Here's a little about where I work!I would have some photos or video up here, but my internet is atrocious.A couple of these reports describe a lot of my experiences at The Space theatre.This place is really important to me, and is one of the many reasons why I plan to visit London again in the future.The following are short excerpts of my Journal entries that are required for school, and they give a pretty good idea about how I've progressed in this theatre:

Internship Journal

November 9th - November 15th

Well, I'm officially the Centre Administrator for The Space theatre in London!My hours are 2:00-10pm on Wednesdays, and 12:00-6 on Thursdays.I just got done with my second day of work, and I'm very surprised at how much there is to be done to keep a community theatre alive and well.My supervisor's name is Adam Hemming, and he's very easy to get along with.He shares his tiny office (which doubles as the box office) with Mari Rettedal, the Centre Manager.I work with the other volunteers out in my "work pod" in the lot next to the theatre.It's not so bad, but I'll probably be wearing my heavy coat in there within a month.The work Adam gives me is not usually something I expect, but that may be because I haven't gotten to work on the night of a show as of yet.

Internship Journal 2

September16-22

This week started off with some of the usual business, filling out forms to petition for grants or to rent workspace, and running to the post box to deliver them.Wednesday was different, however, because it was the night of the show Lilies.I was to be helping with the production in some way.About two hours before the show my second supervisor, Mari, told me that I was to run the box office and showed me how to do it.She probably told me about 2,000 things in those 10 minutes, but I think I got the hang of it.I was told how to use the two types of credit card machines, how to take online orders, how to take calling orders, where to put the money, and how to record every single transaction. Well, thankfully I had some help.Rhea, a woman in her late twenties, was to help me run the box office.I was glad when she told me she had done this before.

Internship Journal 5

October 7th- 13th

Thursday was rather exhausting.For starters, I almost fell to my death!We need to adjust the lighting for the Cabaret show on Thursday night, so I had to do it manually, on a ladder.I was about 30 feet high, when my weight shifted after trying to adjust a light.I was at eye-level with my supervisor, Adam, because he was on the balcony.He was completely panicked, and all he could do was reach out to me and say "Are you alright!?"Apparently my coworker down below didn't think to put her foot on the bottom of the ladder to sturdy it, and the left leg of the ladder lifted almost a foot off the ground.I was fine, but Adam thought he almost killed his first intern.

Internship Journal 6

October 14th-21st

Last week, Adam invited me to attend any one of the rehearsals for his show, Dogg's Hamlet and The Real Inspector Hound.I decided I would attend on Monday, and I was put to work.I started the night introducing myself to the performers, as well as getting the props and set ready for the night.After that, I acted as the stage manager for the evening, prompting the actors with their lines, as well as lacing in a few lines for an actor who was absent.At the end of the night I had a drink with Adam and a couple of the actors, and I joked around with Adam that if an actor got sick I'd be more than willing to stand in for him.Adam then said, "Well, you could be the corpse."Apparently, he was going to use a dummy as a corpse for a scene in The Real Inspector Hound.I was more than willing to lay on the ground for an hour straight to get into the program.I mean, heck, I could say that I was in a show in London!So, I, Brandon Keller, am officially playing the role of "The Corpse" on November 2, 3, and 4.Who cares if the audience only sees my feet hanging out from under a chez lounge?It's all for the art!

Internship Journal 7

October 28th- November 3rd

On Thursday, I went shopping for props and other materials for opening night.I was pretty disappointed because I hate sitting on the Underground for more time than I have to.I had to go back to central London because the only arts and crafts stores that exist are in Soho.Three hours and a disgusting McDonald's lunch later, I came back and helped set up for the long weekend to come.

The play was a great time.The best thing about this weekend was the bond I developed with the actors, musicians, and crew.Sure I was just a corpse in the play, but that didn't keep me from doing warm up exercises with my fellow actors.We had full houses on Friday and Sunday nights.Overall, it was a very successful first production for the Space.I felt really lucky to be a part of it.

Internship Journal 9

November 11-17

I spent all my time upstairs in the bar while I edited my video, because the Hubbub has a free wireless connection.I've had the most interesting week, because of all of the people I met while editing this video.A regular at the bar, Johan, is from South Africa.He once cornered another American intern while he was drunk and informed him about how much he hates Americans.Needless to say, I'm a little weary around him, especially when he sparks up a political conversation with me while I'm editing my video.However, I was able to explain a lot about our system to him that he didn't know, as well as let him know my disapproving point of view about our foreign policies.He then told me stories of war in South Africa, and other related things.It was a civil and really informative conversation, and before he left we shook hands and formally introduced ourselves.

I would have similar conversations with the two actors/bartenders I'm close to, Andy and Ben.I love the understanding that comes from these conversations.The sad truth is that I sometimes learn more in an English bar than in the classroom!I'll be working on the video this weekend, and hopefully have a finished product to show Adam and Mari next Thursday.