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Adam studied LLB Law at the University of Leeds and graduated in 2016.
“It is very satisfying to engage with the audience members as they are entering the auditorium but also as they are exiting, as you get a real flavour of how much they enjoyed the show that you and your friends have worked hard on!”
Working Front of House (FOH) with Backstage is a really rewarding role, as not only do you get the chance to be a part of putting the show together by helping the rest of the crew during the ‘load-in’ period, you also get to interact with all the audience members throughout the week! It is also a great role for if you don’t want to get too heavily involved in a particular show, as there is very little to do until the load in period begins. Plus, if the size of the FOH team is big enough, you are often not required to be at every show night, unlike some other roles on the crew. You’re also in the perfect position to watch the show! It is very satisfying to engage with the audience members as they are entering the auditorium but also as they are exiting, as you get a real flavour of how much they enjoyed the show that you and your friends have worked hard on!
“The best part of the role is the number of great people you get to work with, and these great people are the reason why I kept returning to Backstage show after show after show.”
Taking the step up and becoming a House Manager is, in my eyes, one of the most underrated opportunities available with Backstage. No two show nights are the same, with different numbers of potential VIP seats to prepare, any specific audience requirements, and liaising the best way to sell tickets on the door and manage the queues of audience members. With control of the auditorium until the show is ready to begin, the variety of people a House Manager comes into contact with gives them the chance to make a really positive impact on the show every night. This includes conversations with everyone from your Production Manager to audience members with many more in between, including members of the performance society, the LUU Security team, staff at Terrace and Old Bar and your own Front of House crew. The best part of the role is the number of great people you get to work with, and these great people are the reason why I kept returning to Backstage show after show after show. By the time you do a handful of shows you get to know a hell of a lot of people, and if, like me, you stick around and do over 20 across a number of roles, then you start to really enjoy what you’re doing, and get really confident in your abilities at the same time. Specifically as a House Manager / FOH team member, when you see the smiles on the audience members faces as they leave the auditorium and then the smiles on the cast and crew’s faces when at one of the legendary post-show socials straight afterwards, it’s really easy to see why getting involved is so addictive!
Adam tried out many different crew, designer, and manager roles in all backstage departments, and he also acted as Secretary on committee during his long-time membership with Backstage.
By Adam Morris
Posted on 14th September 2016