generally having an unbroken run of between three and six weeks11.
The mission of the Rep is:
To develop, produce and present a range of theatrical experience of international quality that will
entertain, enlighten and engage with the maximum number of people of all ages and communities from
Birmingham and the surrounding region (Stuart Rogers, Executive Director, interview, May 2005).
It has adopted this strategy:
To fill in the gap in the market in Birmingham and the West Midlands in terms of theatres. Birmingham
hasn’t traditionally seen a wide range of contemporary plays (Stuart Rogers, interview, May 2005).
In pursuing its mission, one of the obstacles Birmingham Rep in common with other
repertory theatres, has faced had been ‘a shortage of technical staff’ (Stuart Rogers, interview,
May 2005). Aware of skill shortages in theatre, broadcast media and outside events,
Birmingham City Council’s Economic and Development Department invited the Birmingham
Repertory Theatre to participate in The Last Mile (TLM) Partnership. One of the attractions of
TLM, for the Rep, was that it was funded through the EU EQUAL Programme. This gave the
Rep access to European Social Funding (ESF) and therefore the freedom to design a bespoke
two-year apprenticeship which reflected its interests and values rather than having to work
within the strictures of UK apprenticeship frameworks12. The Rep felt that the former was not
suitable:
because it was more bounded by the rules of the education sector then by the rules of the industry... its
inflexible time frame would not allow apprentices full immersion in theatre life (Stuart Rogers, interview,
August 2006).
The aim of the TA13 is to create a modern culturally diverse and inclusive traditional craft
apprenticeship which reflects the realities of the new work context in which it operates. To
realize its vision, the Rep appointed a Project Coordinator, John Pitt who had worked as
Production Manager previously in the Rep as well as having extensive knowledge and
11 The gradual institutionalization of such companies in towns and cities in the UK throughout the last century
resulted in the emergence of a national system of repertory theatres There are approximately 40 producing
theatres across the UK, of which Birmingham Rep is one of the largest (Rep Homepage).
12 The Rep decided to design its own apprenticeship on the cusp of the publication of the Blueprint for the AAP.
It criticism of the then framework for the Modern Apprenticeship still apply to the AAP.
13 Six occupational areas covered by the TA were: Wardrobe, Wigs and make-up, Lighting and electrics,
Sound, Stage technician and Stage management. The apprentices appointed to the scheme had a mix of Level 2
and 3 qualifications.