Summary
More Details
Untold has conceived and developed a new technical training programme offering young offenders the chance to rewrite their story backstage, within theatre and live events. Supported by Guildhall School of Music and Drama, Untold will deliver production workshops in Lighting, Sound, Video and Stage Craft, aimed at providing constructive and supportive training in-prison and employment opportunities on release at HMO Isis, young offenders institute.
Working closely with Second Stage, a charity created to develop partnerships between prison leavers and the live events industry, Untold are recruiting an experienced theatre/live events technician to work part-time at HMP Isis, running and maintaining a theatre space and delivering in-prison courses and liaising with the professional industry, outside of the prison service.
The Technical Manager will need a basic knowledge in lighting, sound, video and stage management to deliver the GSMD entry-level production training courses, preparing the men for employment opportunities upon release. You will have an awareness and ambition to include basic life and social skills into your teaching to benefit the men both during their training, and on release.
You will need a genuine passion and experience of live events and be looking to share that passion with a new potential workforce, made up of people who might have had limited opportunities and experiences in life. Working for Untold, but in close conjunction with the HMPPS and ‘through the gate’ support teams, and in-prison, the Education and Employment depts.
The duties of the Technical Manager will mostly be completed within a 3 day on site role at HMP/YOI Isis, a category C prison housing sentenced young male adults and young offenders under the age of 25. However, the role may necessitate working some evenings as and when events may be staged. Prisoners can request to attend the courses offered and are risk-assessed for their suitability. The delivery of the technical course will be planned, scheduled and executed in close consultation with the GSMD and the prison team, meaning the post-holder will be expected to input and report back on its viability on an ongoing basis.
The TM will also work closely with the ABTT (Association of British Theatre Technicians) and the charity Second Stage to engage with the professional theatre industry on the potential recruitment of the prison-leavers. Supported by existing ‘through the gate’ networks, together with the team at Second Stage, you would support applicants through the application and interview process of recruitment into technical roles backstage in the live events industry.
This is a new and unique opportunity for the right candidate to be instrumental in creating and delivering theatre training to young offenders in prison.
Role and Responsibilities
As this is a new and unique position, the full breakdown of roles and responsibilities is not confirmed, but we envisage it including some if not all, of the below.
For the space:
- Manage the day to day running of the theatre space and equipment at HMP Isis
- Manage and maintain the bookings diary for the space
- Liaise with the prison facilities manager on maintaining the equipment, and with Second Stage on the upgrading and technical requirements of the kit
- To manage a budget for orders/re-stocks of consumable supplies
- Ensure the routine up-keep of the space including compliance with statutory Health and Safety legislation
- To provide a high level of technical education, supervision, advice and assistance to all staff and users of the equipment and theatre space
- To act as Production Manager for any in-prison performances; providing assistance to visiting professional and amateur productions. This may also include assistance with audio visual aids for lectures/talks
- To take responsibility for construction or hire of sets, scenery and supervise all users
- To supervise fit ups and strikes whilst rigging, plotting and focusing lanterns or when anyone is engaged in technical theatre work within the space
- To be responsible for H&S in the theatre reporting to the Facilities Manager and H&S Advisor
- To be the designated First Aider for the theatre
For the course:
- To plan and lead each course for the prisoners, working from the lesson plans provided by GSMD, in co-ordination with staff at Untold and HMP/YOI Isis Prison
- To ensure recognised industry safe working practices are being taught and observed, taking responsibility for the well-being of prisoners and staff during lessons and course activities
- To create a safe, collaborative space for prisoners to learn and explore new skills, both on a practical and ‘soft’ level, fostering an atmosphere of teamwork and collaboration through good communication
- To plan and feedback with participants on additional in-cell learning provided alongside each classroom lesson
- To feedback on prisoner progress and development with Untold and HMP/YOI Isis Prison staff, including raising any concerns or observations with superiors
Reporting/training:
- To report to Untold Creative as Line Management for this role, but with final responsibility lying with the prison governor.
- To attend specific training for working with people with trauma in prisons (provided by Second Stage).
- To attend specific training for recruiting and retaining a workforce with criminal convictions (provided by Offploy, via Second Stage).
Qualifications and Education Requirements
- GCSEs and ideally 16+ further education, possibly higher education, in an aspect of theatre production although this is not essential
- Industry experience essential
- Previous relevant education experience would be beneficial, though not essential
Skills Requirements
- Excellent knowledge of technical theatre and production processes. Some knowledge of set design and construction would be an advantage
- Outstanding communication skills, patience, diplomacy and adaptability. To be a cheerful team player who works with a genuine energy and enthusiasm for the work and who has a good imagination and sense of humour
- Experience of working with marginalised communities would be an advantage
- Ability to create engaging materials for people from a variety of backgrounds
- Ability to manage own time effectively and responsibly essential
Applications to be made in writing and emailed to
Deadline: Thursday 2 April, 2026
Organisation
