for venue hirers

Assist in presentations of NT Live screenings and film club

Maintain technical interpretation equipment in the foyer

Design, programme and operate sound and lighting for Viva productions and events

Assist in working with and advising Viva technical volunteers

Assist and deputise (if necessary) for Viva volunteers in managing lighting for performances

Assist in set building and prop making

Hours of work

30 hrs/week split across Monday to Sunday depending on events planned each week

Requirements and prospects

Desired skills

Experience working on live events including theatre (plays and musicals)

Strong, proven experience and/or qualification in sound and lighting design

Experience of rigging and operating theatre and event sound and lighting

Excellent working knowledge of IT including projector set-up, PowerPoint presentations and specific theatre industry operating and design programs

Up to date knowledge of lighting systems, control apparatus, equipment and its maintenance

Up to date knowledge of digital audio and audio-visual equipment and its use in relation to live, recorded and play-back techniques

Experience in implementing health and safety requirements and risk assessments

Experience and confident working at height

Basic carpentry skills

Possession of a full clean driving licence (due to the nature of the role and travelling to different venues)

Personal qualities

Love of theatre and the arts

Excellent interpersonal skills, able to communicate clearly and consistently with all theatre and event space users, especially non-technical users

Highly organised with successful experience in meeting deadlines and managing conflicting priorities

Confident in manual-handling/heavy lifting of theatre equipment, climbing ladders etc. and able to do so safely

Confident in working independently but also willing to collaborate across many departments

Ability to work flexible hours including evenings and some weekends

Empathy with the aims and ethos of the charity

Desired qualifications

5 GCSEs grade 9-4/A*-C or equivalent including maths and English

A Level or BTEC Level 3 in relevant subject (e.g. Electrical Engineering) or equivalent in work experience

Future prospects

This role will give the experience required to gain employment as a theatre or venue technician. The charity may also be able to help with contacts which may lead to employment following the apprenticeship.

Things to consider

This role will involve unsociable hours and irregular working patterns. It is also physically challenging and can be pressured.