Lighthouse work experience day is a big hit with young people

Lighthouse staged its first Work Experience Day last weekend as 15 Year 10 pupils from local schools got a taste of life at one of the country’s largest multi-venue arts centres.

As well as hearing about the different jobs that make Lighthouse work, the young people were able to learn about how the different performance spaces are used and how sound and lighting function in them.

“I just wanted to thank you for the amazing opportunity today, I thoroughly enjoyed it,” said one young person.

“I also wanted to thank you for the sugar-free sweets and chocolate, it was really touching to feel my needs considered and I’m very grateful. I definitely learned a lot today and enjoyed learning from the best.”

The Work Experience Day was organised in response to the unprecedented number of requests Lighthouse received this year. More than 50 young people applied, but only 17 could be accommodated for the full week-long work experience programme, prompting Lighthouse teams to organise a taster day for a further group of 15.

“It was a really good opportunity to welcome young people with an interest in art and culture to come and see how Lighthouse works,” says General Manager Martyn Balson.

“We were also able to talk about a clear pathway into the industry from work experience through courses such as our Young Technicians, Young Producers and Young Writers on to apprenticeships.”

The work experience group saw demonstrations of cold pyrotechnics and try their hands at sound mixing and vocal modulation in the Theatre, see how the flame thrower stage effect works in the Concert Hall and learn how films are screened and programmed in the Cinema.

“I think they had a good day,” adds Martyn. “We were also able to showcase the Beacon  café, which is an important part of life at Lighthouse. The chicken nuggets and chips were a real hit – much more popular than salad and pasta!”