BLOG – Etana

Day 1 – Monday 18 May 2026

I arrived at Half Moon theatre, on Monday the 18 of May at 2:30pm. Before my visit I was given a brief insight into how my week would be laid out and a timetabled structured week with advice on what to wear, times of which I should arrive etc., which is perfect for me because I love structure! From the moment I arrived I was instantly greeted with a warm, comforting welcome and felt I was in a safe environment. Naturally, I am a very anxious person and can become very shy and nervous when it comes to working in a new atmosphere, so I am glad even though I was nervous I was treated with such comfort and was given a lot of communication about the new environment I was working in.

Firstly, I was shown around by Lydia who brought me around the creating places in the Half Moon, such as the theatre, the green room, the red room, the office and finally the design room.  After the tour, I was told a bit about the Half Moon and what brought them to the place they are now and how they have created a safe place for all young people to explore theatre. I loved finding out about how inclusive they are and all the activities they come up with so regularly to bring a lot of fun to the theatre. Next, I was brought into the office and started cutting up paper for the board outside and spent my time until my break at 5:00pm redesigning the notice board with pictures from the Jack Petchey award, I found this very entertaining because I love designing my own wall at home all of the time so it felt familiar.

Furthermore, after my break which ended at 6:00pm, I was introduced to the team of Solar which work with young adults ages 14-25 helping them to create theatre and design their own scripts and performances suited to them. I found this very interesting since Solar is specialist group which support young people who want to explore the creative arts. During the session with them, we first had a quick brief to explain what was expected in the session coming up before inviting everyone into the theatre to start the group. During the session, we all introduced ourselves by saying our name and expressing an action to go alongside that, which I am very familiar with while growing up doing acting. Moreover, we then went into groups, and they were given a task to create a short scene about a murder mystery, which was later performed to the group. Finally, after the session, the team of Solar invited me to a quick evaluation of the work from the group today before heading home around 9:00pm. Ending my excellent first day at Half Moon theatre!

Day 2 – Tuesday 19 May 2026

On day two of my work experience, I arrived at the Half Moon at 12:00pm, I was introduced to Emily and Bradley. Emily immediately gave me my first job of the day to cut up paper for a new exiting idea for the children to express their feelings on a leaf and express it on a tree planted in the entrance of the theatre. Next, I took a short break from that as I made teas and coffees for some of the members who work at the Half Moon. Once I had completed my cutting, I was given the task of writing up my first blog from the previous day until my break at 2:00pm.

I arrived back at my desk at 3:00pm, to instantly start work on setting up the tree and helping to put together it in the entrance. Next, I was asked to help downstairs in the basement by moving props and clothes around so the space can be used later for the Eclipse group to come and do their theatre work in the space.

Moreover, after everyone had arrive at around 3:30pm to start at 3:45pm the big group of 8–11-year-olds were split up into 4 group each with 3 sections of activities to complete. Furthermore, their task was to create a short film for their performance of ghost stories. One group was instructed to gather a costume together for their ghost, another was to create a short spooky film of their ghost lurking around the basement corridors, scarily creeping through the basement. Finally, the last group was upstairs creating posters to ‘throw their parents and carers off the scent’, this meant that each child made a new poster to make sure when their parents and carers arrive for the show they are completely confused on what it’s about! After this very successful workshop we had a quick brief about the groups progress and if there are any improvements that could be made before I wrapped up my day at 6:00pm.

Day 3 – Wednesday 20 May 2026

On day three of my Half Moon theatre experience, I arrived a bit early at 11:50am and immediately start work on my blog from the previous Tuesday. After a while, I was asked to help out with research for a potential upcoming idea for creating a soft play area downstairs, However, before that idea can come to life there needs to be a lot of research put into places in the area for things such as pricing and what others offer to make sure they can create a creative place to play with a safe environment that is suitable.

Next, I was invited to watch the dress rehearsals for the upcoming show of Boxed In, for aged range or 3–6-year-olds. This is a physical theatre show that you can tell a lot of thought and work has been put in. It’s incredibly light-hearted and excellent watch! The show is about 45 minutes and is perfect for younger children to enjoy a funny show which keeps them entertained! After the show, I took my break between 2:00-3:00pm, which I spent relaxing in the green room before heading back for Equinox.

Moreover, before the Equinox group arrived at 4pm, the group had a quick discussion on the layout of the lesson and the plans of games and set tasks for the children, between 8-11 years old, today. The children expectedly arrived at 4pm, we played some games which helped me introduce the children to myself, and then they split up into groups of twos to discuss their characters. This was super helpful for me because it meant got to interact with the kids and get to know both them and their character’s. Finally, the group was slip up into two halves to create a scary monster using carboard and fabric which they loved getting involved in and was great for me to help them out with that too! At around 5:45pm, the lesson finished and we began to evaluate the work that had been created today, behaviour and what worked well in the session. I find these sessions super helpful to understand a way I can build upon my knowledge and how to expand young creative minds while keeping a calm, relaxed environment for everyone to learn. To end my day at 6:00pm I said goodbye to everyone and headed on my way home ready for what to come for the next day.

Day 4 – Thursday 21 May 2026

I arrive at my desk a little earlier today for 10:00am, this is because there is a show being performed at 10:30am today and I am needed to help instruct everyone into the theatre as there are a lot of school kids coming to watch. For the half an hour leading up to the performance I work on my blog for yesterday and today until I am needed in the theatre. I helped gather the children into the theatre and decided to watch the show again, this was a great performance, and I loved seeing the kids’ reactions to the show, which they laughed a lot at!

After the show, I helped clean and tidy the theatre and move this back into place for the next show later in the day before returning to the office to help staple together a lot of stacks of paperwork for Ron to hand out to the year 6’s for the Next Steps transition programme, supporting year 6’s move into secondary school. While I waited for a teacher from BRIT to come and visit me, I worked on completing a form about my experience at the Half Moon theatre so far and continued writing up my blog. Once the staff member arrived at the office, we had a quick chat about how I was getting on and jobs I had been helping with. At around1:00pm I took my lunch break and travelled a bit to Canary Wharf to grab a drink and walk around a bit.

Once I arrived back to the office at 2:00pm, I instantly started research of some ideas for team building exercises, this was super fun to do because I could add some of my own ideas as well. Next, I was asked to do some research around recording studios in the area as a potential idea to start a creative space for people to do some music and explore different possibilities. Before I knew it, it was 4:00pm and was time for me to leave! I had a great day and can’t wait for my final day tomorrow!

Day 5 – Friday 22 May 2026

At 12:15pm, I took my lunch and went back for a walk around Canary Wharf, before heading back for 1:15pm to my desk. Finally, I started stapling the stacks of paper for the children again and there was a lot to staple and print! Once I finished that at around 2:30pm, I put my work and research for everyone on their desks. It’s been a great few days here and I am so grateful for everyone at Half Moon for letting me share their space and inviting me to work here. It’s been a brilliant experience and one I won’t forget!