Alumnus profile: Veronica Humphris, Tricycle Theatre

I trained at King’s between 2002 – 2005. My degree was in English Literature and Language, and I graduated with 1st class honours in 2005. I was also awarded the Associateship of King’s College. Apart from my official degree, I spent a lot of my time as a student participating in various King’s Student Societies including the King’s Players, the Kings College Musical Theatre Society and the Film-makers Society.

I managed to secure a 6-month internship at Hampstead Theatre in the Development department. This was unpaid (expenses only) and I had to budget very carefully so that I could afford to do it. However, it was absolutely invaluable experience and I couldn’t have got my first job in theatre without doing it as I learnt so much about how the theatre industry works.

I also co-founded a theatre company called Ten In A Bed Theatre with some of my colleagues from the King’s Players. We have produced shows at fringe theatres across London, and also taken productions to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Now, I work as Development and Marketing Officer at the Tricycle Theatre in Kilburn. I spend 3 days a week in the Development Department, which involves fundraising in various different ways. These include: writing applications to grant-making trusts and foundations, organising fundraising events and looking after our current individual and corporate members. I spend the remaining 2 days working for the Marketing Department, which involves communicating with our audience through various different media, designing flyers and advertisements, distributing print, and identifying target groups and new audiences for the productions we present. My current responsibility is to develop the theatre’s digital strategy through our website and online social media.

The great thing about this job is that I’m working across two departments, so I’m constantly busy with new things. I have always loved the performing arts and I am very fortunate that I am able to work in this industry. It means I see a lot of new theatre, and am creatively challenged to come up with new ways to promote new productions, and get financial support for them. It also means that I work with lots of new people all the time, as different actors, directors, writers and companies come into the building with each production.

The fantastic thing about the King’s English degree is that it is very flexible to your interests. I was able to choose courses that allowed me to explore the performing arts thoroughly – from the Experimental Theatre course run by John Stokes, who introduced me to Complicite and (my now favourite playwright) Howard Barker, through to a great grounding in the classics: such as Shakespeare and Jonson.

It also opened my eyes to Critical Theory – which is so important to be able to analyse theatrical texts and productions, and to be able to articulate your opinions.

In my current job, you have to be able to argue your case and either persuade an audience that a show is worth paying money to attend, or persuade a benefactor that the theatre is worth supporting. The intellectual rigour of an English degree is perfect for that.

If you can afford to do some work experience in a theatre, this is a fantastic way to set yourself apart from other candidates. It will help you to learn how the administration of a theatre works, and many theatres now offer internships to those who are interested in pursuing a career in theatre. If you can’t afford to do unpaid work, try and get experience as a box office assistant, or usher in a theatre, as being in a theatre building is the best way to find out about the different career paths and where the opportunities are.

Also, if you want a career in theatre, it is very important to see as much theatre as you can. At the moment, many London theatres are participating in the “A Night Less Ordinary” Scheme, which allows under 26 year olds to see theatre for free – which I would urge students to take advantage of.

If you are a young creative, I would recommend joining the Ideas Tap website, one of the many online resources available to young people in our industry. It is a great way to network with your peers and also has many creative opportunities to take advantage of. By registering on this site, I recently won a place on the TS Eliot US/UK exchange, which allowed me to develop theatre contacts on a fully funded trip to New York, through the Old Vic Theatre.

Lastly, don’t be afraid to ask! If you need advice on your career or a theatre project, find out about who would be the best person to ask for a professional opinion, and try and set up a brief meeting over coffee / breakfast / a drink to discuss. They might be too busy to help you, but if you can get that meeting, it may prove to be extremely useful. I am happy to be contacted if you think I might be able to help. Email me at mail@veronicahumphris.com