Parker’s Blog

Day 1 – Monday 22 June 2026

I arrived Half Moon at about 14:15, attempting to make a good first impression by being early. I was greeted by Lydia, who proceeded to introduce me to some members of staff (who were all exceedingly kind and friendly), as well as show me around the theatre. It was interesting to hear about the function of the rooms, as well as the history of the theatre. I saw prop rooms, meeting rooms, technical rooms (my favourite), and my questions were answered satisfyingly. My curiosities were practically all quelled by the end of the tour.

Once I had been given the introduction, I was made aware that my hours would be cut shorter today due to the heat wave; the final event of the day had been cut due to the extreme temperature. After reading through the work experience folder I was given, I was put to work shortly after: a simple task, just editing some certificates to match with the spreadsheet.

With the task completed, I had my break in the Green Room on the 1^st floor, where I drank a previously purchased beverage and poked around a bit out of curiosity – I didn’t eat anything, as I had already eaten lunch before entering. There was a bookshelf in the Green Room, and one of the books about audio mixing caught my eye, so I read it.

Exiting the Green Room, I headed back to the ground floor for my final task of the day, where I was to assist with an After School group. My role at first seemed a bit confusing, especially since I was not aware of the activities the group would be or had been doing previously. However, I assisted wherever I could, and the experience was still enjoyable.

TL: DR, my first day was intriguing, simple, and fun. It was interesting to see how the theatre functioned and my role in it for the next week.

Day 2 – Tuesday 23 June 2026

I arrived at Half Moon a few minutes early – at about 11:45 – as will become commonplace unless told otherwise (I like to take initiative), parked my bike inside the garden (yesterday, I had chained it to the gate near the Nisa because I was unaware of the bike stands), and was given a further explanation of Half Moon itself by Androulla. Afterwards, I was informed about the blogs, and typed up my Day 1 run-through, which took me a while as I kept editing it and going over it as if it was an essay. I fear I have already begun to do the same with this day’s blog as well…

Then, I was to edit some of the certificates I had made yesterday – the last names of the people had been found on registers, so I edited the existing certificates and made new ones too (for recognition, not forum). This is when I discovered that my friend goes to this theatre.

I was then given some forms that children had filled out, and for the three groups each I tallied results and wrote the numbers on a blank form sheet, which I then paired with the group folders. I found this quite fun, as I enjoy data analysis and things like that, even though this was a more rudimentary form of doing so. Despite its simplicity, this took me a while due to the number of forms. I didn’t mind, though.

At 14:20-ish, I went on break into the Green Room and consumed my lunch as well as continuing to read the book from before (with cleaned hands, obviously – I would never stain a book) after learning that I was not breaking any rules by doing so. My break lasted approximately 50 minutes, and afterwards I headed back to the office. I was given some questionnaires that children had responded to, and I was to type them up and order them. I was informed, thankfully, that I was not meant to do all of it the same day, although I probably could have. It was a kind leeway I was allowed.

At 16:10 approximately, I entered the theatre to watch a technical preparation for some upcoming plays that Youth Theatre groups were to perform. It was incredibly insightful, getting to see how the technology worked and the creative process behind using them. Additionally, the plays themselves – both in concept and script – were joyfully humorous. Occasionally I would help with envisioning positions and such, but not often.

I exited at 17:40 and was allowed an early finish, despite my suggestion to finish typing the questionnaires (another kind leeway I was allowed during my time here).

It is so incredibly warm. Today (day 3) is worse… you’ll be hearing about it in the next blog section.

TL: DR today was a lot more technical, which I enjoyed, and it gave me further insight to some of the jobs that are completed in Half Moon.

Day 3 – Wednesday 24 June 2026

Arriving at 11:53 (early as usual), I settled in my office and wrote the day before’ s blog, which took me a lot longer than the Day 1 blog due to the amount I could write. I’m unsure why, but I seem to have a lot more to say about Day 2 than any other day so far, including this blog. Once completed, I typed up the rest of the reports – there was only two, so it didn’t take long.

Waiting for another tech, I made myself busy until it started. Then I entered the theatre, helped out Mark with some video conversion and clipping, then got to watch the tech, which was still very interesting. I didn’t get much opportunity to help out with this tech, but I did what I could. I went on break, nipping out to the local shops to grab a meal, and ate it in the theatre to continue watching the tech and avoid the evil, evil heat.

At some point during the day, after my break, I spoke to Lydia about a possible timetable switch for Day 4. Since I had completed a lot of the computer work, and (I assume) didn’t have as much they could give to me, it was suggested that I adjust my Day 4 to be 12-18 rather than 10-16 to help with Ron’s Next Steps transition session. Ron and I both agreed, so it was decreed that my sleep would be freed. (They call me the Rhymer)

Once break had completed, I waited for Emily to return and helped her with some of the lighting gels. They were all out of order, so I worked on sorting and stacking the numbered ones, while separating the non-numbered ones to be marked at a later date (probably day 4, today). This ended up lasting a while, and I voluntarily ended slightly late at 17:06 to finish up what I had done with them.

TL: DR I had another interesting tech, adjusted my Day 4 timetable, and assisted Emily with lighting.

Day 4 – Thursday 25 June 2026

I showed up at around 11:52, and had my bike parked in the garden by 11:56. Ron greeted me and told me once 12:00 rolled around (my starting time), I could join the meeting in the main area if I liked. I took him up on that offer.

In the meantime, I got distracted by writing my blog and ended up finishing at approximately 12:06, when I joined the meeting. It was interesting to see how the team communicates; everyone seemed very friendly with each other, spoke casually, and talked about more things than just “work work work”. There was a section where we spoke about ABBA Voyage and I mentioned I went, and there was a small section in the meeting where everybody just spoke about ABBA. It was really interesting to see – even in a place like this, I had assumed meetings would be quite formal and slightly boring, but instead it was quite fun to sit in and take part in. It was quite eye-opening.

I made myself busy for a few minutes, waiting for the Rapunzel play to start. I was to sit in, write some thoughts, and eventually write a review based on a few key factors. The play itself was quite enjoyable, but I won’t elaborate much further for fear of repetition in the blog and the review. I didn’t end up writing notes during it – Androulla informed me that the writing would be distracting, which I probably should’ve thought of – so I made mental notes instead and wrote a few thoughts afterwards.

Break was shortly after, and I headed out to grab a sandwich and a drink. I ate in the Green Room like usual, and (like every other day while on break, I forgot to mention) listened to a lot of music. I very much like music.

After break, I waited around for a bit for all the children in the Next Steps program to arrive. Ron introduced me to the other Next Steps instructors (is “instructors” the right word? I can’t tell) and we had a small conversation.

As a stand-in instructor, I helped (attempted to) support the kids, I inquired when important, and I made a few suggestions. I tried to get along with the children in order to not seem rude or annoying, which had varying degrees of success, but thankfully no outright failure; or at least, to my knowledge.

There were a few games during the session, an activity about friends and healthy behaviours, and a break halfway through.

By the end of the session, I hadn’t written my review, so I made some more general notes and kept a few things in my head to write during Day 5.

TL: DR today was a lot more practical work, reviewing a play and assisting a children’s progress activity.

Day 5 – Friday 26 June 2026

This is new. I’m writing a blog on the same day.

I arrived about 5 minutes early, at 09:55, and parked my bike in the garden.

Today was quite simple. I was informed early on that – once again, due to the heat – my day would be ending at 12:00, 4 hours earlier than usual. While this place is fun, I can’t complain about that.

I started with writing my Day 4 blog. I haven’t mentioned but writing these blogs (and honestly everything I’ve done on the computers (and everything else)) has been really fun. I’ve really enjoyed my time here at Half Moon, and I’ll be sad to leave and go back to school.

Once the blog was done, I spent about 40 minutes writing a 5 page review on the Rapunzel play from yesterday, overall giving it a 7/10. It was a very fun play, and writing the review was entertaining too.

Then I wrote my work experience feedback form; I spoke highly of this place, had minimal complains, etc. a teacher from school entered shortly after, trying to gauge how I’d been doing here. I was very glad when the staff members spoke highly of me – I’ve been trying my best to do great here, and I was happy to hear that my work had paid off and helped others. Once they had left, I had a short chat with Lydia and Ron about CWC (school), and then got to writing this blog.

I’ll cherish my time at Half Moon, both as something to put on my CV and an enjoyable, wonderful experience. In the future, I might apply here – maybe while in university, while I work to get my dream job on its feet. I think that’d be nice.

28 minutes left now, and I think I’ve done all my work. This was a wonderful week. I won’t forget it.

My final message: DO WORK EXPERIENCE HERE IF YOU CAN. Trust me…