Each week will have a unique theme designed to inspire and challenge young people through Performing Arts (drama, dance, and singing) and Creative Arts (art, crafts, drawing painting, puppetry and more). This journey will encourage them to explore and express their opinions, thoughts, and emotions while delving into various aspects of the world around them. Whether through acting, dance, music, or visual arts, they will be invited to interrogate and interpret a specific societal issue, cultural topic, or local and personal experience, using their creative talents as a tool for deeper understanding. During the course of the 3 week summer school, participants will be asked to engage with questions such as:
Through this process, they will not only hone their artistic skills but also gain a more profound connection to the world, questioning and reshaping the narratives that shape their lives and communities.
The week culminates in an exciting performance, where everyone can showcase the incredible work they’ve created. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to grow their confidence, make new friends, and be part of an amazing collective effort.
Book before the 17th April 2026 to receive £20 off per week
Mischief Comedy have just announced the next round of their workshops for professionals looking for CPD:
Unleash your inner Mischief Maker and dive into the world of comedic text with Mischief!
Led by a Mischief Member, this course takes you through the Mischief method of working with comedic text. Each week, you’ll explore key comedic techniques. From understanding the classic clown archetypes (Auguste, Bizarre, Naive) to mastering status dynamics, using scenes from Peter Pan Goes Wrong to help illustrate the power of status shifts in comedy. Alongside these core concepts, you’ll explore the art of masking, audience interaction, and the importance of timing, learning how to facilitate comedic moments even when you’re not delivering the punchline.
Each week, we’ll explore a new area of study, equipping participants with a diverse set of skills to deepen their understanding of comedic text brought to life in a supportive, playful environment, where making mistakes is part of the fun. Ideal for actors and performers looking to develop their confidence and ability to interpret and perform comedic text.
This course is ideal for aspiring performers currently in, or soon to be entering, the performance industry.
Unleash your inner Mischief Maker and dive into the world of comedic text with Mischief!
Led by a Mischief Member, this course takes you through the Mischief method of working with comedic text. Each week, you’ll explore key comedic techniques. From understanding the classic clown archetypes (Auguste, Bizarre, Naive) to mastering status dynamics, using scenes from Peter Pan Goes Wrong to help illustrate the power of status shifts in comedy. Alongside these core concepts, you’ll explore the art of masking, audience interaction, and the importance of timing, learning how to facilitate comedic moments even when you’re not delivering the punchline.
Each week, we’ll explore a new area of study, equipping participants with a diverse set of skills to deepen their understanding of comedic text brought to life in a supportive, playful environment, where making mistakes is part of the fun. Ideal for actors and performers looking to develop their confidence and ability to interpret and perform comedic text.
For all the information, including available dates, head over to the opportunity link.
With Emma Rice Company, The RSC and Belgrade Theatre Coventry.
Sound is one of the most powerful storytelling tools in theatre, and the sound team are key to the smooth delivery of this curious art form.
This practical technical course is designed for anyone who wants to learn how to run sound for live performance, whether you’re stepping into your first role as a sound technician or looking to build confidence in a production environment.
Across the course we’ll cover the core skills needed to operate sound in a theatre setting, from prep to performance. You’ll learn how to set up and run a modern digital mixing desk, including signal flow, patching, gain structure, EQ basics, routing, control groups and how to create a clean, reliable system that can survive the pressures of a live show. We’ll also explore QLab, teaching you how to build and organise a cue list, trigger cues safely, and manage sound playback with confidence. You’ll be guided through how to mark up a script properly for sound operation: identifying cues, writing clear notes, and developing the discipline of following the action of the show. We’ll also cover first-line troubleshooting, so you’re prepared to solve common problems quickly, from faulty cables and to radio dropouts and unexpected feedback. Radio mic handling will be included too, fitting radios, mic placement, basic backstage etiquette, and maintaining equipment during a run. By the end of the course you’ll have practical skills, real-world workflow, and the confidence to step into a theatre sound role and really start learning.
Please note that while preference will be given to applicants with a Midlands postcode, applications are welcomed from across the country. The course will be based at The Belgrade Theatre in Coventry and on this occasion, we are unable to offer any accommodation or travel subs.
ove theatre and want to learn more about what happens behind the scenes? Apply to join us for our very first Technical Summer Academy, running Mon 24 Aug - Fri 28 Aug. This will be a unique opportunity to explore the backstage world with our in‑house technical teams and visiting leading industry professionals, getting hands-on experience in stage, sound, lighting, projection, automation and rigging.
Across five hands‑on days, you’ll take part in practical workshops covering stage, sound, lighting, projection, automation and rigging, building real experience in the essential disciplines that bring productions to life.
The week culminates in a collaborative showcase in our brand‑new studio venue, The Nest, created with support from our technical team.
You’ll also get the rare chance to shadow our backstage teams on this year’s summer musical, My Fair Lady, learning how we deliver large‑scale productions.
If you’re interested in taking part in our Technical Summer Academy, please send a CV and covering letter (or video) to recruitment@cft.org.uk by 10pm on Sunday 19 April.
We are looking for 12 enthusiastic 18-30 year‑olds who are passionate about technical theatre. You don’t need qualifications or prior experience; just curiosity, commitment and the desire to explore a backstage career. We are committed to equal opportunities and welcome applicants from all backgrounds.
If you have any questions about the application process or how the week will work, please email recruitment@cft.org.uk.
The course fee is £100, which will include lunch. Bursaries are available so cost should never be a barrier to applying.
Accommodation and travel expenses can be covered for those who are more than 45 miles from the theatre.
Emma Rice Company Training Programme is offering a unique opportunity for theatre makers aged 18+. The theatre maker taster is a free, day-long workshop.
In this practical workshop members of our Malory Towers show team will introduce participants to the Emma Rice Company method. You will play games, learn songs and devise. You will experience first-hand how Emma Rice Company builds an ensemble and creates their critically acclaimed shows.
Actors, singers, musicians, dancers, directors, acrobats, clowns, and theatre-makers are all invited to apply. You don’t need loads of experience, but you do need to be a confident performer.
The Emma Rice Company is one of the UK’s leading ensemble theatre companies, and our performing ensemble is a vital, professional and playful part of the family. Our Training Programme runs workshops and courses to inspire the next generation of theatre makers.
At Emma Rice Company, we actively encourage people from a variety of backgrounds with different experiences, skills, and stories to join us and influence our work. We know that people who are D/deaf disabled or neurodiverse, from the global majority and / or from a lower socio-economic background are under-represented in the theatre industry. Therefore, if someone identifies as having one or multiple of these protected characteristics, we are particularly interested in meeting them.
Please note as Emma Rice Company offers this workshop around the country, preference will be given to local artists. We consider our taster as being an ideal way to connect with regional artists that we wouldn’t normally get the opportunity to meet.
Dates & Venues
Friday 8th May - Theatre Royal Bath
Friday 15th May - Belgrade Theatre
Wednesday 20th May - Brighton Festival
Friday 29th May - Leeds Playhouse
Friday 12th June - Manchester Home
Wednesday 17th June - Liverpool Playhouse
Friday 17th July - Yvonne Arnaud
Thursday 30th July - Alexandra Palace
Theatre Royal Bath - 10th April
Belgrade Theatre - 10th April
Brighton Festival - 10th April
Leeds Playhouse - 16th May
Manchester Home - 30th April
Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse - 5th May
Yvonne Arnaud - 4th June
Alexandra Palace - 17th June
Taking place from Tuesday 7th April – Friday 10th April 2026, the programme runs daily from 10:00am until approximately 3:00pm and offers students aged 14–18 an engaging and practical insight into the many careers that exist behind the scenes in theatre.
This will be a fun and inspiring week hosted across various theatres in the West End. Across the four days, students will explore key areas of theatre-making including:
The programme provides hands-on workshops, industry insight, and the opportunity to meet professionals working across the creative industries.
As part of the experience, students will also have the opportunity to see Paddington The Musical on the Thursday afternoon, following their participation in the weeks sessions, offering a valuable chance to connect their learning with a live West End production.
This programme is ideal for students interested in Drama, Performing Arts, Design, Technical Theatre, or those curious about creative industry career pathways beyond performing.
Course fees start at £120.
This demanding and highly practical course will help you to develop and craft your audition skills.
The course is aimed at all experience levels, particularly those thinking about applying to drama school, but may also be of interest to those who want to explore a specific piece of performance text.
Course Content
This three-day course is designed to train and prepare you for acting auditions. Over the three days you will:
Please head to the opportunity link to read more about how to prepare and any materials you need to bring along to the course.
Our introductory training course covering HDTV, film and theatre makeup and hair, along with hairdressing and barbering techniques.
Learn the essential skills you need to carve out a career as a professional makeup artist with our Foundation Certificate course. You’ll cover all the areas that you need to start your journey as a makeup and hair artist capable of working on film, TV and theatre productions.
Throughout this full time 14 week course you’ll gain an understanding of the key skills required by any makeup artist, from understanding the basics of makeup application, to creating inspired period and character looks and gory special effects. This course also includes experience working with facial hair application, body painting and basic barbering.
Our course tutors are extremely passionate about their industry, and you will learn from their endless knowledge. They have many years’ experience working on some of the best known films and TV productions in recent years. They will introduce you to the latest products and techniques that are relevant to today’s industry, so you can be sure you will be learning from the best.
Holidays of one to four weeks may be scheduled during your course at appropriate times and, therefore, the duration of your time with us could last from 15 to 18 weeks.
