Masterclass and Sonia Friedman Productions are offering a paid Directing Internship on the London production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. This is an exceptional development opportunity for someone aiming to gain the necessary experience to become a Resident or Associate Director on large-scale commercial production. 

The Directing Intern will shadow and work closely with the Associate and Resident Directors across recast, technical and understudy rehearsals, learning how a show of this scale balances rehearsing new and continuing company members with maintaining the quality of the performances. 

Not sure what job this internship could lead to? Check out a full list of backstage careers here

Key Information: 

📅 Internship: 17 August 2026 – 18 October 2026 (with potential to extend part-time until the end of November)

🚀 Apply by: 9am, Monday 27 April

🎤 Interviews: Mid-May 

💰 Salary: Paid at London Living Wage 

📍Location: Based at the Palace Theatre, London (please note: no step-free access)

✍️ Contract Type: Fixed Term

Masterclass is inviting applications for a paidshort-term internship for an aspiring Stage Management professional with Sonia Friedman Productions, working on the production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in London’s West End. This is a hands-on opportunity for those interested in stage management to gain practical backstage experience during an exciting period as the production evolves from a two-part to a one-part show.

You’ll work full-time alongside the show’s Stage Management team across the Production's recast rehearsals, supported and trained by industry professionals. During this placement, you’ll develop essential skills in rehearsal support, props maintenance and show plots, while gaining insight into the running of a large-scale production.

Not sure what job this internship could lead to? Check out a full list of backstage careers here.

Key Information: 

📅 Internship: 17 August 2026 – 18 October 2026 (with potential extension)

🚀 Apply by: 9am, Monday 20 April

🎤 Interviews: TBC

💰 Salary: Paid at London Living Wage 

📍Location: Central London

✍️ Contract Type: Fixed Term 

⏰ Hours: Approx. 45 hours per week (Monday–Saturday, with occasional evenings)

Who can apply?

This internship is ideal for those looking to build a career in theatre stage management, particularly students in their final year of university or those with some practical experience in live events or productions. Professional experience is not required.

Masterclass is offering two paid internships with application deadlines in April.

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.

Masterclass is inviting applications for a paidshort-term internship for an aspiring Stage Management professional with Sonia Friedman Productions, working on the production of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child in London’s West End. This is a hands-on opportunity for those interested in stage management to gain practical backstage experience during an exciting period as the production evolves from a two-part to a one-part show.

For more information, and to learn how to apply, head to the opportunity link!

Is money stopping you from taking part in music, dance or drama?

NAYT grant music bursariesdance bursaries and drama bursaries, up to £1,000 each, to talented young people aged 12-25 who can’t afford to access opportunities in the arts. A bursary typically pays for a year’s part time dance, music or drama classes, and it can be used to cover some other expenses and costs too, including tuition fees at drama school.

They open applications for bursaries several times a year, and the next deadline is 3 June 2026. If you apply after this, we’ll consider your application in the next round. Sign up to their newsletter and they’ll keep you posted about future deadlines.

Mischief Comedy have just announced the next round of their workshops for professionals looking for CPD:

HOW TO APPROACH COMEDIC TEXT

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.

IMPROVISATION FOR ACTORS

Learn story structure and joke structure through long-form improvisation. We will teach participants how to build stories using emotional and character connection, encouraging ways of creating comedy without the need to “be funny”.

Join a Mischief founding member as they you through some of the fundamental principles used to create Mischief’s multi award-winning global hits The Play That Goes WrongPeter Pan Goes Wrong, the BBC TV series The Goes Wrong Show, and many more.

This course is designed for performers who are either currently working in, or about to enter, the performance industry.

For all the information, including available dates, head over to the opportunity link.

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

Wednesday 3 – Thursday 4 June 2026 | Alexandra Palace, London

The UK’s essential exhibition for theatre technicians, suppliers and live performance professionals. The ABTT Theatre Show brings together the specialist companies, expertise and networks that power theatre, performance and live events — all under one roof.

Discover new products, strengthen relationships, attend free seminars, workshops and reconnect with the people who make theatre happen.

The ABTT Theatre Show provides THE essential meeting point for our community – supporting our suppliers, service providers and networks with the opportunity both to renew existing relationships and to forge exciting new connections. Part of encouraging this conversation, collaboration, mentoring and training is the range of range of activities is presented over the two days, including a variety of meetings, debates and seminars.

As well as the opportunity to meet with organisations and professionals from the industry, the event offers a range of seminars and workshops on a range of topics to give you the skills you need to take out into your professional life.

Head over to the opportunity link to grab your FREE ticket.

ABOUT THE COURSE

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

APPLICATION DEADLINE

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

Read me aloud