Matthew Angove, success of the CIDA Theatre Internship programme and now gainfully employed by the West Yorkshire Playhouse, Leeds, answers your questions:
1. How did you find out about the CIDA internships?
I had actually signed up for CIDA for about 6 months before I had one of my regular meetings with Jo Wilkinson. We were just talking about possible approaches to the industry when the idea of a theatre internship came about.
2. What were you doing before the internship?
I had left university about twelve months before the internship started, but had been working with CIDA for 6 months and had managed to gain some volunteer work at Huddersfield Hospital Radio after a full time job. This was a great break for me as getting a foothold in the industry is hard enough, but finding something that you actually look forward to doing every week is a god send. I was then admitted to the prestigious West Yorkshire Playhouse on a 6 month placement within the Sound Department which threw me straight into working on productions and maintaining the vast amount of Sound Equipment in this producing theatre. The placement was gained through CIDA and four months on, the decision was made to offer me an internship, which I gratefully accepted.
3. Was it what you expected?
It was great! Although the placement had given me superb grounding for theatre work, with the internship, the work and experience I got became more involved and within my first months I was operating shows! All this along with the increased involvement in the technical preparations for in house and touring shows made this a very rewarding time for me. It was a lot more than I expected, and I am sure that it will keep on impressing!
4. Any highlights?
Every show has its own highlight but the two that stick out for me would be doing the sound design for Runaway Diamonds and operation of the sound desk for the part musical that was Once Upon A Quarry Hill. Kept me right on the edge....for every show!
5. How did the job offer come about?
The 'then' Assistant Sound Technician left the department after the Christmas musical and the department was back down to a total of three people. That was fine for the rest of the season but as the time ran out on my internship, it was obvious that the department would lack, what was now, a crucial member to the team, and so offered me the job. The fact that I knew everyone and the building fairly well may have given me a slight advantage.
6. During your internship, did your ideas about what you wanted to do change at all?
Before my internship, all I knew was that I had a BSc in Music Technology and that I wanted to do something within that field. I had tried studio work, radio, TV & Film and so I thought that I should have a go at theatre. You know what they say..."Best things come to those who wait!" By far the best choice I could have made.
7. Can you give us any details of your new job – start date? Title? Responsibilities? Prospects?
I have actually started my new job and I am now classed as The Playhouse's Assistant Sound Technician. This involves me setting up and rigging shows that are in house or touring, maintaining equipment and liaising with other departments.
8. Was it all worthwhile?
It was very worthwhile. Contacting CIDA helped me along and gave me great drive and ambition. The fact that I managed to land a placement and then an internship just shows that with a bit of effort, anything can be achieved. Now I suppose I have to live up to that statement.
9. Any other information you would like to impart!
If anybody has any further questions they would like to ask please email me at mathew.angove@wyp.org.uk. I have had a great time working in co-operation with CIDA and they have treated me very well. They have supported me 100% and I am so grateful for it.
Thank you, Matthew for your time and answers
CIDA Intern success answers your questions