Frequently Asked Questions


What is the MISKIN THEATRE?

It is a working theatre and arts venue situated on the grounds of North West Kent College. It aims to provide a wide range of performance to the local community and surrounding areas as an alternative to provincial theatres like the Orchard, Woodville Halls, Churchill etc. which deliver fairly populist entertainment aimed at a broad demographic.
It is not just a performing arts “course.”

Where is the timetable?

There isn’t one. The Miskin theatre is an industry model. We do not work in classroom conditions; we work in rehearsals. When people join the Miskin they join a theatre company which means they are always working towards a production. It is the company ethos that our actors, dancers, musicians and technicians learn on the job in the same way one would as an apprentice in any other profession. They are also expected to put the hours concomitant with a working theatre this means we work 9.30 – 5.30 for most of the season, but when close to a show the performers might work until 10pm and technicians will, on times, be asked to work the night shift.
We expect the majority of written evidence for their course to be done in their own time and, as a large part of this is contained in their logbook, they should be working after rehearsal every day.

Why is there so much “time off”?

There isn’t. We expect a high proportion of autonomous work from those training here. If you are not required in rehearsal there is always work to be done. As mentioned above the daily logbook is a large share of the evidence that they are learning. An external examiner would expect to see a clear and detailed account of their development in order to award them their certificates. The course is the equivalent of five A levels and the logbook’s standards should reflect this. For many the training will only last for two years and, if they wish to move on to drama schools, universities etc. we will only provide support for those who have researched their options and prepared for their auditions/ interviews.

How often will I be contacted about my son/daughters progress?

Hopefully not at all. The company’s ethos is to treat those training as working actors, dancers, technicians and musicians. It is their opportunity to put “their money where their mouth is”. On entry to the Miskin they are asked to sign a contract exactly as they would in a professional theatre company. This contract is the basis for their training and is regarded as sacrosanct by the company. Only those in breach of their contract will face disciplinary action, which could involve parental contact. It is essential that you read the contract and digest it. It is not negotiable.

If my daughter is an actor why does she have to see gigs? If my son is a dancer why does he have to see plays? If my kids a musician why do they have to see dance shows?

The Miskin provides a rounded view of performance for all of those training here. In a competitive industry like the arts it is fair to say that a number of people who leave the Miskin will not get work in their chosen field. However they will be able to discuss and appreciate a wide range of subjects based on what they have experienced here. There is nothing less interesting to those working in the industry than a musician who can only discuss music or an actor that only talks about acting. For that same reason we insist that those training here read newspapers and books outside of their speciality, listen to the radio and visit exhibitions locally and in London.

Why do I have to keep buying tickets for shows?

This is a large bone of contention for the parents of those training here and a source of much argument with our box office staff.
It is also a total myth.
It is the company’s purpose to bring arts to the local community and surrounding areas. Your son/daughter is a company member and lives in the local community or surrounding areas. They should be selling tickets to others who live in the local community or surrounding areas. As much as we appreciate the support of parents and friends in attending productions at the Miskin, this does not provide us with the sustained audience that we need to keep the place running. We have to build a loyal audience that will return to the theatre over many years so that we can keep providing the unique training that we do.
It is encumbent on your son/daughter that they knock on neighbours doors, go to local community centers, advertise shows during their “time off” in Dartford, cold call people in the local community and surrounding areas and find innovative ways of selling their ticket allocation.
This is how theatre works as an industry; this is how theatre works here. If you always buy your son/daughters ticket allocation they are not doing their jobs.