Calling all theatre makers, writers and performers. We’re looking for submissions of new or work-in-development pieces for our upcoming Scratch Night, a relaxed, supportive evening where artists can test out ideas, share work in progress, and receive valuable audience feedback.
We welcome applications from creatives at any stage of their career and are especially keen to hear from local or underrepresented voices in the arts.
Work should be no longer than 10 minutes, require only basic technical support, and be suitable for performance in the Court Room at The Old Town Hall, Trowbridge.
The event will take place on the evening of Friday 21st November 2025.
Selected pieces will receive a £150 fee, rehearsal time in the space, and the chance to perform in a supportive environment.
We are looking for emerging theatre directors based outside London to join Headlong Origins 2026, our year-long artist development programme supporting directors across the UK.
Running January–December 2026, this part-time scheme is designed to fit around your work and help you take the next step toward main-stage directing. It offers a blend of artistic support, mentoring, and practical experience with Headlong’s productions and creative processes. You’ll become part of a small cohort of directors and given the opportunity to explore and develop your own individual practices as a director with the support of your peers and the Headlong team. Across the year, you’ll also connect with our partner organisations, and guest artists, and be able to immerse yourselves in the day to day working of a national touring theatre company.
‘Creative Wellbeing’ – the title seems self-explanatory, but when does it get taught? Talked about? Not only will this workshop examine ways in which we can nurture our stress as artists, but will also look at how to identify and advocate for your boundaries - both in process and practice. What comes after you’ve said “no”? How does creative risk continue? You will be practically exploring exactly that. Other topics may include neurodiversity, burnout and supporting others. Creative Wellbeing aims to give young people aged 14-21 the language and confidence to create theatre healthily, honestly and unbound.
Nimax Theatres are looking for a Theatre Operations Trainee as part of Good Chance’s Stage Door programme, a professional development opportunity open specifically to individuals who have a background of seeking sanctuary with lived experience of forced displacement.
You will join a team of Theatre Operations Supervisors with the aim of developing the skills and experience required to step into a supervisory role. Throughout a 12-week training program, you will receive hands-on training and mentorship to build your ability to manage the Front of House and Bar teams, ensuring exceptional customer service, operational efficiency, and a safe, welcoming environment. These transferable skills are recognised across the theatre industry and will provide an excellent basis for a future career in house management in any theatre or venue environment.
Nimax and Good Chance are looking for people who already have a strong foundation of experience in theatre operations, and who are excited to continue developing these skills within a supportive professional environment.
Candidates must have the right to work in this type of role in the UK.
Are you a Wandsworth woman of Caribbean heritage interested in learning more about playwriting? Read on, this could be for you!
Wave Writers is a series of free, playwriting workshops for local women from African and Caribbean backgrounds launching this October at Arches Lane Theatre.
We invite you to have fun while getting creative, learning some new skills, and making new friends.
Local playwright Zakiyyah Deen will lead our meetings, creating a supportive, social environment as we craft stories celebrating African and Caribbean culture. All levels of experience are welcome.
After our four session, Zakiyyah will write a short play inspired by all we've shared. We'll meet up in November to read the play on our mainstage. Fun times!
8, 15, 22 & 29 October 7:00pm - 9:30pm
Can't make all the sessions? Not to worry; join us for the ones you can.
We’re looking to recruit 11 Youth Forum members and appoint a Youth Forum Chair…
We are reaching out to ask you to share an exciting opportunity with all creative and enthusiastic young people you work with, aged 18 to 30.
Our charity, dedicated to enriching young lives through theatre, is recruiting for a Youth Forum offering young people valuable, hands-on experience in arts governance, leadership, and accessibility.
We believe these voluntary roles would be a perfect complement to their studies and professional goals in the arts, education, or non-profit sectors. They present a chance for them to help shape the future direction of our charity. No previous theatre experience is needed - just commitment and passion!
We are looking for 11 members who have an interest in theatre and the performing arts to:
We are also seeking one exceptional individual for this vital dual role - it’s perfect for someone looking to:
Are you a disabled artist based in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales wanting to make an international connection or collaboration? Then this info and mixer session is for you!
We’re running two online information and mixer sessions for disabled artists in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales who are interested in creating work with artists from other countries (full list coming soon).
What you'll get from the session:
The British Council Micro Awards will support disabled artists to develop international collaborations online. If you’re thinking about working internationally, this session will help you understand the opportunities and process.
Who’s this event for?
You should join this event if you:
The sessions will have BSL and captioning.
When booking your place we’ll ask you to tell us about any additional access requirements you may have. We’d appreciate it if you could let us know at least a week before the event so that we can do our best to ensure that all access provision is in place.
Applications are now OPEN to join the 2026 cohort of SPRINGBOARD.
Springboard is our free training programme that aims to find, shape, inspire, champion and sustain the next generation of performers from underrepresented backgrounds.
This groundbreaking programme is a performance pathway into employment designed specifically to support young people aged 18-25yrs who live in West London, have zero to little formal drama training and are currently underrepresented in theatre.
Each year, 10 new trainees are enrolled in the programme, benefitting from a bursary that will support them while they take part in a wide range of development initiatives including performances, workshops, masterclasses, artist development and opportunities both on and off the stage.
Trainees receive hundreds of engagement opportunities over their attachment to the Lyric. They learn from leading industry practitioners in masterclasses led by Main House directors; Lyric Artistic Associates Nina Steiger, Tinuke Craig, Tanika Gupta, Philip McMahon and Good Teeth; and the Lyric’s Associate Director Nicholai La Barrie and Artistic Director Rachel O’Riordan.
Submissions are now OPEN for the second year of the Bill Cashmore Award: One Act Play Prize
The Bill Cashmore Award, presented by Young Lyric, offers a paid opportunity for two new one-act plays by writers aged 18-30, to be professionally produced at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. The two winning plays will run as a double bill and will be performed by the Lyric’s Springboard trainee actors in Autumn 2026.
The two successful writers will:
We particularly welcome submissions from those who are underrepresented in theatre and/or situated in areas culturally underserved. Please see our FAQs for more details.
Elemental is our exciting artist development programme, supporting early-career artists in developing their craft, expanding their industry insight and strengthening their practice. Our applications for our 2026 cohort are now open.
Over the course of a year, Elemental artists gain hands-on experience working on a Watermill production, connect with leading industry professionals and benefit from networking and ongoing professional development opportunities
Our first cohort of artists have had first-hand experience working alongside the creative team on Watermill productions through the year, including The King’s Speech, Pinocchio, Piaf and Jesus Christ Superstar. Beyond the Watermill, the programme has exposed Elemental artists to unique opportunities and cultivated meaningful connections within the wider sector, including shadowing the lighting designer for Starlight Express, meeting Elle While Pentabus’ Artistic Director and observing technical rehearsals for My Neighbour Totoro.
Elemental is a paid programme, with support for travel and access costs to help remove barriers for participating artists.
We welcome artists from all theatre disciplines, including Lighting and Sound, Movement Directors, Set or Costume Designers and Musical Directors.
Elemental is now entering its second year and applications are now open. Please apply by 5pm Monday 27 October and see the application pack below for further information on the programme and how to apply.
