With unpaid internships becoming endemic, new company Gobo Theatre is bucking not only a national trend but accepted convention in the theatre industry, particularly the fringe, where profit share is generally just a euphemism for no money.
Addressing the double perplexity of the work/experience Catch 22 (needing experience to get a job, but needing a job to get experience) and the assumption that young people straight out of training who want a career in the theatre will work for free or under the minimum wage, Gobo's model pays 18- to 25-year-olds in their first job.
Supporting young people during their first work experience is a programme of career guidance, mentoring and practical training.
The company took the name Gobo, literally ‘go-between’ abbreviated and the name of the template used in theatre lighting to shape emitted light, because its vision is to be a link between education and career. For five young people that vision is a reality as, following two years of effort and fundraising, Gobo now has its first show on tour, Alice by Laura Wade.
Involving local communities and offering workshops, Alice tours halls and arts centres across Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Buckinghamshire until 23 February.
For more information and to book go to www.gobotheatre.co.uk/alice, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/gobotheatre or follow on Twitter @GoboTheatre.
To support or audition for Gobo, contact can be made by e-mail at [email protected].