Trainee production assistant

Closing date: Sunday 24th August 2025 at 11.59pm

Salary: Training allowance equivalent to London Living Wage

Duration: 12 months

Working hours: 40 hours per week (including unpaid breaks)

Start date: September 2025

This is a great opportunity for an aspiring theatre professional to work at an independent producing theatre, developing a broad range of skills that will support a career as an arts producer or manager.

The Orange Tree (OT) is an award-winning, independent theatre. Recognised as a powerhouse that creates high-quality productions of new and rediscovered plays, we entertain 70,000 people across the UK every year. Our mission is to produce a mix of new and rediscovered plays in our unique in-the-round space, challenging, moving, and amazing audiences. We aim to create a welcoming environment where everyone can experience the joy, power, and creativity of live theatre, enriching audiences and fostering a sense of community.

The trainee production assistant will gain hands on experience in theatre producing and administration, assisting the general manager/producer on the producing of the artistic programme as well as assisting on the casting of in-house, education and co-produced shows; and the management of the administration offices.

Key activities

• Managing key processes and systems relating to in house productions and external events, including day to day administration, scheduling and co-ordination, and contracting actors and creative staff.
• Other day to day administrative activities to support the general manager/producer.
• Supporting the producing delivery of shows, co-ordinating and managing key administrative tasks, such as availability checks for actors and creative teams, creating and keeping up-to date contact sheets, production schedules and ensuring appropriate record keeping and filing.
• Supporting the Producer with casting duties, including availability checks, scheduling and confirming auditions, prepping admin support around auditions.
• Supporting the Producer, where necessary, in arranging UK and international travel and accommodation, including visa applications.
• Attending Production meetings where appropriate
• Preparing royalty statements for creative teams and actors following OT On Screen.
• Supporting the Producer and Company Manager with arrangements for company welcome, induction and first day of rehearsals; sending calls to creative teams/companies; and ensuring the wider organisation are aware of key moments.
• Arranging preview drinks and press night gifts and cards.
• Supporting the co-ordination and delivery of press nights and any post-show events.
• Support the administration of recruitment for full and part time OT Staff.
• Assisting the Executive Assistant with general administration where necessary.
• Minuting and circulate notes from weekly staff meetings.
• Attending regular cross-departmental meetings and working to ensure effective information-sharing around productions and projects to support the overall work of the Orange Tree Theatre.
• Participating in all training and development initiatives as required.
• Attending OT first preview and press nights and fundraising events (as required).
• Contributing to a respectful and inspirational culture for staff, actors and creative teams including upholding and developing our commitments and practice around dignity and wellbeing at work.

What we're looking for

• Some previous experience in an administrative role
• Knowledge and experience of Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, Powerpoint)
• Experience with working with different professionals
• Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines at once
• A systematic approach to administrative tasks, including the ability to keep and provide up to date records and reports
• Excellent communication skills – both written and verbal
• Collaborative and supportive team player
• Excellent attention to detail, especially in regards to proofreading
• Proactive and able to anticipate needs or solve problems independently, where required
• An interest in personal and professional development
• An interest and commitment to theatre
• Commitment to equality and inclusion and creating respectful, equitable working environment
• An ability to pick up and analyse information quickly and to learn and understand processes and ways of working

To apply

• Log in to your Creative Access account or register today to apply for this opportunity
• Upload your CV and cover letter as one document (applications without a tailored cover letter will not be accepted)
• Once submitted, you can no longer amend your application, so proof-read carefully
• Do not contact the company directly
• Please email any queries about this role to Creative Access at this address: recruit@creativeaccess.org.uk

This opportunity is open to individuals from groups that are under-represented in the creative industries. This includes, but is not limited to, individuals who identify as Black, Asian, or from other ethnically diverse backgrounds, or people of any ethnicity who belong to the following under-represented groups: disabled people, people with the characteristic of gender reassignment, individuals from lower socioeconomic backgrounds, carers and asylum seekers.

The successful candidate for this opportunity will also participate in a Creative Access support programme that sits alongside workplace training. This includes a programme of induction training, monthly masterclasses, wellbeing support, buddying / mentoring and more.