Applications are now open for work placements in the Scenic Art department at the National Theatre.

These two-week placements are for those studying, or recently graduated from, a Scenic Art or other relevant higher education course and looking for work experience in this field. Please note:

Placements will take place between April 2026 and March 2027.
Placements are not paid, but travel and food expenses will be covered.
This is an opportunity for people aged 18+.

As part of your application, please upload a CV, covering letter explaining why you are applying for this placement, and a short portfolio of your work. If you have any questions or if you would like to submit an application via an alternative format, please contact one of the Skills Centre team at skillscentre@nationaltheatre.org.uk who can offer guidance on how to do this.

Step behind the stage with this immersive six-month traineeship, gaining hands-on production experience and learning how world-class innovative shows are brought to life.

The Royal Court Theatre is internationally-recognised as the UK’s leading theatre for new work, with a 70-year commitment to developing and championing talent on and off stage. Each year it nurtures hundreds of emerging practitioners through structured development, placements and learning programmes – supporting them all the way through to professional debuts and major productions. 

Its mission is defined by taking risks on stages – inspiring audiences, artists and communities, and empowering new and diverse voices to drive forward national culture and public conversation. Every year Royal Court reaches over 100,000 people between its two theatres, touring productions and youth and community projects. Coming at an exciting time during its 70th Anniversary, this traineeship ensures both practical learning and a real dose of inspiration and excitement for someone new to the industry.

This production traineeship provides a supported, developmental role in our busy world-class backstage theatre teams – including opportunities to build to professional credits, and gain insights into future career pathways in theatre. Throughout the traineeship, the successful candidate will undertake supervised, developmental tasks that build confidence in rehearsal support, technical periods and performances, giving direct insight and hands-on experience into how plays are developed, rehearsed and staged in a world-leading contemporary theatre. There will also be opportunities to work alongside globally renowned artists, brand new writers and youth participants. The six-month traineeship will follow a structured timeline to support learning and development, potentially as follows:

• Months 1-2: Learning through practice, shadowing, and supervised contributions at the heart of our teams
• Months 3-4: Taking on more guided responsibilities and ownership of smaller, defined tasks on each production
• Month 5: Opportunities for short tailored placements across other departments of interest to the trainee, potentially including our producing, venue management, operations and marketing & communications teams
• Month 6: Taking on stage management responsibilities for festival presentations and readings in our September 2026 Open Submissions Festival in a supported environment, securing professional credits as an outcome

Key activities

• Supporting rehearsals, including setting up and maintaining rehearsal rooms, props and equipment
• Sourcing and adapting props
• Creating and updating relevant production paperwork
• Attending key production meetings and assisting with follow-up tasks
• Supporting deputy stage managers in managing rehearsal rooms, including wellbeing and pastoral care for rehearsal companies
• Observing and assisting fit-ups, set builds, and technical rehearsals
• Shadowing and supporting stage managers during technical rehearsals and running shows
• Helping backstage before and during performances, including company check-ins and wellbeing support
• Connecting with wider departments through optional placements across the organisation based on the candidate’s interests

What you will gain

• A clear understanding of professional production and stage management workflows, and the careers in these fields
• Enhanced confidence in rehearsal-room support, from wellbeing and inclusion for new and diverse artists to professional standards expected of world-leading talent
• First-hand experience of technical and performance periods
• Insight into the artistic and logistical processes of producing new theatre, and wider career pathways and opportunities across the UK theatre sector
• Clear, demonstrable evidence of work in a professional theatre environment and specific credits for your CV
• Build a meaningful professional network via introductions to creative teams, freelancers and partner organisations

What we are looking for

• No formal training is required but some experience or transferable skills that relate to stage management, theatre or backstage theatre are desirable
• A passion and genuine interest for theatre, stage management and backstage theatre, with an interest in exploring future pathways and careers within these
• Strong communication and organisational skills
• Curiosity and willingness to learn
• A positive flexible approach to working, with the possibility of some evening and weekends as required

Homegrown is Nottingham Playhouse’s pre-professional theatre artist programme, designed to support young adults who are keen to work professionally in the theatre industry.

What is Homegrown Performers 2026?

A professional rehearsal process leading up to a Studio theatre performance in July. Following a weekly rehearsal schedule, you will be offered professional direction at Nottingham Playhouse.

You will also have access to:
• 1-2-1 meetings with industry experts.
• Production photographs.
• Discounted access to wider participation programme (Playhouse Insights, Masterclasses, other opportunities where available.)

Who is Homegrown Performers for?

You must be aged 18 – 30, hard working and passionate about performing in theatre.
Whether you are leaving further education and wanting to gain experience of a professional rehearsal and performance process directed by practising artists, returning from drama school or university and wanting to build professional relationships whilst gaining acting credits, or if you are considering a career in performance and want to explore this in an inclusive and welcoming environment, Homegrown could be for you.

Take your creative practice to the next level with a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) at RWCMD – Wales’ national conservatoire in Cardiff. Their two-year MFA courses stand out in the UK for their specialist, industry-focused training with direct links to the creative industries.

You’ll study in small, supportive cohorts, work alongside leading professionals, and graduate with the skills, experience and industry connections to launch your career.

· MFA in Directing (Theatre, Opera & Musical Theatre)

· MFA in Movement Direction

· MFA in Voice, Speech & Text Coaching

· MFA in Writing Drama

Join their online webinar on Thursday 19 February, from 4-5pm, for more information!

Emma Rice Company are looking for a brilliant Technical Trainee to join the 2026 UK tour of Malory Towers as part of our Training Programme. This is a paid development opportunity for an emerging theatre technician who is keen to learn across multiple technical departments within a supportive, ensemble-led touring environment.

The Technical Trainee will work closely with the Stage Management, Sound, Lighting and Wardrobe teams, gaining hands-on experience of professional touring practice. 

This role is designed to support departments while learning, with responsibilities and opportunities shaped around the Trainee’s experience and development goals.

The Trainee will join during rehearsals, ahead of technical rehearsals and previews, allowing for a supported introduction to the production and touring processes. The Trainee will be employed for every UK touring week.

Our Trainee will have access to mentoring for up to a year after the paid Traineeship. 

Line Management: The Head of Production and Company Manager are accountable for the Technical Trainee. Other support will be provided by our Head of Training and Participation Producer, with regular check-ins to reflect on learning and development throughout the process.

This is a paid traineeship and forms part of the Emma Rice Company Training Programme.

National Youth Arts Wales (NYAW) is delighted to announce FREE Folk & Jazz Discovery Days taking place across Wales this March, offering young musicians aged 14–22 the chance to find their sound! 

Designed for musicians of Grade 4 and above, these one-day workshops provide a fun, inclusive and supportive environment to experience folk and jazz music with other musicians.  

Produced by founding member of Welsh Folk group Calan, Angharad Jenkins, and led by experienced tutors, the Discovery Days will introduce participants to the foundations of folk and jazz through practical workshops, group playing and creative exploration, ending the day with an informal sharing to parents and carers. 

National Youth Arts Wales would like to encourage musicians of all traditional music backgrounds to take part in the Discovery Days this March – whether your background is Welsh Folk, or any other world music tradition, these sessions will be fun for all! 

You’ve written your story – congratulations! But what now? There’s a wealth of options for authors, as well as a huge array of information out there to pile through.

In this four week course, we’ll be walking you through the fundamentals of getting your writing published in a variety of different areas as well as some of the ways you can earn money from your fiction.

Week 1 – Getting Short Stories Published
Week 2 – Getting a Literary Agent
Week 3 – An Introduction to Self-Publishing
Week 4 – Making a Living as a Writer

Additional Information:

• Four Thursdays from 19 March 6:30pm - 8:00pm.

How to book:

• Book your ticket by clicking the linked opportunity.

Get an exclusive peek behind the curtains at Lawrence Batley Theatre on this in-person backstage tour!

Young people with an interest in theatre are invited to an exclusive backstage tour at Huddersfield’s iconic venue. This is a rare chance to explore the hidden spaces audiences never see and learn how live performances are brought to life.

You’ll get:

• A guided tour of backstage areas, dressing rooms and technical spaces
• Insight into technical aspects such as lighting and sound
• A chance to ask questions and hear about careers in theatre and the creative industries
• A behind-the-scenes look at how a professional theatre works day to day

Whether you’re thinking about a future in theatre or just curious about how it all works, this tour offers an inspiring introduction to life behind the curtain.

How to book:

• Book your place by clicking the linked opportunity.

Free creative writing workshops for Autistic writers aged 18+ in the North of England (Derby and Nottingham included).

Join Gemma Lees and Via MacNab for a series of twice-a-month creative writing workshops. Workshops take place online for 1.5 hours at a time and are 100% free. Each session, Gemma and Via will walk you through creative writing exercises to inspire you and encourage your creativity, after which you will have the option to share your writing if you would like among likeminded writers in a safe and open environment.

This group is for Autistic adults in the North of England. Led by Romany Gypsy poet Gemma Lees, we offer a warm welcome to all - with a special invitation to GRTSB (Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showmen & Boater) communities.

Dates & Times:

• 19 February - 7pm - 8:30pm
• 19 March - 7pm - 8:30pm
• 26 March - 7pm - 8:30pm
• 2 April - 7pm - 8:30pm
• 16 April - 7pm - 8:30pm

How to book:

• Sign up by clicking the opportunity link below.

A 12-month paid career development opportunity for emerging creative professionals ages 18–25.

Creative Industry Placement is a 12-month career development opportunity that provides professional pathways into the creative industries, with a strong focus on supporting underrepresented talent. This placement offers five creative participants ages 18-25 with hands-on experience working in an arts organisation, building insight into how a creative business is run. Roles will range from day-to-day management through to programming and operations.

This placement is designed for those:

• Who are interested in learning about creative industries and want to forge pathways into the cultural sector.
• Who want to develop networks, transferable skills, build a dynamic and creative portfolio.
• Who want to nurture professional skills, creative confidence, and workplace readiness.

Placement runs from April 2026 – April 2027.

How to apply:

• Complete the application form on their website.