Faith Austin

Since graduating in 2013 with a BA Drama degree, Faith Austin has worked in many of London’s most prestigious theatres including The Royal Opera House and the Rose Theatre in Kingston, and has toured with theatre companies and comedians as a stage manager. In 2020 she joined the Barbican Centre, where she continues to work as a Production Manager in the music department.

Tell us about your career path since graduation.

After graduation I worked at the University of Kent for a little while as a technician, then as Senior Technician for the drama department. Whilst doing that I was working freelance in production for music, comedy and theatre shows.

After a couple of years of juggling my job at the university and taking on additional freelance work, I moved to London and went freelance full-time. Over that time, I worked in various venues, such as Kings Place, The Royal Opera House and the Rose Theatre in Kingston, as a part-time technician. I toured with theatre companies and comedians as their stage manager or production manager. Over the summers I would work music festivals, again, either as a stage or production manager, but gained knowledge in Health and Safety management and Site Management.

I started working at the Barbican in 2020; originally working with their community, learning and participation department and worked across the centre. Last year I then moved into the music department, mainly working in the Barbican and Milton Court concert halls.

What does a typical work day look like for you?

It depends what day you catch me on! Sometimes I can be knee-deep in paperwork; risk assessments, combing through technical riders, putting together applications for artist visas. Or can be in meetings about how we're going to make a complex show work in our venues.

Other days, I might be running around with a radio supporting our teams in wrangling artists and managing a show coming into the venue. 

Every day is different!

Can you share a professional highlight from your career so far?

I think Production Managing the exhibition Differently Various into the Curve gallery at the Barbican in 2023 was really special. We were working with the charity Headway East London, who support people who have been affected by brain injuries.

The exhibition was a celebration of their art centre and included artworks from people who attend the centre. It was one of the most incredible projects I have worked on and the exhibition was beautiful.

How did your time at Kent help you achieve your current career?

My time at Kent allowed me to explore different areas of the industry and discover what excited me about the arts. I was able to ask questions and figure out what route I wanted to take into the industry.

What advice would you give to our current/prospective students who are looking to get into the same line of work?

The industry is always changing, and there is always new technologies and equipment, new legislation or new ways of working to adapt to. You should never want to stop learning new things, it's good to want to understand more; but it’s also important to accept that you can't know everything and it's ok to ask questions.

Do you have a favourite memory from your time at Kent?

I always really enjoyed the end of term performances. There was so much excitement (and stress) but it was incredible seeing each other's shows and celebrating all our hard work together. 

Is there anything you would do differently if you could repeat your time at Kent?

I wouldn't change anything - just in case I didn't end up where I am now.

Are you still in touch with other Kent alumni or academics?

I am still in touch with both alumni and academics.

I’ve worked with some of the lecturers since graduating and I actually met my now husband at Kent. I also work occasionally with other graduates, either through them freelancing for me or vice versa.

What are your future ambitions?

To be honest, I don't know!

I always wanted to be a production manager, and I am doing that for one of the largest arts centres in Europe. I think I will stick with this for a little while and then see what happens next.