Educo Theatre's FAQ

• Do I have to be a trained performer?
  A degree (or equivalent) in the performing arts/ other relevant sector is required.
  We are looking for enthusiastic, adaptable, dedicated performers who love working with children. Experience in Theatre in Education is desirable.

• Do I have time off to sight-see?
  You will receive a minimum of 6 full days off a month, however some days you will work for 4 hours, and others for 6 – some days you will need to drive to another destination and sometimes you will not. Each day is different. It is fine if you wish to visit locations of interest as long as it does not disrupt the tour. Aside from the contractual days off, there is a paid break for Easter.

• Do I have to be able to drive to apply?
  No, but it’s advantageous and could give you an edge over another candidate. You MUST be able to drive manual with the corresponding license. You’ll also need to obtain an International license before leaving home.

• Do I need a work visa or EU Passport?
  Yes, you will need one of the following:
• -EU passport
• -Working Holiday Visa (applicable ONLY to Canadian, Australian, New Zealand and South Korean applicants)
  Any successful non-EU applicants will be required to pay a nominal fee (approx. €170) when arriving in Italy towards your entry stamp. You’ll also need a passport photo.

• Do I need to obtain a Working Holiday Visa before applying for Teatrino?
  You must have a Working Holiday Visa, which is valid up until the end of May 2023, to work for Teatrino. We understand that this job may be a driving force for many people wanting to apply for a Working Holiday Visa, however this should not be the sole reason for applying. A Working Holiday Visa is intended for those wanting to travel a country for half of the time and work for the other half.

You can apply for Teatrino via our online application form. After 11th October (our application closing date) we will be letting applicants know if they have been short-listed. At this point, short-listed non-EU applicants will be requested to send us a copy of/ proof of application of their Working Holiday Visa for Italy.

Please note, if you apply for a Working Holiday Visa, this does not guarantee you a position with us.

• How do I apply?
  Click here to begin the application process.

• How much money will I be paid?
  Whilst on tour, Teatrino performers earn €250 per week (paid monthly). There is also an opportunity to earn a bonus of between €0 and €30 per week, which is paid six months after the successful completion of the tour. Accommodation, transport, car and work insurance is provided. Artistes receive €150 per week for rehearsals (paid weekly) plus accommodation, breakfast and lunches. Please note, we do not cover travel costs to and from Italy.

• What age are most of the actors?
  The minimum age for our actors is 18, and the bulk of our actors are aged between 22 and 30.

• What happens in Sanremo for the rehearsal period?
  Rehearsals take place in Sanremo, a bustling coastal town on the Italian riviera near the French border. The rehearsal period involves learning the repertoire along with the corresponding workshop material. During this rehearsal period in Sanremo you will be placed in your group of two, three or four (depending on your tour). You will also be told whereabouts your tour will take place and general administration information.

• How much of Italy will I see?
  This depends on your tour. We collaborate with over 2000 Italian schools from the Dolomites to Sicily. If you are on the Acting and Workshops tour you will be placed in a specific region for the duration of your tour. We are unable to take requests of placements in particular locations. The Pop Music and Culture and Storytelling tours are national tours.

• What is the accommodation situation like?
  Accommodation will be in shared hotel rooms or in Educo apartments depending on where your tour takes place. You will almost always have to share a room with your colleagues.

• What type of shows/sketches will I be performing?
  For the Acting and Workshops tour, the one-hour long shows are either based entirely on one story or consist of a combination of short humorous sketches suited to meet the English level of the audience (see job description for more details). Each tour has a different repertoire so for more details please refer to the specific job description of each tour. The children are aged between 5 and 18, however the bulk of the shows are aimed at children aged 13 and under. For the older students we offer workshops based on a musical. In this case the students are the protagonists and our actors the facilitators. The duration of this ‘show’ is around 1.5 hours (it is not followed by an extra workshop).

• When and where are the auditions?
  Our auditions are usually held in London, UK early November (invite only). Information and details regarding this are given directly to applicants who are invited to attend. The audition is applicable to only those applying for the Acting and Workshops tour and Storytelling Workshop tour. A short-listed number of Pop Music and Culture applicants will be asked to self-tape along with those who cannot attend an audition.
  *Please note, given the ongoing pandemic, we are continuing to not hold auditions in London. All candidates must now submit a self tape.

• When do tours start and how long do they run for?
  Tours run from January to the end of May (rehearsal period included), though we reserve the right to end some or all tours earlier than anticipated depending on the number of bookings we receive. Teatrino requires 8 actors for the Acting and Workshops tour, 3 Storytellers and two Pop Music & Culture artistes.

• Do I need to speak any Italian?
  Knowledge of the Italian language is obviously useful for you, but it is not a pre-requisite for the job.

• Who can I contact for more info?
  Please contact us by email at teatrino@educoitaly.com.