Royal Opera House Apprenticeship in Thurrock

As part of the Royal Opera House’s innovative scheme to provide apprenticeships across its backstage departments, two apprenticeships are now on offer in Thurrock at High House Production Park.

High House Production Park in Purfleet is home to the Royal Opera House Bob and Tamar Manoukian Production Workshop, where all the sets and scenery for the stages in Covent Garden are made, and Royal Opera House Costume Centre, where costumes for ballet and opera productions are crafted. 

At any one time, there can be four or five apprentices working at the site, learning from the highly skilled scenic artists, carpenters and metalworkers. There are now opportunities for a full time Scenic Carpentry Apprentice on a fixed-term contract for 2 years (September 2019 – August 2021) and Scenic Metalwork Apprentice, fixed-term contract for 3 years (September 2019 – August 2022) 

There are a variety of other apprenticeships on offer at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden including in technical theatre and Flys. 

Jack Eaton was a Technical Theatre apprentice in 2017 and said of the experience: 

‘I’ve had the chance to work with some of the best in the business, on some of the newest and biggest shows and some of the oldest and most prestigious. I’ve made some great friends and the Royal Opera House while teaching me a lot as a technician, has also taught me many things about myself and opened so many opportunities that I’m left with some confusion over where I want to go next! (that’s a good thing). I really feel that these two years have been the best and I think the Opera House is the perfect example of how apprenticeships can be as good as, and even better than, going to university.’

All Royal Opera House apprenticeships begin in September and applicants must be 18 years or older on 3 September to be eligible.  

Full job descriptions, details on how to apply and online application forms are available at www.roh.org.uk/apprenticeships. 

Closing date for applications: 8.00am, Monday 3rd June 2019.

IMAGE: Sim Canetty-Clarke