Last month, I had the extraordinary opportunity to spend a week at Bell Shakespeare in Sydney as part of a work experience program. As a regional high school student passionate about the arts, this was a dream come true. Throughout the week, I immersed myself in the inner workings of one of Australia’s most renowned theatre companies.

One highlight was watching Shakespeare is Dead, performed by "The Players," a lively touring group of three actors who bring Shakespeare to life for regional students. Their innovative approach—mixing humor, energy, and modern relevance—was both educational and entertaining.

I also gained insight into the company’s depth of operations. I shadowed the marketing and advertising team to see how they engage audiences, met with the directing and casting department to understand the intricacies of assembling a production, and explored the creative world of writers. The education team shared their mission of making Shakespeare accessible, while the production management, lighting, and costume teams revealed how technical expertise brings a show to life.

On the final day at Bell Shakespeare in groups of five, we had the opportunity of presenting a pitch for a show to be performed by The Players to the company's team. The pitch included a slideshow of a show outline, casting requirements, advertisement and marketing briefs, costume designs, stage management needs and a fundraising night at which donors could decide whether or not to support the show. 

This experience was truly invaluable, deepening my appreciation for theatre while enhancing my ambition to make the arts accessible to everyone, especially in regional areas like my own.

Erin Drewsen
College Vice Captain