BLOG – Eve

Day 1 – 2 June 2025

Now before I start the story of my morning. I must tell you something…I had no idea what time I was meant to start (long story), so I had looked up, their opening time: 10.00. And as someone who has a horrible habit of being (fashionably) late to everything, I decided to get there at 8.50 (my thought being someone would be there for 9.00), and was quickly greeted by Malachi, who arrived shortly after me (and my brother) and then informed me I actually start at 2.30, so I made my way back home, had some lunch and came back again! (I found this helpful as I knew where I was going when I came back). I then met the lovely Lydia who showed me the office and introduced me to the wonderful team, and we took a tour! I loved seeing all the prop and lighting rooms and the beautiful garden (on my few trips to the theatre before this, I had never seen before!)

Back at the office I was given my lanyard (in case I forgot my name) and Lydia took me through to what my week would be like, I filled out a form and read a welcome pack which made me feel like one of the team as I knew all the secret codes and rules of the building!

I read blogs from other work experience students to get ideas for mine but before I got started I had a chat to Stephen about possibly doing some social media for the Half Moon, so I wrote some ideas I had down and on another post it note and I wrote down what to write for my blog as I have a memory like a sieve. As you can see, I then started writing my blog. And I helped Lydia bring up props in the theatre for Solar Youth Theatre and switch on some electronic lighting thingies in the theatre before I went on my break where I spent a very relaxing hour in the garden, eating chocolate and drawing on the chalk board!

After lunch, I went to a briefing before Solar which was hilarious and made me excited for the class. I absolutely loved Solar! Everyone was so friendly and had really good ideas. Unfortunately, the bus was late, so we didn’t get much time in the class, but I loved everyone and the positive atmosphere in the theatre. We went on a break, and I thought that we might struggle gaining everyone’s focus after a rest but after a quick ‘mindfulness’ session before we went in, everyone was raring to go! I think it’s so good for children and young adults to have this opportunity in a time of social media having a hook-on young people, it’s amazing to know that young people in Tower Hamlets have this opportunity. I then went home, excited for my next day!

Day 2 – 3 June 2025

After a quick walk/strut from Limehouse, I arrived at the theatre (10 MINUTES EARLY) where Androulla kindly talked me through what the Half Moon does (in schools and locally) which pleasantly surprised me as I didn’t know how much Half Moon does in schools! I then finished Monday’s blog and filmed a quick introduction of myself for The Half Moon’s Instagram, which was exciting! After, I helped with some printing and sorting papers out (which I really enjoyed as it was quite calming!). After my lunch, (sandwich, crisps and chocolate pretzels – I know you wanted to know), I carried on with the printing and did some stapling! Then I went to another team meeting before Eclipse! After a calming start (courtesy of Ron) … it got a bit loud…don’t get me wrong; I think chaos can be a great thing, however sometimes it was a tiny bit chatty which cut into their rehearsal time. The (lovely) team could maybe try mindfulness or calming exercises after the break as well as the start and see if that helps gain focus. Despite this, everyone did great work, had amazing ideas and their show looked great! Then after buying some cheeky chocolates from the shop, I made my way home!

Day 3 – 4 June 2025

Halfway through my week, I had got into the rhythm of things and felt great walking up the creaky stairs to the office (10 MINUTES EARLY). I started my blog and checked in with Androulla. Poor Emily got stuck in the lift (my worst nightmare – she’s okay) and after helping her try fix it (when I say I was helping, I just pressed the button, she did all the work) I then helped with more printing and labelling for Malachi and worked on my blog! I then asked if Lydia if she needed any jobs doing, so I helped to tally up feedback from parents from the creative play groups and suddenly it was time for my lunch! After my lunch in the garden, I worked on my blog for a bit and then went to the meeting for Equinox and I loved the class! We played a game at the start and all the children were lovely and imaginative. After their break in the garden, Ron lead a mindfulness circle which created a perfect atmosphere for the lesson. So, keep doing that as I could see, it really helped the children (and the teachers)! The teachers dealt really well with chattiness and it’s clear that the children have a lot of respect for them all! I was sad to leave but alas my time had come, and I rushed to my dance class in the rain…in my jeans…and Half Moon lanyard.

Day  4 – 5 June 2025

After a wet sludge from Limehouse Station, I made my way into the office (5 MINUTES EARLY) and met Lou! I finished yesterday’s blog. Lydia taught me how to create charts and graphs on Excel, so I input all the parent feedback while listening to the radio, which I have loved all week, I am really happy I got to do this because I know it’s an important skill in life. I was then kindly involved in the (small) team meeting which I really enjoyed as I heard all the exciting things Half Moon will be getting up to. I then went for my lunch in the relaxing Green Room. I came back and after completing all the feedback graphs, I went to film some videos for Half Moon’s social media which I loved but I’m nervous to see if Stephen likes it (I wanted to do an A-Z of the Half Moon but it prove quite tricky) and I did this until my teacher came from my school to ask Lydia and I some questions (and I presume make sure I was there). I was sad to leave; I had great day today and unfortunately tomorrow was my last day…

Day  5 – 6 June 2025

My final day had now crept up on me, (10 MINUTES EARLY) I was sad to press the buzzer one last time (as a work experience student – I will of course, be back).