A Friend of a Friend is pleased to welcome two interns to the team for our 2014 season. They will be working on the productions that we have lined up for the year and gaining experience in all aspects of Production. We caught up with Jess to find out a bit more about her.

Hi Jess, welcome to the team. How did you start your career?

Just turning 19, I am at the beginning of my career. I have kicked started it by studying a course in the arts, which I am in my first year of. My first experience with working in a professional arts company is with The Stag Community Arts Centre, where I am near to completing a placement with them. There I have actively participated in roles such as Front of House, and have worked closely with the Marketing Manager of the company. I am now looking forward to working with A Friend of a Friend and their current exciting project which will help me develop and learn new fundamental skills needed for my career path.

What is your inspiration?
In terms of being inspired by a particular person, there is no one in particular that comes to mind. However, I do admire different people who work in the arts in the various different roles for achieving the position they are in; I am inspired by anyone who plays a part in the arts because one day I want to be 100% involved in the community, and give back something to the arts, as it has given so much to me.

What is your dream job?
Currently, my dream is to work in a West End theatre production doing anything or everything. I have yet to decide the exact role I want to pursue, but I know I am interested in, and want to work within the performing arts industry. I know that through studying on my course, and gaining experience on placements with different companies, I will establish exactly what it is that I want to do.
At this current time I will just concentrate and enjoy working with A Friend of a Friend.

Any juicy anecdotes?
This particular story comes from a visit to the Palace Theatre.

It began with failing to get cheap tickets to see Matilda; we still wanted to see a show that same evening, any show, just as long as it was cheap! We decided on the musical, The Commitments, where we found tickets for a very reasonable £10. Arriving at the box office ten minutes before the show was about to begin, my friend went to collect our tickets. Thinking we would be sitting right at the top at the back, she instead told us with a grin on her face that the box office couldn’t find us on the system, so they gave us the best available seats. This was in stalls, no restrictions and worth £100, we just paid a tenner! This was one in a life time luck I kept telling myself, so I ensured I enjoyed every second of it!
Another story, when I used to dance, I played the part of the Woman in Black. All dressed in black with dark make-up, we performed in the annual show. A few weeks after the show I was told that someone had complained because I made a little boy in the audience have nightmares for a week because of ‘the scary witch lady.’ Instead of feeling guilty, I felt proud because I met the characteristics of the woman in black. But, sorry again for scaring the little boy!

We’ll hear more from Jess soon as she shares her experience in SE1 as part of #whatsyourstory