The Fortune Theatre’s upcoming production of Twelfth Night perfectly encapsulates their motto of “Alive, with others, in the moment”, due in part to the exciting collaboration with the University of Otago. This sees eleven Theatre Studies students taking on a number of intern roles within the production, including assistant director, stage manager, set designer and actor.
The partnership between the Fortune Theatre and the University began in 2015 with a collaboration formed around the play Punk Rock. Following the success of that production, it was decided the programme would run again in 2017, this time revolving around the Shakespeare classic Twelfth Night.
The students have been working on the show in their various capacities since February, spending time at the theatre itself, in the rehearsal rooms, in the set workshop and in the costume department. Their reactions to the process so far have all been incredibly positive.
For Beth Waite, Stage Management intern, working on the production has been an extension of work she has done for past university papers, noting how the Theatre Technology paper had provided her with a good base for the role.
For her, this collaboration really cements what young theatre makers learn as they grow up: that there are so many more facets to the theatre than just acting. There are so many ways to get involved in what she describes as “this weird and wonderful, crazy world” and this collaboration has allowed many of the interns to get a taste of what those are.
Kate Johnstone, Orion Carey-Clark and Shaun Swain are the student actors joining the professional company. A highlight for them has been working through such a “positive, funny, energetic process” with an amazing team of actors; to quote Kate, there is “some serious skill in that room”.
Working with Ben Henson, Twelfth Night’s Director, has been a huge part of their experience. He is a director who is “in the world with you”, one hundred percent invested in the play and in the actors. His preparation and dedication to mining the details of the play has taught the actors so much about the work that goes into staging a production, with Shaun noting that it sets a “personal bar to strive for”.
Working with a professional director has also been a high point for assistant directing intern Zoe Connor. She describes Henson as a director that “words can’t express until you see him in action”. The opportunity to be mentored by an industry professional was one of the main reasons she applied for the collaboration in the position that she did. The experience has shown her that spending all day with “people you can laugh with and explore with” is a career option.
For Shannon van Rooijen and Dominic Houlihan, working in both set design and set construction has allowed them to bridge the gap between theory and practice. It has provided them with an opportunity to work in a professional space but still have a safety net to make mistakes and learn. Shannon says they have “taken every opportunity to do something new” and that their mentor, Peter King, has been fully supportive of getting them involved.
Sam Farr has worked with the Fortune’s education program, helping to put together education packs to make the show experience “dynamic and engaging” for the many schools that will come to see the show as part of their high school curriculum. He has found it really rewarding to work in a professional environment where his input has been considered and valued.
The collaboration between the Fortune Theatre and the University of Otago has provided the students with a way to gain work experience in the industry, learning hands-on that can only come from being alive and in the moment. They have been given a taste of just how much there is to learn, but have also gained the confidence to go out and learn those things. As Shannon van Rooijen, phrased it, “your mentor is experienced, but you realise your experiences are bringing things too.”
As for the advice they would give to others possibly about to embark on a similar journey? The simple phrase “do it” perfectly sums up their response, as opportunities this good do not come around often.
By Amy Wright
