Joining the IOTC

The membership form and IOTC Code of Conduct can be downloaded below. Please email the completed form to info@theatreconsultants.org.uk.

Notes on Membership

Member of the Institute of Theatre Consultants

Full membership is typically entered after two years as an Associate member. However, the Institute may admit applicants to full Membership where they can demonstrate their proven expertise and experience as a Theatre Consultant. Applicants to become Full Members without current Associate membership are required to:

  • Complete an application form which sets out their education, career to date and consulting experience.
  • Have their application proposed and seconded by a Member of the Institute.
  • Provide two examples of projects on which they have had a significant involvement, these projects need not be completed at the time of application.
  • Provide the name and contact details of client or architect or Principal Consultant prepared to give a reference for each project. The Institute will write to them asking about the applicants input to the project. OR
  • Provide a formal recommendation for Full Membership on behalf of an established Theatre Consultancy practice describing their client and design team support.

Full Members are permitted to describe themselves as “Members of the Institute of Theatre Consultants” and to use the letters “MITC” after their names on business cards, correspondence and other promotional material.

Associates having a minimum period of two years as Associate Members are eligible for transfer to full membership. Applicants to transfer to full members are required to:

  • Complete a summary outlining their work and progress since becoming an Associate.
  • Provide two examples of completed projects where they have had a significant involvement.

Applications for transfer will be reviewed by the committee, to establish that the applicants’ careers as consultants are progressing and that they have played an appropriate part in the activities of the Institute during their period as an Associate. Associates may be admitted as Full Members of the Institute or asked to continue as Associates if the Members, in committee, feel they were not yet qualified for full membership or, in exceptional circumstances, be asked to offer their resignation from the Institute.

Associate of the Institute of Theatre Consultants

The Institute expects applicants either to be full time consultants or to spend the majority of their time on consultancy work. Applicants to become Associates are required to:

  • Complete an application form which sets out their education, career to date and consulting experience.
  • Have their application proposed and seconded by a Member of the Institute. Applicants who do not know a member of the Institute will be introduced to an appropriate Member who will make themselves familiar with the applicant’s work.
  • Provide one example of a project on which they have had a significant involvement, this project need not be completed at the time of application.
  • Provide the name and contact details of a client or architect prepared to give a reference.

The application will be reviewed by the committee and the membership informed that an application has been received. If the application is accepted the individual becomes an Associate of the Institute, paying a one-off entry fee and an annual subscription. Associates are entitled to attend and take part in all meetings and seminars organised by the Institute. Associates are permitted to describe themselves as “Associate of the Institute of Theatre Consultants” and to use the letters “AITC” on their stationery.

All Members’ and Associate Members’ names appear on the Institute’s Membership List, which is sent to prospective clients in response to enquiries.

Affiliate Membership

Necessarily the Membership and Associate Memberships reflect years of experience in the fields of theatre and building design teams working on creating spaces for performance. As such, the Institute found that its Membership and Associate Membership poorly reflected the younger members of practices and the new and innovative growth they offer to projects and the wider profession of Theatre Consultancy. Specialist skills that might never reach the client as separate elements (and so not enjoy the client appreciation required for the references for senior grades of membership) were not generally represented.

The Institute therefore created a new class of membership for those who work in practices led by full members of the society. The qualification for entry is a recommendation to Affiliate Membership from the practice.

All membership levels

All membership levels are welcome to attend the regular seminars and visits to theatres and to advance their continuing professional development. All receive the Newsletters and have access to papers prepared as part of the Diploma, and any papers prepared by members for publication. These will be made available in electronic form, and members will be required to respect the copyright of the authors of these papers. These papers are confidential to the Institute’s members and affiliates unless otherwise stated.

All membership levels are required to keep the Institute informed of any changes to the practice in which they are employed, their qualifications and their residential address.