Sound Technician
Charlotte is an apprentice sound technician at the Royal Shakespeare Company
My job is all about helping to bring live shows to life with sound. That might mean setting up microphones for a live band, playing pre-recorded sound effects at just the right moment during a play, or working with composers and sound designers to make sure the sound matches the vision of the show. Everything I do helps the audience enjoy the performance, whether that’s making sure they can hear every word or adding the sound effects that make a scene feel real and bring performances to life.
It’s a really fun job. Yes, there are technical parts and long hours, but in the end, we’re doing it to make people happy. Seeing people enjoy a show, especially young people or families who’ve never seen Shakespeare before, that’s the best bit. Even when it’s tough, I remind myself that for someone in the audience, this could be their dream night out. I get to help make that happen every day.
When I started, the most important thing was being willing to learn. You don’t need to know loads of technical stuff straight away. Communication and teamwork are really important too. As I’ve learned more, I’ve picked up how to use software like QLab and how to work a sound desk. Knowing a bit about music, like how to count beats in a bar, is useful too, especially when cues (that’s when a sound needs to play) need to happen in time with the music.
At the RSC, our sound team has about 15 people, which is quite big! Some of them have been here for over 20 years and know loads, so I can always ask them for help. Others are new like me, so we’re learning together. It’s nice to be part of a group where everyone has different skills. We all help each other and make the shows happen as a team.
Operating a show on my own in nearly every venue at the Royal Shakespeare Company has been amazing. When you’re the one pressing the buttons to make all the sounds happen at just the right time, it’s equal parts scary and exciting. You need full concentration, but it’s such a buzz.
People don’t always realise that theatre can be a real career. At school, everyone expected me to go to university and do something academic. I could have, but I followed what I love instead. Now, I’ve got a proper qualification and real work experience. I’ve learned that this path is just as valid as going to university, even if it’s less traditional.
My apprenticeship has just finished, so I’m looking for my next job. It might be in panto, maybe on a cruise ship, I’ll go where the work is! I’m hoping to keep building up my experience and keep working in theatre.
If you love theatre, go for it. It can be a real job, not just a hobby. You don’t have to follow the usual path of university if that’s not right for you. There are lots of ways to get into this career, and you don’t have to know everything to start.
Discover what qualifications you’ll need, how much you can earn, and what the next steps are.
