What is an FSJ and an internship at Bayerisches Staatsballett actually like?

We asked our current FSJ volunteer and intern. In an interview, they told us about the differences, similarities and unique aspects of their respective roles.

Who are you and what do you do here at the Bayerisches Staatsballett?

Constanze: “Hello, I’m Constanze and I’m currently completing my voluntary social year in culture at the Bayerisches Staatsballett.”

Jule: “Hi, I’m Jule and I’m doing a three-month voluntary internship in marketing and press relations at the Bayerisches Staatsballett.”

How did you first become aware of the Bayerisches Staatsballett?

Constanze: “I was generally looking around for FSJ-Kultur placements and came across the Bayerisches Staatsballett (BSB). I’ve been dancing ballet myself for many years and my enthusiasm for it has always been a constant in my life. I also enjoy working in fields that I have a direct connection to.”

Jule: “I’ve also been dancing ballet since I was three years old and have never stopped, because for me it’s simply an incredibly beautiful art form. That’s why I’ve always loved going to the theatre in my spare time. So I was immediately very excited about the Bayerisches Staatsballett.”

Why did you decide to do a voluntary social year (FSJ) or an internship in the cultural sector?

Constanze: “Personally, I find the cultural sector very interesting and believe that the importance of culture to a society is often underestimated. It brings together a wide variety of people and art forms. So I was very keen to gain an insight into this field.”

Jule: “I’d already gained some initial experience in marketing during and after my bachelor’s degree, and that’s when I came up with the idea of combining my passion for ballet and dance with the world of work. That’s how I came across the internship at the BSB. The role was simply a perfect fit and I knew straight away that I absolutely wanted to do an internship here. I’d had very little experience with press relations up to that point, so I also wanted to gain some insight into that area. It’s also very exciting to see how things work behind the scenes at such a renowned institution.”

What are your responsibilities?

Constanze: “I mainly help out in the Artistic Administration Office wherever I can. There are a few fixed, performance-related tasks, such as checking and correcting cast lists and programme notes. I also take charge of checking the dancers’ attendance and handling some of the sick notes. I help with publishing cast lists and rehearsal schedules, and generally support my colleagues with various tasks.”

Jule: “One of my tasks is compiling the press review. This involves collecting, filing and displaying all reports about the Bavarian State Ballet. I also respond to enquiries from audience members or journalists and book press tickets for performances. I also design marketing and press newsletters and manage the website, for example by updating photos, banners, announcements and cast lists, or uploading images to the dancers’ and press media library. I also design postcards and leaflets for productions. Occasionally, I also support the social media team with projects.”

What does a typical working day look like for you?

Constanze: “In the morning, I start by going through the sick notes to see if any dancers have reported in. I then do a quick round of the morning training session to check attendance. I pass this information on to everyone who needs it. If there are any sick notes, I also officially report the dancers as absent to the opera’s HR department. If there’s a performance that day, I also double-check the cast list – which I’d already sent to the printers the night before – to ensure it’s correct, and then give the go-ahead for it to be printed. Throughout the day, various other tasks come up, such as publishing revised rehearsal schedules, sourcing office supplies for colleagues, or creating and distributing short information notices.”

Jule: “First of all, in the morning I check the newspapers to see if there are any articles about the Bayerisches Staatsballett, dancers or dance in general. I also use various online clipping services to find further publications. I then compile the press review. The articles are then filed in the archive, forwarded to the State Opera’s press office, and displayed here at the Platzl and at the National Theatre. I also go through my emails in the morning and reply to various enquiries. When Constanze checks the dancers’ attendance, I often accompany her so that I can get to know the company better and, for example, be able to identify the dancers in photos and videos. In the afternoons, I usually take care of updates to the website, selecting and uploading photos, booking press tickets or compiling newsletters. On performance days, I also upload the relevant cast list for the audience onto the website. Depending on the day, I may also attend the marketing or ballet ‘Jour fixe’ meetings with the opera, where current issues are discussed. Minutes are also taken, and we interns take turns doing this.”

Which areas or departments do you work with most closely?

Constanze: “I work most closely with the Artistic Administration Office, as I’m based right in their office.”

Jule: “As I work in marketing and press relations, I gain an insight into both areas and also share an office with the relevant managers. I’m also in regular contact with the opera’s press department. On top of that, I occasionally work with the social media team, for example on photo requests or trailers.”

Are there any tasks or projects that you particularly enjoy?

Constanze: “I particularly enjoy being closely involved in the production process. Even though the run-up to a premiere can sometimes be stressful, I find it really exciting to experience the whole process, from the first rehearsals right through to casting and stage rehearsals.”

Jule: “I particularly enjoy tasks where I can contribute my own ideas and creativity, for example when designing newsletters. The contact and communication with so many different personalities is also very exciting. I also enjoy taking on organisational and structuring tasks.”

What surprised you most about your day-to-day work?

Constanze: “What surprised me most was how quickly you develop a certain ease in dealing with tasks that initially made me feel uncertain. Over time, however, I was able to master them well. I was also usually able to learn quickly from my mistakes and develop further.”

Jule: “I was surprised by how important it is to actively nurture relationships. In press relations, you deal with lots of different people, so maintaining good, lasting contact is particularly important. I was also amazed that the entire ballet administration consists of only about 13 people. I’d expected far more staff working behind the scenes.”

What has been your most memorable moment at the Bayerisches Staatsballett so far?

Constanze: “For me, it was particularly exciting to see a ballet not just in a stage rehearsal, but eventually in the actual performance as well. As I hadn’t had much experience of performances before, I was very impressed by how everything comes together step by step. I would never have linked the initial rehearsals to the result that ultimately emerged. That really brought home to me once again just how much work and how many people are involved behind the scenes of a production.”

Jule: “Although I’d only been here for a month, I was already able to play an active part in planning the team day. That was something special for me. Right from the start, I was given a lot of responsibility and a great deal of trust in my abilities. I really appreciated that feeling.”

Do you have a personal highlight from your time here? 

Constanze: “A personal highlight for me was being allowed to have a look around the ballet and opera costume store. That was really cool.”

Jule: “It’s definitely attending the rehearsals and performances. It was impressive to see how much work goes into every detail and the dedication with which the dancers and the whole team work on it every day. Experiencing that up close was a very special highlight for me.”

What sort of insights do you get behind the scenes of the ballet?

Constanze: “I think that unless you’re involved in productions on such a scale yourself, it’s hard to imagine just how much work goes into them. I had plenty of opportunities to gain behind-the-scenes insights, for example by attending stage rehearsals. I was also able to visit the workshops in Poing where the sets and props are made. I even got a guided tour of the costume and shoe store. However, most of my insights came from the organisational processes. I learnt that planning for some projects begins as much as two years in advance.”

Jule: “Because the office is right inside the rehearsal building, you naturally bump into dancers regularly or hear the music coming from the ballet studios. That creates a very special atmosphere at the Platzl. You also get the chance to watch rehearsals. That’s particularly exciting because you get a sense of just how important even the tiniest details are, and how changes can still be made and implemented at the last minute. I’m also gaining lots of insights into the organisational and communication processes surrounding the performances during my placement. For example, I’ve seen when certain measures are taken and at what point it makes sense, for instance, to run targeted promotional campaigns for productions again.”

How did the application process work? 

Constanze: “I found out about the BSB through the organisation Spielmobile. On their website, you could answer two motivational questions straight away and apply for the role. A few weeks later, I received an email inviting me to an interview. I was offered the role very quickly. I was able to sort out everything else, such as signing the contract, during the last two months of the previous season. The whole application process was straightforward and quick for me. Even though that sounds very simple now, that’s exactly how I remember it.”

Jule: “I found the vacancy on the BSB website and then applied by email with a cover letter, CV and references. I was then invited to an interview on site and heard back a few weeks later. The contract was then signed about 1–2 months beforehand. So everything went relatively smoothly and in a structured way.”

What seminars or activities are available (for FSJ participants)? 

Constanze: “There are four seminars spread throughout the year, each lasting a week. In addition, there are so-called ‘elective training days’, which run over three days. During these, you can choose from various workshops and spend three days focusing intensively on a particular topic. You can also spend a day getting to know another placement and shadowing staff there in their day-to-day work. This gives you an insight into other areas and allows you to gain new experiences.”

Jule: “As an intern, for example, I was also able to take part in a guided tour of the National Theatre.”

What benefits or special opportunities does the Bayerisches Staatsballett offer?

Constanze: “As a member of staff, I have the opportunity to attend ballet and opera performances free of charge. To do so, I can request house tickets, which is usually a very straightforward process. I can also attend dress rehearsals and stage rehearsals. I don’t think I’ll often have the chance to see as many ballet performances as I have during this season. That’s definitely a special benefit for me.”

Jule: “Exactly, even during the internship you can attend all performances free of charge. That’s definitely a huge advantage. Attending rehearsals really offers a special opportunity to get to know the work behind the scenes and gain a deeper insight into how a production comes together. Another highlight is the chance to experience the Bavarian State Ballet company in their day-to-day work and get to know them better over time. This proximity to the artistic process definitely makes the placement very exciting and unique.”

Do you have a favourite ballet or production? 

Constanze: “I particularly enjoyed the three-part evening programme Waves and Circles, as I’d had very little exposure to contemporary dance before. As for the classical pieces, Onegin was my favourite.”

Jule: “I’d say The Lady of the Camellias and the contemporary, three-part evening programme Common Ground.”

Would you choose the Bayerisches Staatsballett again, and why? 

Constanze: “Yes, definitely. I really like my colleagues, as well as the work itself and the chance to be part of productions like these.”

Jule: “Of course, especially over a period of three to six months, you get lots of insights behind the scenes and into the whole organisation.”

What advice would you give to future applicants or new FSJ volunteers?

Constanze: “I think anyone who’s passionate about ballet and is willing to get involved in the many organisational processes behind a performance will be in good hands at the Bayerisches Staatsballett. I’d also say: make the most of your time, because it goes by much faster than you think.”

Jule: “If you’re passionate about ballet and want to gain a comprehensive insight behind the scenes, an internship at the Bayerisches Staatsballett is definitely a great opportunity.”