Lyric life

Welcome to #12JobsofTheatre.

Over 12 days in December we’ll be telling you about 12 different jobs at the Lyric to give you an insight into the varied and vital jobs that contribute to the work we make.

Each of the wonderful people that are currently in those positions have shared how they got there and we hope it will be helpful to those thinking about pursuing a career in the arts.

Next up is Chrissy Angus, our Head of Administration.

1. In one sentence, can you explain what your job is?

This is the question I always dread! If someone could please answer explain my job to me in one sentence, then I’d love to know… I’m Head of Administration at the Lyric and my role covers lots of different areas so it’s really hard to pin down into a short snappy one liner! In my role I manage key administration functions including policy development, contracting process (issuing and monitoring the return of contracts), human resources (a horrible term for what essentially means looking after people), managing our data, core funder reporting and delivering our sustainability work. With others, I also look after our office, IT and liaise with our Trustees for our quarterly meetings. 

2. What made you want to work in theatre and where did you start?

I took GCSE drama on a total whim because I thought it sounded fun – my parents were quite surprised because up until that point I’d not shown much interest in drama (unless religiously watching soaps from 6.30-9pm counts, which I think it does). But it turned out I really liked it and went on to study Drama and English at University. Even then I didn’t know what jobs there were in theatre and it’s only because I sent my CV off to the Bush Theatre at the right time that I stumbled into it. At the time the Bush (which back then was above the O’Neills pub in Shepherds Bush) were looking for an intern and so I worked as an unpaid, full-time intern for 3 months whilst also working as a Duty Manager and a Box Office Assistant. This was an amazing, if exhausting, insight into the running of a theatre. I then took another internship with the Programming team at the Pleasance Theatre in London, supporting them with their comedy and theatre programme. This led to a role with them at the Edinburgh Fringe running their Arts Industry Desk. It was only after that summer that I got my first permanent paid job in theatre with the Pleasance as Box Office Manager. In this role I was lucky enough to also moved to Edinburgh each summer to run their box office operation which was always the most fun (and busiest job I’ve had!). From that role, I moved to the Gate Theatre in Notting Hill to be their General Manager before taking on my role at the Lyric! Rightly so you don’t get these unpaid internships anymore and the sector has transformed it’s approach since I started out back in 2010. If I was starting again now, it would – thankfully – be a completely different route in. But with each role I was able to have so many brilliant experiences, sharpen my skills and make a load of friends along the way. 

3. What is your top recommendation for someone who wants to be a Head of Administration. 

There isn’t one way into this industry and I wouldn’t get too focussed on how other people get there – you will find your own way. Most work is transferrable to the theatre sector so any experience you can build up is going to be great on a CV. If you want some advice ask people for a cup of tea, get to know theatres by signing up to their mailing lists (lots run ticket deals for young people too) and don’t get too disheartened by the jobs you don’t get because there will be many more opportunities out there. Oh and theatre can be a bit of a bubble so I really think it helps to have a healthy interest in things outside of theatre – it brings a perspective that is so valuable.

4. What is your favourite production at the Lyric that you have worked on and why?

I loved the panto we put on last year – Cinderella directed by Tinuke Craig. It was so perfectly representative of the London I know that it filled me with so much Christmas cheer. Plus there was an unexpected ballad that made me cry which is always a bonus. Also any sharing from a project created by the young people who come into our building is an absolute delight – it’s so nice to work in a theatre where you can pop to see an end of term sharing and remember how creative young people are. There was one in particular last year that was created by young people of primary school age and all I can say is the content was something established performance artists can only hope to achieve.