Our newest 2025 Graduate Business Associates have joined the New Adelphi Theatre Team!
Rheanon Shaw, Jess Burns and Abi Swingler, all recent Salford graduates, have taken the plunge into life working at the New Adelphi Theatre – experiencing the day-to-day running of the Theatre, learning about the admin behind the scenes, and looking at the venue with fresh eyes to see what can be improved!
We decided to ask them a few questions about their internships thus far, what they’re hoping to learn, and any advice for future interns!
Meet Abi Swingler!
What made you apply for the University of Salford Internship?
Since leaving University I took some time out to recharge and settle in to living in Manchester full time, I knew that this internship was the next step and would propel me to the next level of my career. My lecturer made me aware of the GAP programme before I graduated, so it was always on my radar and knew it was something I wanted to do. Picking the New Adelphi Theatre Internship was the right fit for me as producing within a variety of art forms is something that interests me and I wanted to step out of my comfort zone.
What are you looking forward to doing in your internship?
I’m most excited about opening my horizons to different art forms within the theatre. My background is fully dance based, I’ve danced my whole life, and I hold a 1st class degree in Dance, so already in my first few weeks I’ve experienced a large mixture of shows. These have ranged from student theatre, a radio conference and a local dance school’s show along with a whole lot more. I’m excited for everyday to be different and be occupied with numerous tasks at once – my brain thrives on being busy.
How have you found the transition from being student to staff member?
Strange but I am enjoying it! Working with the New Adelphi Theatre Team as an equal has been really enlightening and I am learning a lot about all the behind the scenes work that goes on. I’m also lucky that I have the support of the two other interns, Jess and Rheanon. We’re all in the same boat and have noticed we have similar worries when it came to settling into the transition. I’m really enjoying being back on campus but with the added responsibility of a full-time job.
What would you say to someone considering taking up the internship?
Do it! Even in my first few weeks, I feel like I’ve learnt so much and has given me a huge confidence boost that this is something I really can see myself having a career in. This New Adelphi Theatre internship has a huge variety of experiences, and every day is different. You’ll be surrounded by a great team in an amazing theatre; you have nothing to lose by taking this internship up.
Where would you like the internship to lead you next?
A full-time job in a creative space. I don’t want to go back to a ‘normal’ job and I know that I thrive when I’m surrounded by others who are also creatively minded. I will always be a dancer at heart, and this is something I will never give up. Whether I’m performing, teaching or just taking class for fun, I will always keep this at the core of my creativity. Dance producers are something that the Northwest are lacking compared to theatre producers and I am hoping to fill that gap. I’m also interested in events management and social media content creation – a lot of these skills all overlap – and I would love to have a job where I’m balancing lots of responsibilities at once.
Meet Jess Burns!
What made you apply for the University of Salford internship?
I applied initially as I wanted to broaden my experience, learn how to manage a theatre team, and learn what goes on in the background on all the different shows that get put on. I am more of a performer myself, and this internship stood out to me the most as it will hopefully allow me to transfer newfound skills to a future career in the arts, whether that’s on or off the stage. In all honesty, after graduating University I found it really difficult to get my foot in the door in a creative industry as there were so many different career paths I wanted to explore, but didn’t know where or how to begin. I ended up in a cycle of working to pay rent and not enjoying my corporate job, and when this opportunity came up, I jumped at the chance of getting to apply. It has so many extra benefits, like getting a dedicated careers advisor alongside your normal intern duties to help navigate your career ideas, CVs, LinkedIn etc, which has been such a blessing. Being around other creatives has also helped in motivating me to get my career on track, and the New Adelphi Theatre Team are so encouraging and have a breadth of knowledge in absolutely everything – so it has been nice to pick their brains!
What are you looking forward to doing in your internship?
I am looking forward to working alongside Abi and Rheanon, who are also recent graduates, and be surrounded by like-minded people with different skills to learn from each other. I am also looking forward to broadening my skill set and learn different marketing, social media and business strategies as this isn’t something I’ve had much experience in before. As well as this, I thrive working as a leader in a team and I am excited to learn from the team how to manage a team of ushers and front of house team during different shows and performances. And, not to forget, but getting the chance to watch some of the great performances on in the New Adelphi Theatre is a bonus!
How have you found the transition from being a student to a staff member?
I have found it to be quite a smooth transition. It does feel a little odd being in the university and reminding myself I’m not a student anymore, and that I am now a staff member, but already knowing my way about and the team I’m working with has helped with the anxiety of it! It’s been interesting to find out what goes on behind the scenes of the New Adelphi Building and Theatre, and learn about the amount of prep and work that goes on for performances I was involved in in my three years at university.
What would you say to someone considering taking up the internship?
I would say definitely take the opportunity! It has been such a blessing to get this at this point in my career as I found myself falling into a trap of not wanting to pursue my creative goals anymore once graduating. It is such a brilliant way to help anyone struggling in figuring out what they want for their career, and being surrounded by like-minded people to helps build your confidence back up again and try something different. I never would have saw myself looking into a career of managing a theatre, but from the short time I’ve been here already, it is something I am now considering and looking for opportunities leading teams in a theatre. It has given me so many skills I wouldn’t have had the opportunity elsewhere to find, whilst also allowing time to focus on your career goals and aspirations and work on personal projects that I have pushed to the side when I finished university.
Where would you like the internship to lead you to next?
Anywhere creative! The internship has helped me to realise that even if I’m not performing on a stage or presenting behind a mic, being in a creative environment with like-minded people is what really helps me thrive. I have realised that leading a team and management opportunities in theatres would be something I’d definitely consider in the future – even running my own drama group! I have also gained lots of social media and marketing skills that I knew I’d enjoy, just needed to gain professional skills to apply for these types of jobs, which is something I can see myself doing in the future. Whilst saying this, I am also not going to give up on my dreams of becoming a musical theatre actress or a radio presenter; the internship has allowed me to really believe in myself and expand my skill set, and to not worry that I don’t have everything worked out at this exact point in my life. I’ve just got to keep positive and motivated.
Meet Rheanon Shaw!
What made you apply for the University of Salford internship?
I wanted to find professional experience that also allowed me to experiment with learning and grow my skillset. I knew that The University of Salford was the perfect place for this as everyone is really supportive and the facilities are reliable.
What are you looking forward to doing in your internship?
I’m looking forward to gaining professional experience in the things I enjoy doing, like video editing, social media, and organising events. I’ll be leaving the internship feeling more confident in my abilities and equipped to apply myself to the professional field.
How have you found the transition from being a student to a staff member?
I’m grateful to be in a workplace that I am already familiar with; it’s really interesting to find out what goes on behind the scenes at The New Adelphi Theatre and be part of a different perspective of being in a creative environment.
What would you say to someone considering taking up the internship?
Apply! Always give yourself the option. The internship is whatever you want it to be so you can only gain from it.
Where would you like the internship to lead you to next?
Alongside the internship, I’m self-employed making social media videos and I’m a comedian/actor. Self-employment is really hard in the first few years, but if I can manage to stay in the industry doing what I enjoy, like social media or events management, then I can also continue to grow as a self-employed creative too, as the skills and experience go hand in hand.
