Round Midnight Creative Arts is the not-for-profit company that runs Raw Talent, and the team recently had the pleasure of hosting Sophia’s work experience in our Birmingham based offices.
It is always a pleasure to be able to support young people in their first experience of the world of work, especially in an industry that is driven by passion, talent and community. We were really impressed by Sophia’s adaptability, eye for detail and her work ethic – it was also a special privilege to have her run an activity for the 6-11 Drama Group where she really came into her own. And what did Sophia think of her time with RMCA? Read on to find out…
“Throughout my five-day work experience placement with Round Midnight Creative Arts, I have been showered with both general professional workplace experience and experience related directly to the career path of my choice: the performing arts.
My first task was to help promote Raw Talent’s (RMCA’s award-winning and vibrant youth theatre) upcoming performing arts summer school. Through this task – spreading the word through emails and social media groups – I learnt about the process of marketing and even about the summer school itself.
Continuing on from this, I worked on editing Raw Talent documents, making prop lists for scripts, and sat in on a meeting with the Raw Talent team, Executive Director and Composer Sami; Writer and Director Josh; and a new member of the team, Charley, who would be leading rehearsals and choreographing/teaching dance routines for the summer school.
From this, I learnt more about the process of leading a youth theatre, including the planning of rehearsals and discussions about safeguarding children. Moreover, I found out that all Raw Talent’s scripts are completely original, written by the directors, and that even their songs are originally composed! By this point, I had heard a lot about Raw Talent, so I was, of course, quite enthusiastic to finally get the chance to see it for myself.
First, I went to see the 6-11 group; having only recently finished their final summer term performance, they had the luxury of a session filled with fun-filled games and drama activities. I had the honour of leading one myself, drawing inspiration from an activity I had previously learnt at a Frantic Assembly physical theatre workshop.
The 11-16 group were in the height of rehearsals, with their performance upcoming in only two days. For their session, the time was spent checking costumes, frantically rehearsing, and running characterisation exercises. I was pleased to hear afterwards that the performance had been immaculate.
As hard as it was to find a placement at all, I feel so lucky – looking back – to have been given an opportunity so closely related to performing arts. Overall, the experience has really increased my confidence and has been absolutely riveting. I met so many people who love what I love, all with a plethora of different experiences and specialities: people who write and compose, who went to drama school (like I wish to do someday) and act, and who dance and sing.
Beyond doubt, this placement has been so enriching and has been of utmost inspiration to me. Thank you to everybody at Round Midnight Creative Arts for allowing me to complete my work experience here. I am so grateful for the time you spent organising this placement for me, everything you taught me, your trust and respect, warmth and encouragement. I look forward to any opportunity in the future for me to work with you again!”
And how long did Sophia wait to reunite with the Raw Talent and RMCA team? About 2 weeks! She signed up to join the 11-16 Summer School she had spent a week prepping for. A real sign of the fun she had, the skills she learnt, and the power of Raw Talent!
We wish you every success in your education and career, Sophia, and we can’t wait to see you perform tomorrow in Plant of the Capes: REBORN!