Lillie-Rose McCormick is a final year student at University Centre Leeds studying Production Arts (technical theatre and stage management). She is working with Red Ladder as assistant stage manager on its show A Proper Merry Christmess and Wrongsemble’s A Town Called Christmas

How did you end up working with Red Ladder and can you tell us a bit about your role?

As part of my course we need to do industry placements and one of my teachers said there was a place available at Red Ladder so I went and had a chat with them. I hadn’t really done much stage management work before so I was keen to find out more and luckily they agreed to take me on.

It’s been really interesting and made me think on my feet in a way that maybe I haven’t had to do before. The other day I was asked to buy some props for the show which might not seem like a big thing, but it was nice to be trusted to do this.

One thing I hadn’t realised beforehand was just how much stage managers actually do! They help with the sets and props, and they oversee the entire show from a logistics point of view, which you don’t appreciate until you’re doing it yourself.

Where does your interest in theatre come from?

I grew up in Norwich and my nan used to take me and my brother to the theatre every Christmas to see the panto, and I just loved it. There was something magical about it that totally fascinated me. I also did quite a bit of dancing when I was younger and I was lucky enough to be taken to watch the ballet.

Originally, I wanted to do acting at GCSE but unfortunately covid hit and my anxiety levels really went up. When I went back I got lower grades than I was hoping which made me rethink whether I should do drama at A Level. So me and my dad looked at the different options because I still wanted to do something linked to theatre, but I wasn’t sure I had the confidence to be on the stage. We thought that production arts might be better for me because I’d still be in the industry. I would just be backstage rather than on it.

What have you learned about how a show like this is put together?

It’s amazing how quickly everything happens. You start off with a rehearsal room and a script and in a few weeks the actors know all their lines, you have a set and everyone knows what they’re doing. I’ve also learned about the importance of lighting and sound and how they can make a big difference to the look and feel of a show.

L-R Lillie-Rose with Stage Manager, Eija Gibson in rehearsals for the Christmas tour

What’s it been like being part of the Red Ladder team?

It’s been incredible working in a professional environment and seeing how everyone works together. Learning on the job like this is so important because you pick up new skills and you think about things in a different way.

Why is it important that young people get opportunities in theatre?

Young people need opportunities within theatre because it feels like the younger generations are constantly talked down to and told they don’t have enough life experience. It’s quite difficult to get a job anywhere at the moment as a young person. So a job like this, as well as giving you experience, can help you make connections. Hopefully if you do well and make a good impression it means you might get another opportunity in the future.

I think there’s a general feeling, especially after covid, that young people can’t do things. But actually we can do the same things as everyone else, we just need the opportunity to show it. You might think that because you’re younger you’ll get hired because you’re cheaper to employ, but that’s not how it seems to work. I’ve heard stories where people have been turned down for jobs simply because they aren’t in work, which just seems crazy to me. So it’s incredibly important for young people to be given a chance.

Does theatre still matter in today’s entertainment world with all the streaming channels and social media platforms?

Yes, because it’s inspirational. You can make a play about anything. It can be a happy subject or a serious one, and to be able to turn that into a story that connects with an audience is just amazing.

You have authentic reactions to what you’re portraying, and you don’t have the canned laughter you get on some TV shows. If you’ve written a play, or directed a show, you get to see the audience’s reaction and whether they like it or not. With TV you only get to see the viewing figures, you don’t get to see how many people enjoyed it. But in theatre you do – you get to see people’s faces.

Both images taken during rehearsals for A Town Called Christmas and A Proper Merry Christmess by Lian Furness