Radical Body Arts are offering micro grants for disabled creatives who are facing barriers in their career due to financial hardship. Each grant includes £500 flexible funding, £200 equipment budget, and £200 access budget, and they’re designed to give you some breathing space to focus on your creative work.
APPLICATIONS ARE NOW OPEN FOR BOLD MAKERS 2026.
YOU HAVE THREE WEEKS TO APPLY.
APPLICATIONS WILL CLOSE AT MIDNIGHT ON 6TH MAY.
BOLD MAKERS will support three theatre companies working across devising, site-specific work, and physical theatre. Each selected company will be paired with a specialist mentor to support the development of new work.
These mentors are
@toldbyanidiot
@inbedwithmybro
@danteordie
This award is designed to facilitate emerging theatre companies in the development of a new piece of work at an early stage of development. We are looking for all kinds of devising companies, perhaps those who make site specific work, physical theatre groups or those playing with form.
We have 2 set weeks of space available for companies. These are the 22nd -28th June and the 20th - 26th July. Please make sure you are free on BOTH these weeks before you apply.
N.B At this time we will not be accepting applications from solo artists.
The 3 final companies will receive:
* Sessions with a mentor who specialises in the relevant field.
* £1000 for each company.
* 2 weeks of rehearsal space with a sharing for all three companies at the end of the final week.
* Each sharing will be filmed by a videographer.
* A performance at BOLD later in the year.
Do you want to turn your creative ideas into real projects and learn how culture, events and creative initiatives are actually developed and delivered?
Royalties London is a development programme for young people who want to work seriously with creativity, culture and project development.
The programme is designed for emerging creatives, cultural practitioners, and project-minded individuals who want to move from inspiration to practical experience and gain insight into how creative ideas become real initiatives.
Royalties London offers practical insight into how cultural and creative projects are developed, organised and brought to life. The programme combines inspiration with practical experience.
Participants will work together to develop concepts and translate them into projects that can be realised in practice.
During the programme you will:
The programme runs over approximately six months with one full-day workshop each month, followed by a final event. All sessions take place will take place from 9am to 5pm on Thursdays. Dates are subject to change.
The final event will be conceptualised, produced, and delivered by participants in collaboration with London Heritage Quarter.
Applications are now open for PROJEKT EMPOWER - our mentorship program for migrant theatre makers based in the UK.
We match 10 emerging migrant artists with the country’s most successful migrant theatre makers and empower them to become leading creative change makers of the future.
✨ This year's incredible mentors are:
Aline David
Amit Lahav
Gabby Wong
Inua Ellams
Joel Tan
Jordan Fein
Moi Tran
Myanna Buring
Nadi Kemp-Sayfi
Robin Belfield
Head over to our website for more information on the mentors and how to apply.
📍Deadline for applications is midnight 29th April 2026!
How does it work?
We will match 10 emerging artists with 10 of the UK’s most successful migrant theatre makers, and
guide them through a six-month period of one-to-one and group meetings, culminating in an
in-person celebration in London in November 2026 for the full cohort of 20 artists.
With school holidays offering many young people the opportunity to take part in creative activities, it’s often a time when interests grow, and future ambitions begin to take shape.
Whether a young person is already engaged in the arts or just starting to explore, there are many different pathways into a career in the creative industries. However, for many families, these routes can feel unclear or uncertain.
Recent research from Netflix and the National Youth Theatre found that 89% of parents from working-class backgrounds would be unlikely to encourage their child to pursue a career in the creative industries. Building understanding and confidence among parents and carers is an important step in helping more young people feel supported in exploring these opportunities.
Parents Unscripted is a new series from Discover! Creative Careers, created in collaboration with organisations across the creative industries. The series shares the perspectives of parents whose children now work in the sector, offering honest reflections on their journeys.
We’re proud to have collaborated on one of the films in the series, developed alongside Discover! Creative Careers and the National Theatre. In this film, Angela Jumbo, mother of actor and playwright Cush Jumbo, reflects on her child’s journey into the industry and shares her perspective as a parent.
You can watch the other films in the series here!
We know that when parents and carers feel more confident about creative careers, it can make a real difference to a young person’s ability to pursue them.
By sharing these stories, Parents Unscripted aims to open up conversations, challenge misconceptions, and highlight the many routes available across the creative industries.
We encourage teachers, industry professionals and partners to share these films with their networks, whether through newsletters, social media, or conversations with young people and their families.
Helping more families understand the opportunities available in the creative industries is a vital step in supporting the next generation of talent.
Find out more about Discover! Creative Careers here.
Find out more about the National Theatre Skills Centre here.
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.
Not sure what job this internship could lead to? Check out a full list of backstage careers here.
Key Information:
📅 Internship: 15 June 2026 – 13 September 2026.
🚀 Apply by: 9am, Monday 20 April
🎤 Interviews: Mid-May
💰 Salary: Paid at London Living Wage
📍Location: Based at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, SW1Y
✍️ Contract Type: Fixed Term
Who can apply?
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.
Perfect for anyone aged 18+ interested in acting for screen.
This two-day course will introduce you to the techniques and skills required for acting in film and television. Learn key techniques including how to prepare for a scene, be present and how to connect with your scene partner, to give authentic and truthful performances.
You can expect to: Explore the differences between acting for stage and screen; Learn how to analyse a scene quickly and accurately; How to prepare for a scene; Work on short, scripted scenes; Learn about visual storytelling; Draw on your own life experience using the mindset technique; Utilize your imagination to bring an inner life to characters; Develop your confidence in front of a camera.
Some preparation work including reading and learning short, scripted scenes, will be required as part of the course.
Dates: Sat 18 – Sun 19 Jul 2026
Cost: £285
Deadline to book: 5pm, Friday 3 July 2026
Perfect for anyone aged 17+ who has an interest in acting and would be interested in applying for Drama School or an equivalent programme. It is also open to actors who are interested in improving their general audition technique.
Whether you are interested in developing a speech for drama school or university or just generally improving your audition technique, this two-day course will give you an insight and introduction into the tools you need to succeed.
You will look at: How to choose a speech and what to look for; Practical exercises that can be used to unlock the speech and enhance understanding; Discussion on the audition environment and techniques to encourage relaxation and readiness; Tips and techniques to bring the speech to life.
You will be expected to engage in practical tasks on the speeches that you bring to the course to work on. The atmosphere will be informal and welcoming. You will need to choose a Shakespeare speech and a modern speech that you connect with in advance of the course.
Dates: Sat 1 – Sun 2 Aug 2026
Cost: £285
Deadline to book: 5pm, Friday 3 July 2026
Perfect for anyone aged 14 to 17 with an interest in creative writing. No experience is required, just interest and enthusiasm.
Put pen to paper, let your imagination roam free and conjure your creativity with this new two-day course, led by London writer Annie Hayter.
Working with Annie, you will explore a range of literary texts including poetry and fiction, and will use artwork, photographs and songs to inspire your own creative writing. You will learn to draft and develop your own stories and explore the best ways to present, perform and publish them.
Maybe you want to write about your pet goose Doris, an imagined day in the life of your favourite popstar or whatever is important to you, this course will be a warm and open space for you to freely express yourself and delve into the depths of your imagination.
Dates: Sat 18 – Sun 19 Jul 2026
Cost: £230
Deadline to book: 5pm, Friday 3 July 2026
Work experience offers practical, hands-on insight into the theatre industry, helping you build skills, confidence, and a clearer understanding of different career pathways. It’s an ideal first step when exploring a future in theatre. As an initial step, we recommend getting in contact with your local theatre to see if they offer any work experience opportunities.
While many people associate theatre careers with performing, there are a huge number of offstage roles that make productions possible. From stage management and lighting to marketing, producing, costume, sound, and technical theatre, work experience allows you to explore these departments and discover which areas interest you most. Taking part in work experience placements can provide a range of valuable benefits, including:
Understanding How Theatres Work:
Working within a theatre environment allows you to see how different departments collaborate to bring a production to life. This perspective is incredibly valuable if you're considering a career in the sector.
Developing Practical Theatre Skills:
Work experience often gives you the chance to assist with real tasks, whether that’s supporting technical teams, observing rehearsals, helping front-of-house teams, or working with marketing and administration departments.
Building Confidence and Professional Skills:
Being part of a professional environment helps you develop communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills that are essential across the creative industries.
Making Connections in the Theatre Industry:
The theatre industry is highly collaborative. Work experience placements can introduce you to professionals working in the field and help you begin building a network within the industry.
Strengthening Future Applications:
Whether you're applying for drama school, university courses, apprenticeships, or entry-level roles, work experience demonstrates enthusiasm, initiative, and commitment to the sector.
Many theatres and arts organisations across the UK offer work experience placements, shadowing opportunities, and youth programmes. Availability and application processes vary, but the following organisations regularly provide opportunities for young people interested in theatre careers:
London
South of England
Midlands
North of England
North of England
Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland
You may also want to check the websites of theatres local to you, as many venues offer placements throughout the year or during school holidays.
Work experience is one of the most valuable ways to begin exploring opportunities in theatre. It provides a clearer understanding of how productions are created and how different departments work together behind the scenes.
Whether your interests lie in technical theatre, production, stage management, marketing, or theatre administration, gaining offstage experience is an excellent way to start your journey in the industry.
