Theatre Operations Internship with Nederlander Theatres

Stepping into a West End theatre internship felt like unlocking a new level in my arts administration career. Over the past three months, I’ve gained a front-row seat, and sometimes a backstage pass, to the inner workings of two iconic venues: the Dominion and the Aldwych Theatre home to The Devil Wears Prada and Tina - the Tina Turner musical, respectively, or Prada and Tina as the cool industry people call it. This blog is a reflection on the experience, the skills I’ve developed, and the incredible moments that confirmed my passion for a future in the performing arts industry.

What skills have you developed or improved during your theatre internship?

This theatre internship has been instrumental in boosting my confidence and preparing me to enter the performing arts workforce. Working in Front of House and Box Office sharpened my customer service and communication skills in a fast-paced West End environment. With Property Services, I strengthened my understanding of venue safety protocols and facilities management. Through the Stage Door team, I learned the importance of access control and communication coordination in a busy West End venue. Collaborating with Marketing enhanced my awareness of audience engagement strategies and campaign planning, while supporting the Events team helped build my skills in event coordination and room hire logistics. Working with Operations gave me practical experience in day-to-day venue management, and backstage involvement improved my technical awareness and teamwork under pressure. I also gained foundational knowledge of financial processes and governance through exposure to the Finance department. This exposure to a wide range of departments has provided me with a well-rounded set of skills that I hope to apply to my future career.

How do you feel the job has helped your career development?

This internship has truly shaped my career development and has built on my previous experience working on student, amateur, and regional theatre productions, but placed it in the context of commercial theatre in the heart of London's West End. I gained a practical understanding of how large-scale productions are run from the building’s perspective and I am curious to learn more about it from a producer’s point of view. I’ve also had the opportunity to build meaningful connections with colleagues across all levels of the organisation, and I look forward to staying in touch as I continue my journey in the industry.

What has been your favourite project you’ve worked on?

It’s hard to choose just one, but working backstage on productions at both the Dominion Theatre and Aldwych Theatre stands out. Watching the fly system at Tina – The Tina Turner Musical from substage and seeing the set pieces for The Devil Wears Prada glide at a glacial pace was an unforgettable experience. These moments have helped develop my understanding of how technical teams operate on the West End. Contrastingly, I also really enjoyed working in the Box Office, where I developed strong problem-solving and communication skills by assisting customers, managing ticketing systems, and helping ensure a smooth experience.

What was the most rewarding aspect of the internship?

Every day brought something rewarding, from welcoming guests in the foyer to sitting in on strategy meetings with senior leadership. Being trusted to contribute to daily operations, and occasionally lead small tasks, made me feel valued. It confirmed my passion for working in live performance environments and further solidified my goal of building a career in theatre production or arts administration.

What has been the most surprising thing you’ve learned during your internship?

Working with the Property Services team was full of surprises, learning about the building’s history, understanding the various safety checks, and yes, discovering what legionella is! Exploring hidden spaces like the archives, the area above the chandeliers, and the rooftop at the Dominion Theatre was like walking through a living museum of theatrical history. It broadened my appreciation of what it takes to maintain both the beauty and safety of historic West End venues.

Did the internship meet your expectations?

Most certainly! Going into this internship I expected to gain an overview of theatre operations, but I hadn’t imagined how varied and dynamic the experience would be. No two days or weeks were the same so I was constantly learning and receiving a well-rounded understanding of what it takes to run a West End theatre.

Final Thoughts

If you're considering applying for a theatre internship in a West End venue, I would say with 100% certainty: go for it! You'll gain more than just work experience; you’ll develop practical skills, build connections, discover parts of the industry you never knew existed and meet some fantastic people along the way. This internship has been an invaluable chapter in my career and has helped set me up for developing a career in theatre production. I’m incredibly grateful to the entire team at Nederlander for making me feel at home for the last three months and to Masterclass for facilitating this opportunity.

Interview with Nicole Kilama, May 2025