Our 9-Week Saturday Youth Theatre Programme uses acting and drama activities to help young people become more confident communicators, creative thinkers and supportive team players. Whether your child loves performing or simply wants to build confidence and make new friends, they’ll gain skills that benefit them both on and off the stage.
AGES 6-11
Build Confidence, Communication & Creativity
Perfect for children who love performing, enjoy imaginative play, or would benefit from a supportive environment where they can grow in confidence.
Through drama games, acting activities and performance exercises, students develop:
Autumn term: Saturday 03 October - Saturday 05 December (9 weeks, no class on 24 October) at 10am - 12pm
Course fees: £250
AGES 11-17
Acting Skills That Support Their Future
For older students looking to strengthen their acting ability while developing transferable skills that can support future studies and careers.
Students explore:
Alongside acting training, students build transferable life skills including communication, leadership, teamwork, presentation skills and self-confidence. Whether they’re considering drama school or another career path, these are skills that will benefit them for years to come.
Autumn term: Saturday 03 October - Saturday 05 December (9 weeks, no class on 24 October) at 1pm - 3:30pm
Course fees: £275
For more information, including bursary places, and to sign up, please click the Opportunity Info link below!
Good Chance and Sheffield Theatres are partnering to offer a practical Production Management traineeship for someone from a refugee or asylum-seeking background with experience of forced displacement, to join our team for 2 to 5 days a week over two months.
The successful candidate will support the planning and delivery of productions and events within a busy producing theatre. Working closely with the Production Manager and wider Production and Technical teams, the Trainee will gain practical experience of professional theatre production from planning and rehearsal through to technical rehearsal and performance.
ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY:
The trainee will join Sheffield Theatres during the final stages of production for Twelfth Night, gaining first-hand experience of the technical rehearsal process and opening in the Crucible Theatre. The Open Works Festival will also take place during the early part of the traineeship, offering opportunities to experience work across the Montgomery and Playhouse venues.
Preparation and rehearsals for Singin' in the Rain will be in full swing throughout the placement, giving the trainee the chance to follow the production's journey from the rehearsal room to opening night on the Crucible stage.
Alongside these productions, there will be opportunities to observe the early stages of other shows' development and design processes, providing insight into the planning, collaboration and creative decision-making involved in bringing a production from initial concept to final realisation.
A strong understanding of all production disciplines is fundamental to effective Production Management. The Trainee will therefore work alongside colleagues across Production and Technical teams to develop knowledge of the processes, people and skills involved in creating and delivering theatre.
THE TRAINEESHIP OFFERS:
Application Deadline: Sunday 6 September at 6pm
Interviews: Week of 14 September
For more information and to apply, click the Opportunity Info link below!
This six-week course will focus on different ways of analysing theatre, and empowering participants to talk about their experience as an audience member. The course will enable you to think like a professional theatre maker, analyse like a reviewer, and gain the tools to be an expert of your own opinion.
This course will take participants behind the scenes to explore a theatre-maker’s toolkit. From design to direction, and acting to sound, we’ll unveil the ingredients used in creating a production.
KEY INFORMATION:
WHO IS THE COURSE FOR?
For anyone aged 18 and over interested in theatre; theatre goers and play lovers and anyone who wants to deepen their understanding of the craft involved behind making a performance. Whether you're a regular audience member, a budding critic, or simply passionate about the stage, this course will give you the tools to see theatre through a new lens.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT?
The course will involve lectures, watching clips of theatre, learning theory, and guided discussions.
You will explore different job roles within the theatre and will look at how each of these approach putting on a production. These include:
You will gain new skills in analysing and discussing what you see on stage, and a deeper knowledge of stagecraft.
For more information and to sign up, click the opportunity info link below!
Running throughout Black History Month and inspired by our production of Margaret Atwood’s The Penelopiad, this five-week writer development course led by playwright Misha Duncan-Barry invites adults aged 18+ of all writing abilities to explore the art of adaptation and discover how classic stories can be reimagined through new perspectives.
Using The Penelopiad as a starting point, we’ll explore how writers can reclaim, reshape, and re-centre stories by focusing on Black mythological, folkloric, and legendary figures from African and diasporic traditions. Through discussion, writing exercises, and feedback, participants will develop original dramatic work inspired by myths old and new.
The course begins on Saturday 10 October, when we’ll meet for our first session before attending the opening night performance of The Penelopiad together. Over the following weeks, we’ll investigate adaptation as a creative tool, exploring whose voices are heard, whose are forgotten, and how storytelling can challenge established narratives.
COURSE PREPARATION
As part of the course, participants will be asked to arrive at the first session with a Black mythological, folkloric, or legendary figure they would like to explore and develop throughout the programme. This could be a well-known figure or someone whose story has been overlooked, reinterpreted, or marginalised over time.
Examples might include:
Participants will be encouraged to consider what aspect of their chosen figure’s story they would like to adapt, reframe, or re-centre through their writing.
No previous playwriting experience is required—whether you’re completely new to writing for theatre or looking to develop your existing practice, you’ll be supported to generate and develop new work throughout the course.
For participants who are interested, there will be an opportunity at the end of the programme to share extracts of their work in an informal studio sharing with actors.
COURSE DATES & TIMES (please note booking your place gets you access to all sessions)
SUITABLE FOR
Places are limited to ensure all participants have dedicated time for discussion, feedback, and the development of their work throughout the programme.
COST OF COURSE: £75 including a ticket to The Penelopiad capacity 12. If cost is a barrier please contact artistdevelopment@yorktheatreroyal.co.uk to ask about our bursary places.
Are you passionate about Theatre, Chicken shops & the impact of gentrification? Want to work on a new pay, whilst learning from an award winning team? Then we want to hear from you!
LOWD productions supported by Arts Council England are conducting R&D (research and development) for Amin Ali's debut play Chicken Cottage. Directed by Adam Karim & Produced by Saher Shah.
This opportunity also includes a structured debrief & a career mentoring session with Director Adam Karim to be organised after the R&D at a mutually convenient time.
RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE ROLE:
This is not an exhaustive list, further details will be discussed at interview including any areas candidates are particularly interested in learning about that can be feasibly accommodated.
APPLICANT SKILLS & REQUIREMENTS:
KEY INFORMATION:
HOW TO APPLY:
Applicants must be 18yr+ and London based.
Due to the themes & characters explored in this play, we are particularly interested in hearing from those who are Black, Muslim, female or non-binary & have lived experience of gentrification.
For more information, please click the Opportunity Info link below!
Are you a writer that is not currently represented by an agent, based in the UK or Ireland and writes for the stage? Then we want to read your work!
Formerly titled Open Submissions, our open call window to submit your work this year is 12noon Wednesday 12 August 2026 until 12noon Wednesday 26 August 2026.
We are keen to discover and build relationships with writers across the UK and Ireland unknown to us at the moment. This submission process is an opportunity for us to find exciting new voices, learn more about who’s making work today and begin conversations and invest in the development of writers whose interests and ambitions feel aligned with our own.
We’re looking for original voices and ideas – writers asking the big questions of today inventively, urgently and theatrically. We want to read your work for future development and collaboration: at least one writer identified through this open call will be offered a place on our Bush Writers' Group 2026-27.
For more information and to submit, click the opportunity info link below!
HOME Young Company is a year-long theatre programme for young people aged 14 –18 who are interested in co-creating youth-led theatre. With opportunities to see theatre, learn skills and work with industry professionals. Young Company meet at HOME on Tuesday 6pm to 8pm.
Applications close on 4th September 2026 to join the new season (September 2026 - August 2027).
Applicants will be invited to a taster workshop during the week of 7th September; attendance does not guarantee a place on the programme.
REWRITES is a partnership programme led by Lowry, Birmingham Hippodrome, Mayflower Southampton, Norwich Theatre and Capital Theatres Edinburgh.
REWRITES champions bold new musicals that are ready to connect with audiences across the country, recognising touring as a crucial stage in a show's development. By enabling productions to test, refine and strengthen their work in front of diverse audiences nationwide, REWRITES creates a clear pathway for ambitious new musicals, combining direct financial support with in-kind expertise from some of the UK's leading theatre organisations.
Initiated by Lowry in 2017, musicals featured in REWRITES include: Jeezus! By Sergio Antonio Maggiolo, Ballad Lines by Finn Anderson and Tania Azevedo, Half Man Half Bull by Wright & Grainger, Chosen by Taiya Yoshida & Dominic Varney, Nel’s Place by Sheep Soup, No Miracles Here by The Letter Room, A Super Happy Story (About Feeling Sad) by Jon Brittain and Matthew Floyd Jones (Kathy & Stella) and Snowflake by Lewis Cornay. The award-winning West End and Broadway musical Operation Mincemeat started out at a scratch event as part of REWRITES.
REWRITES platforms normally take place twice a year in Spring and Autumn. Our next opportunity is Autumn 2027. Dates TBC.
Submissions open on 20th July and closes on 18th December. Applicants will hear by the end of January.
For more information and to apply click the opportunity link below!
Are you passionate about creative writing, history, and the arts? This exciting and unique course offers the opportunity to explore all three in an inspiring and creative environment.
Led by a professional theatre-maker and writer, alongside a range of specialist guests, participants will take part in dynamic workshops that bring stories, history, and creativity to life. The 10-week course includes exclusive curatorial access to the American Museum & Gardens, providing a rare opportunity to engage directly with fascinating collections and uncover the stories behind them.
Throughout the term, you will create original written and performance work inspired by the museum and its exhibits. The course culminates in an end of term celebratory sharing of the work developed during the programme. There will also be a special performance of selected pieces that will go on to be showcased within the museum itself!
Sessions take place in the beautiful Coach House and Stables at the American Museum & Gardens, offering a unique and inspiring setting for creativity, collaboration, and discovery.
Theatre Royal Bath Theatre School in partnership with the American Museum & Gardens.
Wonderfund Bursaries
We believe every young person should be able to take part.
Thanks to the Wonderfund, bursary places are available for all our Theatre School workshops — giving young people the chance to get creative, build confidence, and be part of something special. Apply through the link below.
Dates:
Time: 6.45pm - 8.15pm
WHO? Young people aged 11 – 14 years old living in Newham
WHAT? Our Youth Theatre sessions are led by a professional director. You can expect to engage in activities and theatre games that you enjoy with your peers, in an inclusive environment. The sessions are fun, playful and open to everyone.
WHEN? Tuesdays 5:15pm – 6:45pm, term dates below
Tue 22 Sep - Tue 08 Dec
Tue 12 Jan - Tue 23 Mar
Tue 13 Apr - Tue 29 Jun
To apply, please fill in an application form linked below. Youth Theatre applications will close 9am, Thursday 20 August.
Please be aware that our Youth Theatre is very oversubscribed.
We can only accept applications from young people living in Newham.
