Is money stopping you from taking part in music, dance or drama?
NAYT grant music bursaries, dance 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.
This fast track degree, taught by current industry professionals, provides a two year route into the theatre production industry whether in stage management, lighting, sound or AV across theatre, festivals and events. In association with Tobacco Factory Theatres and Bristol Old Vic Theatre, you experience two working theatres and learn technical theatre crafts from experienced professionals in a way that’s more similar to an apprenticeship.
The course is limited to just 12 students to re-create a professional working environment and culture from day one. There is a national shortage of skilled technical staff in the theatre and live events industries and Technical Theatre Arts graduates are in high demand. BSA’s strong industry networks help open doors to a rewarding career.
Designed as an accelerated pathway, this two-year degree packs 40 weeks of teaching into each year, matching the total teaching time of traditional three-year degrees. This means you enter the workforce sooner whilst saving more than £10,000 in tuition fees and living costs combined.
WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?
The Young Playwrights Award is a free, open-access competition for any teenager in the UK interested in writing a play.
Your play can be about anything you want or imagine: something that inspires you, a story not told before, or ideas that challenge the world around you. To help you get the most out of the experience, we also offer support and advice at every step - including dedicated resources for schools and groups getting involved, and a free workshop at the Royal Court on Tuesday 31 March.
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
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 11 – Sun 12 Apr 2026
Cost: £285
Deadline to book: 5pm, Thursday 9 April 2026
Perfect for anyone aged 14 to 17 with an interest in creative writing. No experience is required, just interest and enthusiasm.
Put pen to paper, let your imagination roam free and conjure your creativity with this new two-day course, led by London writer Annie Hayter.
Working with Annie, you will explore a range of literary texts including poetry and fiction, and will use artwork, photographs and songs to inspire your own creative writing. You will learn to draft and develop your own stories and explore the best ways to present, perform and publish them.
Maybe you want to write about your pet goose Doris, an imagined day in the life of your favourite popstar or whatever is important to you, this course will be a warm and open space for you to freely express yourself and delve into the depths of your imagination.
Dates: Sat 18 – Sun 19 Jul 2026
Cost: £230
Deadline to book: 5pm, Friday 3 July 2026
Work with a professional director to create a full play in just 5 days.
For young people aged 12 to 15, Wac Arts one-week summer program offers an exciting opportunity to work with a professional director and create a full play in just 5 days!
Over the course of the week, participants will collaborate as a team to explore the world of the play, develop their characters, and rehearse their lines. The week will culminate in a live performance for friends and family, showcasing the incredible work they’ve put in. This is a fantastic option for anyone interested in joining the Wac Arts Actors Company or Junior Actors Company, or for anyone looking to have fun, make new friends, and enjoy a creative, welcoming environment full of artistic energy.
Dates: Monday 27 July – Friday 31 July
Times: 9:30am – 15:30
Bursaries:
They offer limited Bursary places to support those with specific circumstances.
Book before 17 April 2026 to receive £20-off
Lyric Hammersmith is looking for young people aged 13–25 who live or learn in the London Borough of Hammersmith & Fulham to form a Board to oversee the Young People’s Borough of Culture 2026–27.
Are you a young leader? Interested in culture and creativity? Want to build on your leadership skills? Invested in what happens in your local area?
Young People’s Borough of Culture is a two-year initiative led by Lyric Hammersmith Theatre for the Hammersmith & Fulham Cultural Compact, enabling young people in the borough to celebrate their cultural lives and linking their creativity to the local innovation sectors.
The project sets out a new long-term model for young people, education and business sectors, delivering an expansive programme of work including School Arts Week, a week of creative arts workshops for all state primary and SEND schools in the borough; Our Place, a participatory grant scheme for creative projects voted on and delivered by young people across Hammersmith & Fulham; an October youth festival taking place in cultural and creative organisations throughout half-term week; and more to be announced.
The Young People’s Borough of Culture Board will meet in person once a month to steer the Young People’s Borough of Culture by overseeing and taking part in marketing, outreach, operations, community producing, finance, governance, and more. Board members will have a direct influence on showcasing and celebrating Hammersmith & Fulham and ensuring that local young people are at the heart of the programme. This is a chance to be part of something completely new, exciting, and unique, as London’s first ever Young People’s Borough of Culture.
See the FAQs for more information.
The Board will:
The Board will meet in person on the first Tuesday of the month between April 2026 and August 2027, 5:30pm to 7:30pm, at various locations in the Borough:
Group interviews will take place on Saturday 18th April, 10:30am – 12:30pm, or Monday 20th April, 5:30pm – 7:30pm. Applicants only need to attend one session.
To apply, applicants must:
Lyric Hammersmith wants to ensure that the Board is representative of the full range of young people in the Borough, including people from diverse ethnic backgrounds, people with disabilities or neurodiversity, people who identify as LGBTQ+, people from low-income households, and those who are care experienced.
If applicants feel unsure about their eligibility or have any questions, they can get in touch via participation@lyric.co.uk.
Please note: Applications for this project close on Tuesday 14th April 2026 at 12pm.
