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.
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!
Young Creatives is a friendly place for people ages 13 – 17 to explore all things ‘behind the scenes’ at a theatre! This is an opportunity to try new things, make new friends, and see shows together.
Workshops are entry-level and will be a mix of creative and social sessions with fun crafts, games and activities. There will also be workshops in some of the following areas:
The Northern Stage team and guest artists will give you a basic introduction to each of these areas, with an opportunity to try an activity in each discipline.
Applications are open throughout the term but may close if spaces are filled.
Hertford Regional College’s Higher Education provision in Performing Arts is designed to provide students with creative performance and management skills to develop themselves as independent artists and theatre-makers in the field of entertainment. The core focus of this course is to train students to produce, manage and sustain original theatrical work at a professional standard. Our facilities meet industry standards, and staff expertise and experience support students to prepare for industry.
Our students consistently demonstrate industry standard performances, underpinned by high attendance, leading to strong outcomes. This level 6 top-up year enables students to achieve a full BA Hons degree, providing them with a clear line of sight to employment.
This Level 6 provision has been produced in close collaboration with our partners and subject specialists at the University of Hertfordshire. The course develops students’ skills through technique classes, historical context lectures, application in rehearsal and performance, independent study, and reflective practice. Definitive module documents have been developed and refined to create a world class educational experience for our students’ Level 6 year.
Theatre and the arts have had a positive impact on the national economy and according to the Arts Council in 2018 ‘the arts and culture industry grew £390 million in a year and contributed £10.8 billion a year to the UK economy. The sector contributes £2.8 billion a year to the Treasury via taxation and generates a further £23 billion a year and 363,700 jobs.’ The report also states that 30% of this figure is combined arts and a direct 25% of this figure is theatre. Despite the pandemic affecting all industries in recent years, according to UK Theatre and Society of London Theatres ‘The theatre sector is normally responsible for directly and indirectly generating approximately £1 billion per annum in VAT revenue for HM Treasury, not including additional revenue in the form of PAYE and NI contributions. It will therefore play a vital part in the nation’s recovery.’ The arts have been supported during the time of the pandemic through the cultural support fund with the government recognising the importance and continued importance this industry has for the UK economy.
What will I be doing?
The programme consists of three modules: Advanced Character Performance, Planning New Theatrical Work & Creative Project.
Advanced Character Performance: This module enables students to critically analyse and interpret research to create a character through a devising process of original performance material informed by research. Students will perform original material in character, making choices in response to the character’s world. At the end of the module students will apply a critical self-reflection using reflective writing tools on planning, process, and product.
Planning New Theatrical Work: This module enables students to develop their own creative vision and investigate funding streams, audience markets and statutory requirements for producing and performing theatrical work.
Creative Project: This module enables students to work collaboratively to create a new original performance. Using skills and knowledge gained in previous modules students will work to create a new full-scale production. Students will explore and implement the cornerstones of performance creation.
Successful completion of:
In addition you will also need:
If you do not have the above grades in maths and English we will expect you to enrol in adult classes at the college.
Entry to this programme will also be determined by a self-tape audition submitted via an online platform.
We also welcome applicants with industry experience and will require a self-tape audition and portfolio of work.
How to Apply?
Applications are via UCAS to the University of Hertfordshire. Please use the below codes:
Young Technicians is aimed at young people aged 15-19-years-old who are interested in getting to grips with lighting, sound and stage management in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings. The course runs over a twelve-week period in the Autumn here at Lighthouse Poole.
Led by James Smith, Technical Manager of Lighthouse Poole and Production Designer & Technical Director of our pantomime, you will be given the chance to see what goes on behind the scenes of this year’s show, Jack and the Beanstalk, working alongside all technical departments during the run-up to opening night.
You will have the opportunity to take part in masterclasses led by industry-leading professionals with hands on sessions covering all elements required to deliver world class live entertainment.
Takes place November 2026 - February 2027
Join the Creators' Programme at the Young Vic!
To be part of the Creators’ Program and the Creators’ Program Network, you should be a professional artist who is:
The Creators’ Program Network is a unique online space where artists can exchange opportunities, share resources, and be part of a network of artists. This is also where all our events, workshops, and ticket offers will be listed.
Pleasance Theatre offer work experience placements throughout the year to anyone who thinks they might be interested in a career in the arts.
The placements will including shadowing their Front of House, Box Office and Technical teams, as well as working with the administration staff.
They are particularly interested in hearing from people based in Islington and from underrepresented groups.
This eight-week course will develop your creative writing skills and provide you with the confidence to bring an idea for theatre to life through an active, practical approach that brings writers into collaborative exploration.
Open to anyone aged 18 and over with enthusiasm and an idea to explore whether you're a complete beginner or returning to creative writing, this course welcomes those interested in writing plays, screen projects, poetry, spoken word or performance art.
You'll develop writing techniques through practical exercises and improvisation, gain a solid understanding of structure, form and character development, and work towards a completed piece of writing by the end of the course. Optional homework (about one hour per week) is recommended to gain the most from the course, and attendance of all eight sessions is encouraged to support your progression and the benefit of the group. You'll have the opportunity to hear your writing performed by actors in the final weeks.
This opportunity will run for eight-weeks, starting 01/10/2026, on Thursdays 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Lighting Esesntials is an in-person training event from ETC, a leading manufacturer of professional lighting control systems, fixtures, networking solutions, and rigging technology for the entertainment industry. Designed for anyone who is passionate about working in lighting and lighting design, or who wants to learn more about the art and craft of stage lighting, this course provides an accessible introduction to the industry.
Whether you are new to the industry or just curious about what the ‘lampies’ actually do, this session is for you.
We cover a broad range of topics including stage lighting principles, fundamentals of design, colour theory, lighting fixtures and much more. There is also the opportunity to get hands-on with ETC's latest products.
Course date: 18 September 2026
