Kay Captures RSC Costume Apprenticeship

Congratulations to Kay (College II) who has accepted an offer from the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC) for their Costume and Accessory Maker apprenticeship in Stratford Upon Avon from September.

Kay, a Performing Arts Scholar, who has been very active in The Mount’s Drama department since she joined in College I, has always wanted to work in the theatre and is currently completing her A-Level examinations. Kay applied for the apprenticeship via the RSC’s website. When she first checked online, she noticed that an apprenticeship in Scene Design had already been filled a few weeks earlier. She kept checking the website regularly and applied for the Costume and Accessory Maker apprentice position when it was advertised. Hundreds of applicants also went for the job and Kay was one of six candidates invited for interview for the sole place on offer.

“I would never have even applied for this apprenticeship if I hadn’t come to The Mount,” Kay shared with Mrs Buckley, Drama teacher and Mrs Perks, Deputy Principal as they congratulated her.

The interviews were divided into two sessions. Kay attended one session with two other candidates. The group was taken into a room and given ninety minutes in which to create an accessory under supervision of an RSC member of staff. Part of the way through, they were individually invited to a separate room for panel interviews. “They’d asked if I wanted to bring my jumper because the interview room was cold. I told them I didn’t really feel the cold after spending three weeks trekking in Iceland. We spent the first ten minutes talking about the expedition!” exclaimed Kay proudly.

Kay joined The Mount for College after completing GCSE at All Saints RC School. She has been studying Classics, Drama (with All Saints) and Textiles for A-Levels. “The interviewers asked me a lot about Classics, because of course Shakespearean tragedy is very Greek in nature.” As part of the interview, Kay had to ask questions of her interviewers; she asked them, “What was your favourite thing that you’ve ever made?”

“Kay has a wonderful personality and kindness which immediately puts people around her at ease,” said Mrs Perks. “Her choice of question to the interviewers is very telling about her genuine interest in connecting with people. I am absolutely thrilled for Kay that she has secured this much-sought-after apprenticeship. I am also not surprised that the RSC chose Kay, because of the person she is.”

Kay thanks her grandmother and parents for encouraging her to ‘go for it’ in applying to the apprenticeship. The Mount’s College prides itself on the support it provides for Sixth Form College girls to accept offers from their first-choice destinations.

The RSC website says, “As well as a theatre, the RSC is a national centre for teaching, training, learning and research about Shakespeare and theatre arts. Our apprentices are equipped for future employment in the theatre industry by learning from experts and being supported by mentors and learning providers.” Kay will learn skills through working alongside theatre professionals, with part of her time time spent learning at a college, university or other training provider specialising in her field.