Shape Arts has partnered with The Literary Consultancy for another year to facilitate their Free Reads scheme which provides opportunities for professional feedback for low-income writers from underrepresented backgrounds. TLC, the UK’s leading literary consultancy, run the scheme every year, helping hundreds of writers on to publication, but its main aim is to support writers developing their work and honing their writing craft through structured constructive feedback.
Free Reads provides free access to a professional reader, who will provide written feedback on a sample of your work. The pool of writers will b e decided by Shape following a selection process. All selected writers will receive access to TLC’s ‘Being A Writer’ online portal for 6 months.
This service is available for extracts or full manuscripts across the following formats:
Alongside the main Manuscript Assessments, TLC are offering additional support this year to apply to. This includes:
You can find out more about each of these additional support packages via the TLC website.
Taunton Brewhouse are looking for an emerging Assistant Director with strong roots in Somerset/the South-West and ideally, a home base within 25 miles of TA1 1JL. They encourage applications from graduates and those at the start of their career in directing. This is a full-time freelance role (7-hour days) between 9 November and 4 December.
The successful applicant will gain hands-on experience across the full professional rehearsal process, from the initial read-through through to the final performance.
Treasure Island - About the Show
Will you risk everything for gold? Or is some treasure worth more than money?
Jim Hawkins is growing up in the salt-aired historic harbour town of Watchet on the coast of West Somerset, but wants more from life than one day becoming the owner of the family B&B.
The arrival of a mysterious sailor and the treasure map he brings with him turns Jim's ordinary world upside down. Home comforts are soon a distant memory as Jim is aboard a ship bound for who knows where in search of stolen gold, sailing alongside a crew of colourful rogues, brave adventurers, and one utterly unforgettable, silver-tongued pirate: Long John Silver.
Digging for buried treasure brings many things to the surface and Jim must face a question that no map can answer.
Bursting with rousing folk music, crashing waves, daring adventures, and a great deal of laughter, this is a story about loyalty, courage, and the most important journey of all - growing up and working out what really matters.
The Assistant Director will need to be available for the following periods of time:
Rehearsals (in Taunton): from Monday 9 November 2026 - Friday 27 November 2026
Tech: from Monday 30 November 2026 - Friday 4 December 2026
And will be given free tickets for one preview and Press Night:
Previews: from Tuesday 8 December 2026
Press Night: Thursday 10 December 2026
This is a paid position. The fee is £1780.
Mountview is dedicated to developing the actors, technicians and practitioners who will shape the future of the creative industries.
Our vision is to be a world leader in dramatic training, making an impact locally, nationally and internationally. We give potential a chance, nurturing bold, curious and purposeful artists, and we work to ensure our teaching remains current, ambitious and relevant. We train our students to the highest standards, developing skills, confidence and individuality through innovative practice, close industry relationships and a deep belief in the power of creativity to change lives.
Our staff team is highly skilled and collectively committed to Mountview’s mission. Together, we have built a flourishing, energetic workplace that celebrates kindness and difference.
Inclusivity and belonging sit at the heart of our organisation: we commit to learning, to accountability, and to doing better when we fall short. By investing in our people and our partnerships, we secure a vibrant future for the arts – and for the students and staff who make Mountview what it is.
PTASZYNSKI PRODUCER (1 YEAR FIXED TERM CONTRACT)
The Ptaszynski Producer is a one-year fixed-term post designed to foster the development of an early-career producer. This post responds to the lack of representation amongst producers in UK theatre from diverse backgrounds.
The Producer will work with Mountview’s Head of Public Performance to help coordinate a programme of approximately 25 undergraduate and postgraduate productions across our two venues, and will assist with producing/coordinating a range of educational activities in the building and beyond. The Producer will support the institution to widen engagement, expand the reach of our work, develop our outward-facing programme and bring insights to this role grounded in lived experience.
Mountview sits in the centre of a thriving and diverse community in Peckham. We know that different lived experiences are essential in shaping our public productions and our approach to audience and community engagement. This post is designed not only to provide an opportunity for an early-career producer but also to empower them to have a vital voice in making our productions accessible to a broader audience.
Alongside their responsibilities at Mountview, the Producer will be supported in their career development with industry placements and shadowing.
SALARY: Circa £30-31K per annum, depending on experience
CLOSING DATE: Tuesday 1 September at 9am
Mountview is committed to diversity and is an equal opportunities employer. We actively encourage applicants from under-represented backgrounds and value the positive impact that difference has on our institution.
Ignition is Frantic Assembly's FREE nationwide talent development programme for young people aged 16 - 24. AND YOU ARE INVITED!
Working with 13 regional partners, Ignition sets out to find people with the potential to work in the Arts, opening doors and making them feel their presence is welcome.
No experience is necessary, and we particularly look for young people who have little or no previous involvement with theatre or the arts.
Throughout September and October, we travel across the UK to deliver Trial workshops. Visiting theatre and non-theatre spaces, these workshops are created for young people with little or no experience of theatre, who face barriers accessing the Arts, and may never have considered a pathway in the industry possible. Ignition tells them they can be part of it and that their voice is not only welcome, but needed. The programme culminates in five days of training and devising with Frantic, in London, producing original shows for a public audience.
WHAT IS A TRIAL?
A workshop to further understand and explore Frantic’s distinct approach to devising theatre.
WHAT IS THE INTENSIVE?
Selected from the trials, 24 participants will join each other for a week in London. Guided by Frantic Assembly, they will create two original performances for a public audience.
All aspects of the Intensive (travel to London, accommodation, and food) are paid for by Frantic Assembly, thereby removing financial barriers to participation.
For those that take part in the Ignition intensive, we offer a year-round access programme that continues to develop, mentor, and signpost training and career opportunities with Frantic Assembly and their partners, throughout the UK.
Sign-ups open Mon 10 Aug 2026, 9am and close Thurs 10 Sep 2026, 9pm
Sheffield Theatres are looking for a Making Room Observer to join the company of Twelfth Night.
Making Room Observer opportunities are for aspiring and early-career theatre creatives based locally to Sheffield Theatres who want to familiarise with professional rehearsal practice.
Making Room Observers are invited to observe one day each week of rehearsal, and two days of technical rehearsals. Making Room Observers are also invited to attend a preview performance and opening night.
The Making Room Observer for Twelfth Night will receive a £350 fee to support their attendance and observation of the rehearsal process.
The Trainee Youth Theatre Assistant position is a great opportunity for an individual looking to gain facilitator experience working with a professional theatre Creative Learning team.
The applicant will be assisted by the broader team to develop a broad range of skills that will help to support a further career as Youth Theatre Leader, Director or those wanting to work with young people and communities.
Theatre Royal Bury St. Edmunds are looking to recruit 2x Trainee Youth Theatre Assistant Leaders (for applicants aged 16-18).
Deadline: Midday Monday 17 August 2026
Interviews will take place on 24 August 2026 at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds. Applications can also be submitted by audio or video format.
The Scratch Night will take place at Etcetera Theatre, Camden on 27th October, from 7 to 8pm. We'll be selecting five scripts to be performed on the night, and all selected writers will receive a £50 participation fee.
If you've got a spooky story or script you'd love to see performed on stage, we'd love to read it.
Find out more and submit on the link below!
Submissions close: 23rd August
The Dukes are looking for up to five theatre makers/creatives to join them as Associate Artists for a period of 18 months. Theatre makers, companies or individuals from an array of artistic discipline. This could include: writers, directors, designers, producers, companies and others that may benefit from this opportunity.
What is the Associate Artist Programme?
Within our Talent Development programme, The Dukes’ ambition is for our venue to be known in the North West as a welcome hub for artists to collaborate and stretch their creative muscles. The Dukes is committed to providing support to our selected Associate Artists, who are at varying stages of their career, with the hopes of establishing a creative, empowered and balanced partnership. We also wish to bring artists together, so they too can expand their working relationships.
The Associate Artist Programme provides support such as:
*please note, The Dukes does not offer commission to artists for this programme
The Dukes also offers advocacy within Venues North and other relevant networks and events.
Application Process:
To apply, please send an expression of interest explaining why you would like to be an Associate Artist (no more than one side of A4) as well as a summary (or CV) of your experience and past work. Please send this to the email below with the subject ‘FAO: Emma Nixon - Associate Artist Application’.
Things to consider for your application:
Deadline for applications: Monday 17th August 2026
For the shortlisted artists, we will be in touch and it's likely you'll be invited to an informal meeting to discuss your work and ideas.
The Open House Project is a 12-week project for 15 care-experienced young people, combining life skills, drama and support, ending in a 4-week run of performances.
The process is holistic, beginning with the development of trust, empathy and foundational life and employment skills. Older members mentor younger ones, as momentum builds into a highly disciplined rehearsal process, co-creating the work alongside a professional creative team.
One-to-one support is provided for twelve months with a focus on bespoke pastoral support, mentoring, strategic planning and pathways into education, employment and training. Once completed, Young People are welcomed into the wider Big House community as members, enabling access to a range of opportunities.
If you or someone you know would be a good fit, contact the email address provided.
Dates: 28th September - 19th December
Cameron Mackintosh Ltd are looking for an enthusiastic and creative individual to undertake a Wigs, Hair, Make Up and Prosthetics Technician Apprenticeship on a full-time 27-month contract, in collaboration with Chichester College.
You will work directly alongside world-class wigs, hair, and make-up professionals on iconic West End and industry-leading regional productions, working towards a nationally recognised Level 3 apprenticeship. This program balances real-world production work with structured vocational learning, with 1 day per week to study and/or attend college, as well as spending 2 weeks of residential learning at Northbrook College in Worthing.
The Apprenticeship will begin in October 2026.
