Applications for SYC 2026 are now open!
Storyhouse Young Company (SYC) is a FREE acting training programme for 18–25-year-olds who are interested in performing.
SYC is a 2-phased programme offering 16 weekly training sessions of practical workshop and masterclasses with professional artists. Followed by an intensive 4 week rehearsal and production period with a leading professional director.
SYC is designed to give you the opportunity to develop your theatre and performance skills. You will be supported by a team of professional artists with a wealth of experience in the industry to make a show to be presented in our theatre spaces.
When do sessions happen?
The programme will start in January 2026 with weekly training sessions every Tuesday evening. The 4-Week Rehearsal phase will begin in May with rehearsals happening every night (Monday-Friday).
Do I need to have experience?
You do not need to have experience to apply. SYC is a training programme and an opportunity to gain performance skills and experience.
How many people do you recruit to SYC?
We recruit between 13-16 young people per year to join SYC.
Application Process
Auditions will be on Monday 15 & Tuesday 16 December 2025.
Are you curious about how theatre really works behind the scenes? Interested in lighting, sound, video and automation? Are you aged between 14 and 18? Then our free technical theatre programme could be for you!
Nationwide Young Technicians offers an exciting opportunity to:
You do not need theatre or technical experience to join our Nationwide Young Technicians programme, just be curious about what goes on behind the scenes.
In weekly online Zoom workshops you will be introduced to the basics of technical theatre through demonstrations and practical activities.
This project is free to take part in.and runs on Tuesday evenings, 5pm - 8pm from Tuesday 13 January 2026 to Tuesday 24 March 2026. In order to apply you must be able to attend all of the sessions.
Who is this course for?
We are committed to diversity and access by prioritising engaging young people that we recognise are currently underrepresented in technical theatre:
There are up to 50 places available on the course, priority will be given to those who show a passion for theatre and interest in backstage, especially those that identify with any of the underrepresented groups in the industry.
A free introduction to playwriting course, led by nationally-renowned writer, Tom Wells, for first-time playwrights or those new to the idea of playwriting.
Learn how to write a play from scratch with the Middle Child Writers’ Group, an annual programme with a track record of turning aspiring theatre makers into commissioned playwrights.
You don’t need to have written anything before, you just need to have a few good stories to tell – funny stories, sad stories, tough stories, tender stories – stories we’re eager to see on Hull stages.
How it works
Selected writers take part in a series of five weekly workshops at our new theatre on Humber Street, focused around finding your voice as a playwright.
You will then begin work on a short scene, in your own time, which will receive feedback from Tom Wells and Middle Child literary manager, Matthew May.
These will then be performed in public by professional actors, script-in-hand, at Fresh Ink: Hull Playwriting Festival 2026.
Who can apply
This group is for first-time playwrights or those very new to playwriting.
It is open to any individual who is:
A writing group for working class people in Hull and East Yorkshire who want to explore politics, class and community through theatre.
You can be a seasoned writer or have never written anything before - just bring your unique experience and a few stories worth sharing.
How it works
Selected participants will join five weekly reading group sessions at Middle Child’s new Humber Street home, reading and discussing powerful plays by working class writers.
You’ll then take part in five writing workshops, led by five of the country’s leading working class playwrights, offering tools and tips towards developing your own short plays.
The reading group will be facilitated by Middle Child literary manager Matthew May and artistic director Paul Smith, while the writing workshops will be delivered by different writers and hosted together by working class theatre-maker, Rabbey.
Participants will then work on a short scene, with the support of Matthew May, to be performed by professional actors as part of Fresh Ink 2026, our annual playwriting festival in Hull.
Who can apply?
This group is for working class writers of any experience level who wish to explore writing about class.
It is open to any individual who:
A free introduction to playwriting programme for 16–25 year olds from Hull and East Yorkshire.
Thanks to support from the I Am Fund, Middle Child is able to launch No Dress Code: a new programme to increase access to theatre for 16–25 year olds in our region.
This includes a free introduction to playwriting short course, taking place across the February half-term break, led by renowned playwright Lydia Marchant (Mumsy, Eastenders, British Scandal).
Over the course of four days, Lydia will share her writing expertise through practical sessions to learn new playwriting skills, find your voice and write your first ever play, to be performed by professional actors.
These pieces will then be featured at Fresh Ink: Hull Playwriting Festival 2026, amongst our wider programme of new plays.
Who can apply?
This free programme is open to any 16–25 year old with a HU postcode.
This course is a perfect introduction to professional playwriting for young people with an interest in theatre, and how plays are made, from first idea to final performance.
The brand-new series of In Dialogue - the podcast for emerging artists, is now here. Whether you’re an aspiring theatre-maker, performer, writer, director or producer, then this one’s for you.
Across four episodes, these five artists dive into topics like nailing your audition, building creative partnerships, touring as a performer and producing autobiographical work.
If you're looking to elevate your creativity and your career, make sure to tune in – this is one series you won’t want to miss!
First episode is now available to stream, search Scottish Youth Theatre wherever you get your podcasts or use the link in the bio to listen now.
Collective Acting Studio's BA Acting degree course offers full-time industry-focused actor-training.
This course places a strong emphasis on screen acting – with 50% of the curriculum devoted to this area of the industry – alongside a rigorous training for the stage.
During our BA Acting you will:
There will also be an emphasis on fostering the skills needed to create your own work – such as screenwriting and producing.
Study in state-of-the-art theatre and studio spaces situated in our beautiful Grade 2-listed building – just 10 minutes from London’s West End.
At Collective we champion groups who have traditionally been underrepresented within the Performing Arts – specifically in terms of ethnicity, disability and class.
Belong to a diverse and inclusive community where everyone is welcome!
Being in a Collective class, is like entering a room full of energy. Where actors will constantly be pushing forward their work as actors – and more importantly as creatives. Everyone is offered a chance for their input on the work, and the teachers set a culture of holding ourselves as a creative to a high standard.
BONY FONSECA, BBC’S EASTENDERS
The Curriculum:
YEAR 1
YEAR 2
During the second year you will undertake more stylised and genre-based forms of acting.
Projects include:
YEAR 3
The final year will focus on public performance and preparation for the industry.
Projects include:
Entrance to the course is via audition.
Guildhall School of Music & Drama’s Backstage Roadshow will take a series of FREE backstage skills workshops directly into UK state schools, introducing children and young people to the variety of creative pathways and career opportunities that exist within theatre, live events, television and film.
Led by industry professionals and designed by the School’s Production Arts staff, the Backstage Roadshow will take professional equipment into schools to provide a crucial insight into one of the UK’s fastest growing sectors and inspire young people to train and work in the creative industries.
Our team will also be offering full technical support to two primary school productions each year, bringing our lighting, sound, and stage management equipment, along with staff to help run your show.
How it works
The Backstage Roadshow will run for the Academic Years of 2024/25 and 2025/26, with support offered for one Primary School production in December and one in June or July.
What do we bring to your school?
For workshops, please complete your expression of interest via this form.
Shortlisted schools will be contacted for an online meeting to discuss the options, prior to a site-visit being arranged ahead of any firm offer for the Backstage Roadshow to visit.
Primary schools, please register here.
Join one of RADA’s upcoming Open Days for an inside look at our Foundation Degree in Technical Theatre and Stage Management.
You’ll have the opportunity to meet our students and staff, explore our training spaces, visit technical departments, and find out more about life at RADA including funding, student support, and career pathways.
Open Days 2025-2026:
At RADA, we enable exceptional technicians, managers, designers and makers to thrive through world-leading, industry-focused training that blends hands-on experience with professional practice.
Whether you’re exploring lighting, sound, props, scenic art, or stage management, our open days are the perfect chance to discover how RADA can help you become a highly skilled and creative theatre-maker.
12 weeks of workshops covering basic acting techniques, scene study, auditioning/ self-taping, career development and more, taught by working industry professionals!
This is an online acting course for beginner/intermediate level actors.
The actors in the course will have the opportunity to learn from working and professional actors, agents, directors and casting directors from London and Hollywood. The curriculum is designed to provide a comprehensive overview of the industry, including acting techniques/casting sessions, scene study, auditioning and self-taping, voice work (covering accents and voice techniques) and career development. The course is suitable for international students as it will be conducted online via Zoom.
At the end of the course, students will have gained a solid foundation in acting techniques, an understanding of the industry, and the skills and confidence needed to pursue a career in acting. Additionally, students will finish the course with an online showcase to industry guests – directors/agents/casting Directors and producers including agency RS talent and film producer Alex Fidelski.
Students will receive access to our online Actors Gym Membership, where they can practice their craft in between classes online (at home) develop their self-tape technique and complete the self-tape course and then upload practice self-tapes, and network with other actors and industry professionals.
