Birmingham Hippodrome
Technical Apprentice
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ABOUT US:
With a mission to enrich the cultural life of our region, Birmingham Hippodrome is one of the most popular theatre complexes in the UK. Varied productions in our 1,850-seat auditorium (dating from 1899), and in our 200-seat Patrick Studio ensure we play a key role in the region’s world-class cultural scene. With c.400 live performances annually in our main house, we present nothing but the best in touring musical theatre, ballet, dance, opera, pantomime, drama, and comedy. Our Patrick Studio welcomes a range of smaller-scale productions and is an important base for dance and for the development of new artistic work.
Our Tech Team is welcoming, inclusive, and committed to passing on knowledge and skills, willing to teach and train. Plus, we get to work on some of the largest UK touring shows. This year we had 2 of our amazing apprentices graduate, and both are now working in Technical Theatre roles.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
- Full Time – 40 hours per week, which includes one day of college per week (remotely delivered by Chichester College Group).
- Frequent work during evenings and weekends, and sometimes overnights, around show performances.
- Fixed term contract - this is a 24-month contract to complete a Level 3 Creative Venue Technician apprenticeship.
- Full training provided, plus support from Chichester College Group
As an apprentice in the vibrant world of theatre, the post-holder will play an active role in supporting the technical team to deliver high-quality theatre productions. From the buzz of show days to the behind-the-scenes magic, they will gain hands-on experience across a wide range of technical activities both on and off stage, including get-ins and get-outs, show running, equipment maintenance, and general backstage operations. This role offers a unique opportunity to learn the full scope of technical theatre while contributing to the smooth and successful running of live performances.
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ABOUT YOU:
We are looking for someone with a real passion and interest in technical theatre. Previous experience would be useful, but it's more important that you are proactive, motivated, and eager to learn.
You must be over 18 (or will be by 21 September) and have passed GCSE English and Maths. You cannot have a degree-level qualification as a Creative Venue Technician or in Technical Theatre, but an adjacent subject such as Music Production would be fine.
You must also have:
- Basic computer skills.
- Some theatrical exposure and knowledge.
- Ability to work in a manual environment.
- Effective and efficient communicator.
- Excellent teamwork skills; Confident working and communicating with people at all levels.
- Self-awareness about your learning style, able to help managers to get the best from you.
- Excellent time-keeping abilities, able to follow instructions in a timely manner.
- Creative and problem-solving skills.
- Proven passion and a keen interest in technical theatre.
- Personal alignment with Birmingham Hippodrome’s Values.
- Respect for others, values diversity, and can work with in a diverse team with a wide range of people.
- An adaptable and flexible attitude to working in any parts of the organisation and completing new tasks as required.
- Keen to learn and develop, open to trying new areas and motivated to take part in new opportunities.
- A positive and proactive approach to work.
- Comfortable working at heights.
- Comfortable with physical work in a manual working environment.
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Recognising under-representation in our workforce of the global majority, and people with disabilities, we particularly welcome applicants from those backgrounds.
OUR APPRENTICES:
Four of Birmingham Hippodrome's current and previous Technical Apprentices managing sound and lighting for an event.
Birmingham Hippodrome are very proud of our apprenticeships tradition, particularly in our Technical department, and won an Apprenticeship Employer of the Year award in 2025. Our previous Technical Apprentices have:
- Helped bring major musicals and our spectacular annual pantomime to life.
- Gained hands-on experience across backstage roles, including stage crew, followspot operation and pyrotechnics.
- Worked on lighting for musicals, ballets, operas, festivals and live events.
- Assisted with building sets and installing professional sound systems for touring productions.
- Supported large-scale productions, taking part in flys operations for immersive dance and audiovisual performances.
- Learned industry-standard theatre terminology, technology and software from experienced professionals.
- Shadowed backstage of touring productions, including rehearsals and promotional filming.
- Worked as show crews and operators across our main theatre and studio spaces.
- Designed and operated lighting for live comedy and other performances with creative input.
- Completed industry-recognised training, including ETC Eos lighting desks, pyrotechnics, Portable Appliance Testing, Tallescope, ABTT Bronze Award, IPAF, and d&b audiotechnik sound workshops.
- Designed and built press nights for major musicals and for our big winter pantomime.
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