A great opportunity to learn about the basic techniques of puppetry and how to bring a story to life using this theatrical device.
With insight into the Made At Curve productions that utilised this method, such as PIRATES LOVE UNDERPANTS and THE OWL THAT CAME FOR CHRISTMAS, are you ready to take on a creative challenge that will be full of fun, storytelling and amazing characters?
Date: 18 August 2026
Running time: 2pm – 5pm
Cost: £25 - A limited number of free bursary places are available for families facing financial hardship. If you would like to be considered for a bursary place, please email cycc@curvetheatre.co.uk. They would require evidence of being receipt of benefits or eligible for free school meals or pupil premium.
Have you ever wanted to know more about the technical side of theatre, and all that goes into collaborating with the director and design teams?
Well join Curve Theatre, Leicester for a day and find out how it's all done, from the set, props and costumes in a Made a Curve production, to exploring lighting and sound that enhances the experience for an audience.
No experience needed, just your enthusiasm for backstage roles!
Date: 10 August 2026
Running time: 10am – 5pm
Cost: £50 - A limited number of free bursary places are available for families facing financial hardship. If you would like to be considered for a bursary place, please email cycc@curvetheatre.co.uk. They would require evidence of being receipt of benefits or eligible for free school meals or pupil premium.
Fire up your imaginations and discover the world of performance and theatre-making with Theatre Royal Plymouth's Creative Explorers.
During the term, young people will explore new skills and develop their knowledge by engaging with a variety of theatrical conventions, this may include storytelling, devising from stimulus and performance opportunities.
Sessions will begin weekly from 26 Sep – 18 Dec with a break for half term (26 Oct – 01 Nov).
Running time: 90 minutes, 10.30am – 12pm or 12:30pm – 2pm
Cost: £80, bursary places available.
Hackney Empire are looking for young musicians aged 17 to 30 to take part in their Trainee Musical Director programme designed to demystify the role of the Musical Director (MD).
What you’ll gain:
They are looking for people who are:
Observing Jack and the Beanstalk:
Their 2026 pantomime production of Jack and the Beanstalk runs from Sun 22 Nov – Thu 31 Dec and during this time, you will watch at least one preview performance to observe the Musical Director. A date will be mutually agreed in advance.
Deadline: 9am, Monday 3 August
Work In Theatre is an opportunity to explore, hear more about and take part in workshops about the hidden areas of theatre that people often do not know exist.
This hands-on work experience course for young people aged 14 – 17yrs offers workshops, talks and practical activities in:
Dates: Mon 27 – Fri 31 July
Time: 10.30am – 4pm each day
There are a limited number of subsidised places to improve equal access to the industry for those who are disadvantaged by their socio-economic background, additional needs, Black, Asian & ethnic backgrounds and those in care or previously in care. Please email jackiealexander@atgentertainment.com to apply.
Young Directors is a 10-week introduction to directing live performance course for young people aged 13-17, hosted by Northern Stage.
The sessions consist of a series of interactive workshops, masterclasses with industry professionals, and opportunities to see shows at Northern Stage.
Young Directors will learn all about the essentials of directing live performance – from learning how to work with actors to exploring scripts and discovering the kind of theatre you’d like to create. No previous experience needed – just bring along your desire to discover more about different ways to make theatre!
Deadline to apply: Sunday 16 August
The cost of the course varies depending on your circumstances. Northern Stage have created a payment scale (see below) to help you identify which fee is appropriate for you. Fees cover the cost of the 10 sessions as well as tickets to selected performances at Northern Stage as part of the programme.
Fees are required to be paid in advance of starting the course and more information about how to do this will follow if you are successfully selected to take part.
Standard fee: £150 (If you have the means to pay for the full value of the course)
Discounted fee: £90 (If you do not have the means to pay for the full value of the course)
Bursary places: FREE*
*Bursary places are limited and bursary applications from young people from a low-socioeconomic background, from the global majority or with a disability will be prioritised, in line with Northern Stage’s strategic priorities. As part of a bursary place, we can also support with the cost of travelling to and from sessions.
Young Designers is a 10-week course for young people aged 13-17, hosted by Northern Stage.
Explore how designers bring theatre to life in their weekly introductory masterclasses! Guided by industry professionals, you’ll get hands-on experience in costume design, hair and make-up design, and work with elements of technical theatre.
This course will focus on design for live performance, and you’ll learn skills applicable to theatre, film, TV, live music, and other visual art forms. Sessions are led by the experienced Northern Stage team, and you’ll work alongside guest artists and creatives working professionally in the region.
Understand the principles of designing and sourcing costumes for performance. Develop costume ideas, create mood boards, observe demonstrations, experiment with different design techniques, build your own costumes, try your hand at special effects makeup. You’ll work towards a mini exhibition at the end of the course to showcase your skills. No previous experience needed – just bring along your enthusiasm for creating!
Deadline to apply: Sunday 16 August
The cost of the course varies depending on your circumstances. Northern Stage have created a payment scale (see below) to help you identify which fee is appropriate for you. Fees cover the cost of the 10 sessions as well as tickets to selected performances at Northern Stage as part of the programme.
Fees are required to be paid in advance of starting the course and more information about how to do this will follow if you are successfully selected to take part.
Standard fee: £150 (If you have the means to pay for the full value of the course)
Discounted fee: £90 (If you do not have the means to pay for the full value of the course)
Bursary places: FREE*
*Bursary places are limited and bursary applications from young people from a low-socioeconomic background, from the global majority or with a disability will be prioritised, in line with Northern Stage’s strategic priorities. As part of a bursary place, we can also support with the cost of travelling to and from sessions.
Young Designers is a 10-week course for young people aged 13-17, hosted by Northern Stage.
Explore how designers bring theatre to life in their weekly introductory masterclasses! Guided by industry professionals, you’ll get hands-on experience in stage and scenic design, costume design, and work with elements of technical theatre.
This course will focus on design for live performance, and you’ll learn skills applicable to theatre, film, TV, live music, and other visual art forms. Sessions are led by the experienced Northern Stage team, and you’ll work alongside guest artists and creatives working professionally in the region.
Learn the principles of building a world for a performance. Develop set ideas, create mood boards, build model boxes, try scenic painting and make props. You’ll work towards a mini exhibition at the end of the course to showcase your skills. No previous experience needed – just bring along your enthusiasm for creating!
Deadline to apply: Sunday 16 August
The cost of the course varies depending on your circumstances. Northern Stage have created a payment scale (see below) to help you identify which fee is appropriate for you. Fees cover the cost of the 10 sessions as well as tickets to selected performances at Northern Stage as part of the programme.
Fees are required to be paid in advance of starting the course and more information about how to do this will follow if you are successfully selected to take part.
Standard fee: £150 (If you have the means to pay for the full value of the course)
Discounted fee: £90 (If you do not have the means to pay for the full value of the course)
Bursary places: FREE*
*Bursary places are limited and bursary applications from young people from a low-socioeconomic background, from the global majority or with a disability will be prioritised, in line with Northern Stage’s strategic priorities. As part of a bursary place, we can also support with the cost of travelling to and from sessions.
Now’s your opportunity to take your first steps into the captivating world of theatre!
Interested in exploring a career in technology and digital innovation?
LW Theatre are excited to launch a NEW Work Experience Programme with their Technology Team this summer, giving young people the chance to gain valuable insight into the technology that helps keep our theatres and business running behind the scenes.
Whether you're interested in IT support, systems, digital solutions, or technology careers more broadly, this is a fantastic opportunity to learn from industry professionals and discover where a career in tech could take you.
Please note that all placements are limited to those aged 16 and over.
Deadline for applications: 9am, Friday 17 July
Interviews: week commencing 20 July
Work Experience placement: 17 - 21 August
Successful students will be given an allowance to cover food and travel costs within the M25 for the duration of their work experience; we don’t want there to be any barriers to participation. If you are successful and need additional financial support to participate, we will review this on a case-by-case basis. If you have any questions about the opportunity, application, or allowances, please email outreach@lwtheatres.co.uk
Inclusion
At LW Theatres, they pride themselves on being a family of individuals and actively welcome applicants from all backgrounds, experiences and skill sets – it’s one of their core values and they believe celebrating our differences is key to success.
At the heart of their Company is a culture of inclusion where everyone feels seen and heard and can be themselves at work. Regardless of your background, and even if you have not worked in theatre before, all they ask is that you have the skills and experience required and the desire to succeed.
We have a limited number of £7 tickets available for The Final Exam: Gao Kao at the Bridewell Theatre, London.
Tickets are available from 23 - 24 August at various times.
What if the most important exam of your life became a battle you had to physically fight?
On the day of the Gaokao — China’s high-stakes university entrance examination — a student enters the exam hall expecting to prove her future. Instead, she finds herself fighting against her own examiners, each representing a different subject and a different definition of success.
Through physical theatre, stage combat, multimedia projection and storytelling, The Final Exam: Gao Kao explores the pressure to achieve, the expectations placed on young people, and the struggle to discover your own voice in a world full of “correct answers”.
Inspired by the experiences of students navigating intense educational systems, this powerful new production asks: When everything you have been taught tells you what to become, how do you decide who you really are?
A bold and emotional theatrical journey about ambition, identity and the courage to question.
Age Guidance: 12+
Running Time: 75 mins, 60 mins
Content/Production Warnings: This show contains depictions of suicide, stage combat with simulated physical violence, intense academic pressure.
