begin their career in technical theatre within Cockburn Multi-Academy Trust. Working across our Trust schools, you will support rehearsals, productions and events while completing a Production Technician (Live Events) Apprenticeship.

£15,704 to £25,396.80, depending on your age.

National Minimum Wage

Training course Creative industries production technician (level 3)HoursMonday - Friday - With some weekend work may be required.

40 hours a week

Start date

Tuesday 31 March 2026

Duration

1 year 9 months

Work

Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.

What you'll do at work

You will work closely with experienced technicians and teaching staff to support students, maintain safe performance spaces and develop hands-on skills in lighting, sound, rigging and stage operations. This is a demanding but highly rewarding role for someone eager to learn, develop professionally and work as part of a creative team.

Key Responsibilities:

• Support technical set-ups and operation for rehearsals, performances and events across Trust schools
• Assist with lighting, sound, rigging and stage equipment, including get-ins and get-outs
• Willing and able to work at heights
• Supervise and support students in technical and production areas, promoting safe working practices
• Maintain equipment, report faults and help ensure production spaces are safe, secure and well organised
• Reporting any defects of any equipment and taking said equipment out of service until repaired
• To become familiar with the Health and safety at Work Act 1974
• Work collaboratively with staff, visiting companies and front-of-house teams
• Follow the Trust’s health and safety policies and always ensure industry best practice
• Attend apprenticeship training and actively engage in professional development

Where you'll work

Cockburn School Gipsy Lane
Leeds
LS11 5TT

Applications are now open for work placements in the Scenic Art department at the National Theatre.

These two-week placements are for those studying, or recently graduated from, a Scenic Art or other relevant higher education course and looking for work experience in this field. Please note:

Placements will take place between April 2026 and March 2027.
Placements are not paid, but travel and food expenses will be covered.
This is an opportunity for people aged 18+.

As part of your application, please upload a CV, covering letter explaining why you are applying for this placement, and a short portfolio of your work. If you have any questions or if you would like to submit an application via an alternative format, please contact one of the Skills Centre team at skillscentre@nationaltheatre.org.uk who can offer guidance on how to do this.

Step behind the stage with this immersive six-month traineeship, gaining hands-on production experience and learning how world-class innovative shows are brought to life.

The Royal Court Theatre is internationally-recognised as the UK’s leading theatre for new work, with a 70-year commitment to developing and championing talent on and off stage. Each year it nurtures hundreds of emerging practitioners through structured development, placements and learning programmes – supporting them all the way through to professional debuts and major productions. 

Its mission is defined by taking risks on stages – inspiring audiences, artists and communities, and empowering new and diverse voices to drive forward national culture and public conversation. Every year Royal Court reaches over 100,000 people between its two theatres, touring productions and youth and community projects. Coming at an exciting time during its 70th Anniversary, this traineeship ensures both practical learning and a real dose of inspiration and excitement for someone new to the industry.

This production traineeship provides a supported, developmental role in our busy world-class backstage theatre teams – including opportunities to build to professional credits, and gain insights into future career pathways in theatre. Throughout the traineeship, the successful candidate will undertake supervised, developmental tasks that build confidence in rehearsal support, technical periods and performances, giving direct insight and hands-on experience into how plays are developed, rehearsed and staged in a world-leading contemporary theatre. There will also be opportunities to work alongside globally renowned artists, brand new writers and youth participants. The six-month traineeship will follow a structured timeline to support learning and development, potentially as follows:

• Months 1-2: Learning through practice, shadowing, and supervised contributions at the heart of our teams
• Months 3-4: Taking on more guided responsibilities and ownership of smaller, defined tasks on each production
• Month 5: Opportunities for short tailored placements across other departments of interest to the trainee, potentially including our producing, venue management, operations and marketing & communications teams
• Month 6: Taking on stage management responsibilities for festival presentations and readings in our September 2026 Open Submissions Festival in a supported environment, securing professional credits as an outcome

Key activities

• Supporting rehearsals, including setting up and maintaining rehearsal rooms, props and equipment
• Sourcing and adapting props
• Creating and updating relevant production paperwork
• Attending key production meetings and assisting with follow-up tasks
• Supporting deputy stage managers in managing rehearsal rooms, including wellbeing and pastoral care for rehearsal companies
• Observing and assisting fit-ups, set builds, and technical rehearsals
• Shadowing and supporting stage managers during technical rehearsals and running shows
• Helping backstage before and during performances, including company check-ins and wellbeing support
• Connecting with wider departments through optional placements across the organisation based on the candidate’s interests

What you will gain

• A clear understanding of professional production and stage management workflows, and the careers in these fields
• Enhanced confidence in rehearsal-room support, from wellbeing and inclusion for new and diverse artists to professional standards expected of world-leading talent
• First-hand experience of technical and performance periods
• Insight into the artistic and logistical processes of producing new theatre, and wider career pathways and opportunities across the UK theatre sector
• Clear, demonstrable evidence of work in a professional theatre environment and specific credits for your CV
• Build a meaningful professional network via introductions to creative teams, freelancers and partner organisations

What we are looking for

• No formal training is required but some experience or transferable skills that relate to stage management, theatre or backstage theatre are desirable
• A passion and genuine interest for theatre, stage management and backstage theatre, with an interest in exploring future pathways and careers within these
• Strong communication and organisational skills
• Curiosity and willingness to learn
• A positive flexible approach to working, with the possibility of some evening and weekends as required

Summary

Are you interested in FREE training and a PAID work placement in exciting London theatres?

More Details

Are you interested in FREE training and a PAID work placement in exciting London theatres?

Role title: CHANGE THE SCRIPT : West End Technical Trainee (Westminster)

Description of the role: Change the Script is an award winning (UK Theatre Award for workforce 2023), unique and exciting training and employment programme in London’s West End, providing unemployed Westminster with the opportunity to achieve recognised accreditations and paid work experience – in partnership with Westminster City Council.

Participants will undertake three weeks of free interactive pre-employment training and other practical certifications and then spend 49 days putting that learning into practice across multiple ATG Entertainment world-class theatre settings.

The training will be tailored to prepare participants for a successful work placement in the often hidden ‘off stage’ roles in a theatre.

This opportunity is exclusively for Westminster residents currently out of work or seeking employment.

Successful completion of the programme could lead to securing sustainable employment or an apprenticeship in a trade or a technical theatre-based support role.

Timings:

Application Deadline: Monday 23rd Feb 2026; 23:59

• Pre-employment training pre-registration in person
• Pre-employment training– 3 weeks in March 2026
• Paid work experience – 7th April 2026 – 16th June 026 (excl. bank holidays)

Salary: 49 days of paid work experience paid at £13.15 PAYE per hour plus a brand-new pair of safety boots (please provide your size as part of the application process).

Hours: 8.00am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday (including one hour of unpaid break time, hours may vary on placement).

Application process: Please register your interest online

The process is intended to be as simple as possible so a full CV is not required, you just need to tell us a bit about yourself, your transferable skills and why you would like to take part in the programme.

If you do not have access to a computer you can still apply or just find out more about the programme by coming to one of our upcoming recruitment afternoons. You can find out more about these by calling ATG Creative Learning on 07830817239 or emailing westendclcp@atgentertainment.com

The ‘Change the Script’ programme is a fantastic way to get free accredited training, an appreciation for the world of construction and access to the arts industry on your doorstep, all while being paid.

The National Theatre are currently recruiting for a Wigs, Hair and Makeup (WHAM) Apprentice to join their in-house team on a 27-month fixed-term contract.

The Wigs, Hair and Make-up Department at the National Theatre makes and applies all wigs, facial hair, special effects Makeup and blood effects used at the NT. They also undertake all barbering and hair processing requirements during the run of shows. They are thus closely involved with directors and designers, supporting them and realising their design concepts.

You will also learn about the vital role collaboration and communication play in the creative design process and how to work closely with people in a time-pressured and dynamic environment. This apprenticeship is for those with a passion for theatre who haven’t yet had experience of working in professional theatre.

Salary: £30,784 per annum, pro rata (£592 per week) based on London Living Wage.

How to apply:

• Complete the application form on their website.

Have you ever wondered how the lights, sound and technical effects come togethter to make each moment unforgettable?

As an Apprentice at LW Theatres, you'll work towards a Level 3 Creative Venue Technician Apprenticeship while gaining valuable skills working on some of the biggest shows in the world!

You'll gain hands-on experience across a range of technical departments, including stage flying systems, props, scenery, lighting, sound, and automation. As you progress through the apprenticeship, you'll also have the opportunity to specialise in the area that interests you most.

The apprenticeship is designed to run over a two-year period, allowing you to steadily build knowledge, experience, and professional capability.

Start Date: September 2026

End Date: August 2028

Contracted Hours: 40 hours per week

Salary: £26, 511.94 per annum

How to apply:

• Visit the linked opportunity, and send your CV to the LW Theatres team.

Guildhall School of Music & Drama’s Backstage Roadshow will take a series of FREE backstage skills workshops directly into UK state schools, introducing children and young people to the variety of creative pathways and career opportunities that exist within theatre, live events, television and film.

Led by industry professionals and designed by the School’s Production Arts staff, the Backstage Roadshow will take professional equipment into schools to provide a crucial insight into one of the UK’s fastest growing sectors and inspire young people to train and work in the creative industries.

Our team will also be offering full technical support to two primary school productions each year, bringing our lighting, sound, and stage management equipment, along with staff to help run your show.

How it works

The Backstage Roadshow will run for the Academic Years of 2024/25 and 2025/26, with support offered for one Primary School production in December and one in June or July.

What do we bring to your school?

• One lead facilitator and one workshop assistant to run each session. 
• Workshops designed for up to eight students per session, lasting 2-3 hours.
• For multiple workshops, one Project Manager to co-ordinate our staff.
• All equipment needed for each session.
• Transport of equipment to and from your venue.
• All of our staff complete an Enhanced DBS check.
• Public Liability, Employers Liability, and Professional Indemnity Insurance of up to £10,000,000.
• Full risk assessments for all activities (supplied upon request).

For workshops, please complete your expression of interest via this form.

Shortlisted schools will be contacted for an online meeting to discuss the options, prior to a site-visit being arranged ahead of any firm offer for the Backstage Roadshow to visit.

Primary schools, please register here.

We are looking to take on a trainee stage manager to assist with our spring/ summer 2026 theatre production of The Scarlet Pimpernel. This is a hands-on role, requiring attendance at rehearsals (in Brixham) and shows (South Devon and up to Midlands). At the end the trainee may be invited to stay on with us, or not as they choose. Laura, the show director and theatre company founder will be mentoring.

The trainee will recieve photos of them "in action" at rehearsals and shows, free tea and coffee at all shows/ rehearsals, and at the end of the show run, a written reference for future work or study use.  Travel to Midlands performance(s) is provided.  Rehearsals begin Feb 2026, show run finishes duing August 2026

The trainee should be based in the South Devon area. 

With us, the stage manager will be trained with the following responsibilities:

• Use a ground plan to mark up the rehearsal room
• Attend production discussion (may be in person or online)
• Managing the furniture and props used in a production
• Supervise the ‘get in’ and ‘get out’
• Create a prompt script compiled with notes on Actors’ cues and requirements for props, lighting and sound
• Help to create a risk assessment to ensure the safety of the full company
• Manage the backstage and onstage area during performances
• Call cast for rehearsals and performances
• Maintain props, furniture and set during the run
• Liaise with resident staff (when touring)
• Helping ensure that rehearsal and performance venues are left spotless

Applicants Personal Qualities: 

• Aged over 18 (to the skys the limit)
• Reliable, able to attend rehearsals and shows.
• Able and willing to work with different people regardless of age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, religion etc, in a friendly, safe and supportive team creating high quality shows.
• Being zero tolerance to bullying, gaslighting or inappropriate behaviour
  Being clean and tidy
• Keeping any production or personal details confidential as required.

 

Masterclass is offering a paid, three-month internship for an aspiring Theatre Technician, at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. This is a hands-on opportunity for those interested in electrics and / or carpentry to gain backstage experience in a professional theatre.

You’ll work full-time alongside experienced in-house electrical and carpentry teams, supported by Masterclass. During this 13-week placement, you’ll develop essential skills in lighting, rigging and carpentry, with the flexibility to focus on your interests.

This internship is for those at the start of their career or looking for a first step into theatre. Prior theatre experience is not required, but candidates must have basic skills in carpentry, electrics or sound, and a strong interest in theatre and live events.

Ideal candidates will:

• Have a strong interest in theatre
• Be curious, enthusiastic and hardworking
• Have relevant qualifications or experience in carpentry, electrics, or sound
• Be eager to learn and contribute to a busy team
• Possess good communication and organisational skills
• Work well under pressure and solve problems effectively
• Not have professional experience working backstage on a large-scale commercial production

Eligibility:

• Age 18+
• Available for the full placement
• Have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the placement
• Be a Masterclass member (free to join)

 

The Cultural Learning and Participation Officer Apprenticeship provides hands-on experience, mixing practical and administrative work with college learning underpinning your experiences.

Over the course of the Apprenticeship you will gain professional experience in arts administration, practical workshop delivery, project management and leadership, and will receive on-going mentoring and coaching from the Learning, Education and Participation (LEAP) Team and Chichester College staff. You will predominately support the Children and Young People strand of the LEAP programme. 

You will work towards completing a formal apprenticeship in Cultural Learning and Participation, which is celebrated and monitored throughout the role in a portfolio of work, culminating in an End-Point Assessment.