Scratch My Progress is the Oh Yeah Music Centre’s flagship annual talent development programme.
It is supported by PRS Foundation, Arts Council of Northern Ireland and Belfast City Council.
Each year we recruit 4-5 emerging artists from Northern Ireland onto a structured and dedicated scheme of work that supports the creation, performance and promotion of their work. The programme is guided by our dedicated talent development specialist, Charlene Hegarty and builds a system of ‘real world’ experience and support around artists at pivotal stages of their career development.
The support offered includes mentoring, one to one meetings with industry experts, and workshops on everything from vocal coaching, songwriting, funding and festival applications, copyright & IP management and developing skills in managing finances.
As part of the 9-month programme each act will gain free rehearsal space, recording time, PR and marketing support and training, a professional photoshoot and a biography writing session as we prepare for an official release as part of the programme.
The theme for our summer programme this year is Books and Story Telling!
We will take inspiration from Oscar Wilde’s sparkling comedy, The Importance of Being Earnest. Participants will be encouraged to explore the play’s themes of mistaken identity, love, and social conventions, and use these ideas to create their own performances.
Through lively workshops and creative exploration, they will devise unique theatre pieces that capture Wilde's wit and charm, bringing his timeless satire to life on stage.
Taught by a team of professional facilitators, this course is perfect for those studying Drama/Performing arts for GCSE and A level.
At the end of the week, family and friends will have the opportunity to join us for a sharing of their work, showcased in the Naughton Theatre.
Dates: Monday 18 – Saturday 23 August
Develop your skills, meet new friends and have some fun in Derby Theatre's fantastic Summer School!
Participants will grow their abilities as actors and creatives, working together as a team to create a brand new performance over the course of the week, with a production showcase at the end of the week.
Family and friends can come along to a showcase of the performance created during the week.
Half price and full bursaries are available, subject to availability.
Monday 11 - Friday 15 August, 2025
Pricing
How can creativity engage learners and reintroduce joy to your teaching practice?
Join us for Playful Spaces, a one-day learning event for educators, theatre-makers and creative practitioners who want to reimagine how young people learn.
Hosted by Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation, this innovative day of workshops, masterclasses and conversations will give you practical tools to energise your teaching and transform your learning environment.
Work alongside leading theatre-makers and education experts to:
Date and time: Saturday 12 July 2025, 9:30AM
Are you aged 16 to 21? Do you live in Lambeth or Southwark? Are you interested in Production and Technical Theatre? Do you want to learn about Backstage roles within Theatre this summer?
If this sounds like something you are interested in, our application form to join our Backstage Bootcamp is now LIVE!
This week-long programme will introduce you to the world of theatre production, focusing on lighting, sound design, set construction, costume design, and stage management. Working alongside the Young Vic’s production team, you will gain hands-on experience to develop a deeper understanding of career pathways in technical theatre. This programme will be a combination of talks and practical hands-on activities.
An insight into our weeklong programme:
Gain hands-on experience across various areas of theatre production.
Learn about the daily operations of a professional theatre while developing your technical skills through practical sessions.
Take part in workshops covering Sound, Lighting, Costume, Props, Set Construction, Scenic Design, and Stage Management.
A networking opportunity with technical theatre industry professionals.
The opportunity to have 1 day of shadowing in Production after completing the programme.
When:
Monday 11 August – Friday 15 August
10:30-17:00 at the Young Vic Theatre.
We will be providing travel reimbursement and lunch for this weeklong programme.
You can apply by:
Filling out the application form in the link below.
A phone conversation with a member of our team - please text our Taking Part phone number on 07562 39311 to arrange a call
A voice note responding to the questions on the application form
Our phone line is open Monday-Friday from 10am – 6pm.
Deadline: Tuesday 1 July at 10am
Our recruitment phonecalls will take place the week commencing Monday 7 July.
If you would like to have a conversation about this role before applying, please call our Taking Part phone 07562 393 311 to speak with our Participation Producer. This line is open Monday-Friday between 10am-6pm.
Ludlow Song are looking for young composers, aged 16 to 25, who are facing financial barriers to their musical practice, to take part in a free, expenses-paid workshop with leading composer and teacher Professor Julian Philips in September this year.
The workshop is an opportunity to explore English song: music for voice and piano with text in the English language.
The workshop is an opportunity for young composers to meet each other and the Ludlow Song team, including Artistic Director Iain Burnside. We hope that at least one participant will be offered a paid commission for Ludlow English Song Weekend 2026, with support to attend the festival in Shropshire next April.
The workshop is generously supported by the Gerald Finzi Trust, and the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire.
Our week long summer school is a great opportunity to learn new skills, meet friends and perform on the Hope Mill stage
Students not only experience singing, dancing and acting classes, but they will take part in craft and cooking sessions too.
Fully funded and part funded places are available.
Cost: £252
2025 Dates: 11 - 15 August
Join WEST Youth Zone: Creative Collective
Aged 13-19? Are you interested in scriptwriting, spoken word poetry, performing and acting? Want to brush up on your acting technique, build your confidence and meet new people?
Every Friday from 5-10pm @ WEST Youth Zone White City we are offering dedicated workshops to our ‘Creative Collective’.
Become a member of WEST Youth Zone for just £5 annual membership and 50p per entry, you’ll unlock a place where you can make new friends, dive into 20+ fun activities a night, relax in a chilled space or try something new. You can also enjoy a tasty hot meal for just £1 in our BiteCity Café!
WEST is open to young people aged 8 – 19 (up to 25 with additional needs) from all backgrounds, for all abilities, and all across West London and beyond, so come and join WEST – Where Everyone Sticks Together!
Let’s meet on the green and see who we might bump into…
Join Trestle this summer as we find a way to pass the sunny days with our mates and whoever else we might stumble upon.
Using Trestle’s iconic masks the week will end with an outdoor site specific performance to make the most of St Albans green spaces.
Costs: £140pp, £5 early drop off from 9am per day. £5 late pick up until 4pm per day.
Dates: Monday 11 August - Friday 15 August 2025
Times: 10am – 3pm each day, sharing from 3pm – 3.30pm on Friday.
We hope the Studio will be a home for playwrights of all levels of experience, helping us to connect and making a range of opportunities accessible in a joined-up, sustained writing package.
If you become a member of the Studio (it’s completely free!) you can access:
