5th August 2024
Joshua Comendas (16) was specially select to take part in a one month work experience programme during June/July.
Josh is a regular participant and volunteer at BPT. As a committed boxer, he trains in the gym with the Don Davis Boxing Academy multiple times each week. Alongside this, he volunteers for BPT every week, supporting with our community timetable, holiday programmes, and site maintenance whenever possible. He is also a key member of our youth council, Black Prince Youth, which works to give young people greater voice, representation and influence at BPT.
Whilst boxing is one of his leading passions, Josh is keen to pursue a career as an actor. As a result, he decided to apply for a work experience programme with Frontline Lambeth, which gives provides the opportunity of paid work with a range of local organisations, including the Old Vic theatre in Waterloo.
After an application and interview process, Josh was specially selected to take part in this work experience programme, where he was given a range of different shifts over the course of a month. This included a range of responsibilities, including stage door manager, receptionist, cafe and bar, ushering and box office duties.
Josh was lucky enough to work on the production of ‘The Constituent’, with James Corden. Josh got to meet the whole cast, including James Corden himself, where he got to ask them for advice about how to get into acting, and any other recommendations they had about the industry.
Josh received some really positive feedback throughout the programmes, and he is hopeful that his experience will lead to more work at the Old Vic in the future, potentially alongside other venues such as the National Theatre.
Most of all, Josh was grateful to be immersed within the world of acting, and being in the environment of a theatre has helped his aspirations to become an actor.
When asked how he found his work experience, Josh said: “At first I was very nervous to be working somewhere as big as The Old Vic, but once I got into the rhythm of things, I really enjoyed it. I was really happy to get such positive reviews from my supervisors and hopefully this will help my future career”.
A big thank you to Frontline Lambeth and the Old Vic for getting Josh involved with the programme, where he had an unbelievable experience. We hope that this will lead to even bigger and better opportunities for Josh going forward!
