This role involves assisting in rehearsals, undertaking administrative tasks and personal care-related tasks (no previous "care" training or experience required). You will receive on-the-job training. It is important for you to be pro-active and have an ability to read situations to determine how you can best assist in a multitude of contexts.
Example day 1: In rehearsals
James is taking rehearsals and attending production meetings and will need help preparing for the day before travelling to and from his workplace. This involves travelling on public transport en route to an office or rehearsal/ performance environment. Your role will vary from assisting James as he navigates corridors and lifts, to typing notes/ emails and assisting James with phone calls/ meetings/ rehearsals (repeating his dialogue in first-person). In doing this, you might need to take notes on James' behalf. Regardless of the environment in which you are assisting, your only priority should remain focused on assisting James with his needs.
This is a logistical role and assistants are not directly involved in creative projects other than to assist as required. However, the role needs a creative mind, social awareness, and an aptitude to deal with the unexpected as well as the mundane positively.
Example day 2: James' home
James is at home, either working, relaxing, or both. You won't have an itinerary of how the day is going to unfold. During times when James doesn't need direct assistance, the PA is responsible for maintaining a safe, clean and tidy environment without direction or prompting, e.g. laundry, washing up, and ensuring that the home is clean and tidy. Assistants are also expected to be pro-active with their time in finding useful tasks to undertake, (e.g. sorting letters, checking household items, clearing surfaces).
It is important that floor space is kept clear and that any chairs and foldable furniture is cleaned and placed back into storage when not in use.