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?
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.
Masterclass is offering a paid, 6-week internship for an aspiring Theatre Technician, at one of Lloyd Webber Theatres' six venues. This is a hands-on opportunity for those interested in electrics, stagecraft and/or video to gain backstage experience in a professional theatre.
You’ll work full-time alongside experienced in-house electrical, video and stage teams, supported by Masterclass. During this 6-week placement, you’ll develop essential skills in lighting, rigging and carpentry/stagecraft, with the flexibility to focus on your interests.
Key Information:
We particularly welcome and encourage candidates from backgrounds which are currently underrepresented in the offstage workforce.
Due to funding, preference will be given to candidates under 25* and residing in specific London boroughs (Barnet, Brent, Camden, City of London, Ealing, Hammersmith & Fulham, Harrow, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster). We will, however, consider all candidates.
* Applicants aged 30+ are welcome to apply if they have faced exceptional obstacles to progression.
We are currently recruiting for a Technical Theatre Apprentice to join our Technical & Production department on a full-time 24 month contract.
Glyndebourne Opera House is delighted to be launching a number of apprenticeships in backstage areas from January 2026 onwards. If you are looking for a practical route into the creative industries, working with industry experts at an internationally recognised Opera House then we may have the right opportunity for you.
An apprenticeship is a hands-on, paid, working role, learning all the skills required to work within an Opera or Theatre environment, fully equipping you to enter the industry after the fixed 2-year term. You will receive a nationally recognised (Creative Industries Production Technician) Level 3 apprenticeship qualification, along with working with some of the most eminent industry professionals in the country on world class Opera productions. You will be given 1 day per week to study and/or attend college, either remotely or in person.
Job Purpose
To learn and apply the skills of a multi-skilled technician, working in Lighting, Sound and Stage whilst studying the Level 3 Creative Industries Production Technician (Creative Venue Technician) Apprenticeship Standard in collaboration with Chichester College.
An Apprenticeship is an entry level paid employment position where you learn the required skills on the job from our professional team. You will be given 1 day per week to study and/or attend college, either remotely or in person.
The Assistant Production Manager is a Masters equivalent apprenticeship (Level 7 Creative Industries Production Management Apprenticeship) aimed at individuals who have already been working professionally in Theatre, Opera or Live events in a technical area for some time and who now want to move their career into Production Management.
As an Assistant Production Manager you will work alongside some of the most eminent industry professionals in the country, and with international creative teams, on world class Opera productions at Glyndebourne. This is a full time onsite role involving working some evenings and weekends when we are in production. You will be given 1 day a week to attend lectures, usually online, or to complete your coursework and portfolio for the final assessment. After the 2 year fixed term role you will be qualified and equipped to move into a career in Production or Technical Management.
Please note that this role is not suitable for recent graduates from Production and Stage Management degree courses.
Job Purpose
To assist the Production Managers in the technical delivery of shows and events, and to learn and apply the skills of a Production Manager, including technical realisation of creative concepts, management of onstage work, procurement, budget management and team collaboration, whilst studying a higher apprenticeship qualification with Chichester College.
This is a CPD opportunity for an existing professional in technical production to move into a production Management role, or a recent graduate who has the required experience. The role is for a fixed term of 24 months.
We are currently recruiting for a Wigs, Hair, Makeup and Prosthetics Technician Apprentice to join our Wigs, Hair & Makeup team on a full-time 24 month contract.
Glyndebourne Opera House is delighted to be launching a number of apprenticeships in backstage areas from January 2026 onwards. If you are looking for a practical route into the creative industries, working with industry experts at an internationally recognised Opera House then we may have the right opportunity for you.
An apprenticeship is a hands-on, paid, working role, learning all the skills required to work within an Opera or Theatre environment, fully equipping you to enter the industry after the fixed 2-year term. You will receive a nationally recognised (Wigs Hair, Makeup and Prosthetics Technician) Level 3 apprenticeship qualification, working alongside some of the most eminent industry professionals in the country on world class Opera productions. You will be given 1 day per week to study and/or attend college, either remotely or in person.
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:
Applicants Personal Qualities:
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:
Eligibility:
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.
These pathways are tailored for emerging Directors, Choreographers, Musical Directors, Designers, Lighting Designers, Stage Managers, Wardrobe Assistants and Technicians aged 16 to 23 who are in training or recently graduated from Higher Education.
Applications are open for 2025. There is £25 application fee which gives access to preparatory online sessions, offering skill building and group mentorship. Following these sessions you will have the opportunity to apply for a specific role on a production.
If you’re serious about a career in makeup artistry, our 4-Month Hair and Makeup Course is the perfect choice.
Led by award-winning makeup designers at CBMA Makeup Academy in London, this intensive, hands-on program covers everything from beauty makeup to special effects (SFX) techniques. You’ll work closely with industry professionals to master the essential skills needed for film, TV, and fashion. By the end of this course, you’ll be ready to create a wide range of looks, from classic beauty to intricate special effects, giving you the tools to launch your makeup artistry career.
