Zoe Hedge

Final Year BA (Hons) Applied Performance (Community and Education) student Zoe Hedge took part in a six week work placement at Imaginate, based in Edinburgh, and answered a few questions for us about the practicalities and benefits of her time on placement.

Where did you complete your work placement?

I completed my 6 week work placement at Imaginate in Edinburgh. Imaginate is a theatre organisation committed to creating, producing and delivering work for children and young people. They organise an annual international children's theatre festival in May/June every year, as well as a creative learning programme throughout the rest of the year. I was lucky enough to be with them in the lead up to the Imaginate Festival 2016 and experienced the incredible creative madness that was the week of the festival!

How did you secure your placement?

I got the placement by emailing the head of creative learning direct. I did have a link through someone I knew in Edinburgh, but you can access most email addresses through company websites to directly email relevant members of staff. After a few emails and phone calls back and forth, making sure this was something I wanted to do, I secured the placement.

What kind of things did you get involved with on your placement?

I was involved in a range of different things with each department. They included; liaising with artists, festival administration, sorting out DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service) checks for artists and facilitators, assisting the marketing department, assisting the creative learning manager, going to festival meetings and meeting with artists and companies. My main role was being an associate artist on a schools project for 3 weeks that lead up to the festival. I was the main organiser of this project and also had hands on experience of being a facilitator on it.

Do you now have a better idea of what you’d like to do after your degree?

Not exactly. I think in the arts it's very hard to know exactly what you want to do as it's such a broad range of creativity. It gave me experiences of various things that helped me rule out certain areas and enjoy other areas that I'd not considered before. It was a very useful experience.

What is the best piece of advice you took from your placement?

I'd say choose something that you've not had much experience in before, challenge yourself, and explore a field that you haven't considered before. It's great to have varied practise on your CV.

Did you make any good industry links that could help you with your career?

I have made very good links in the Scottish applied theatre and theatre for young audiences sector. If I decide to move up to Scotland I feel I would have no trouble finding work!