Are you a Wandsworth woman of Caribbean heritage interested in learning more about playwriting? Read on, this could be for you!
Wave Writers is a series of free, playwriting workshops for local women from African and Caribbean backgrounds launching this October at Arches Lane Theatre.
We invite you to have fun while getting creative, learning some new skills, and making new friends.
Local playwright Zakiyyah Deen will lead our meetings, creating a supportive, social environment as we craft stories celebrating African and Caribbean culture. All levels of experience are welcome.
After our four session, Zakiyyah will write a short play inspired by all we've shared. We'll meet up in November to read the play on our mainstage. Fun times!
8, 15, 22 & 29 October 7:00pm - 9:30pm
Can't make all the sessions? Not to worry; join us for the ones you can.
We’re looking to recruit 11 Youth Forum members and appoint a Youth Forum Chair…
We are reaching out to ask you to share an exciting opportunity with all creative and enthusiastic young people you work with, aged 18 to 30.
Our charity, dedicated to enriching young lives through theatre, is recruiting for a Youth Forum offering young people valuable, hands-on experience in arts governance, leadership, and accessibility.
We believe these voluntary roles would be a perfect complement to their studies and professional goals in the arts, education, or non-profit sectors. They present a chance for them to help shape the future direction of our charity. No previous theatre experience is needed - just commitment and passion!
We are looking for 11 members who have an interest in theatre and the performing arts to:
We are also seeking one exceptional individual for this vital dual role - it’s perfect for someone looking to:
Applications are now OPEN to join the 2026 cohort of SPRINGBOARD.
Springboard is our free training programme that aims to find, shape, inspire, champion and sustain the next generation of performers from underrepresented backgrounds.
This groundbreaking programme is a performance pathway into employment designed specifically to support young people aged 18-25yrs who live in West London, have zero to little formal drama training and are currently underrepresented in theatre.
Each year, 10 new trainees are enrolled in the programme, benefitting from a bursary that will support them while they take part in a wide range of development initiatives including performances, workshops, masterclasses, artist development and opportunities both on and off the stage.
Trainees receive hundreds of engagement opportunities over their attachment to the Lyric. They learn from leading industry practitioners in masterclasses led by Main House directors; Lyric Artistic Associates Nina Steiger, Tinuke Craig, Tanika Gupta, Philip McMahon and Good Teeth; and the Lyric’s Associate Director Nicholai La Barrie and Artistic Director Rachel O’Riordan.
Submissions are now OPEN for the second year of the Bill Cashmore Award: One Act Play Prize
The Bill Cashmore Award, presented by Young Lyric, offers a paid opportunity for two new one-act plays by writers aged 18-30, to be professionally produced at the Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. The two winning plays will run as a double bill and will be performed by the Lyric’s Springboard trainee actors in Autumn 2026.
The two successful writers will:
We particularly welcome submissions from those who are underrepresented in theatre and/or situated in areas culturally underserved. Please see our FAQs for more details.
Elemental is our exciting artist development programme, supporting early-career artists in developing their craft, expanding their industry insight and strengthening their practice. Our applications for our 2026 cohort are now open.
Over the course of a year, Elemental artists gain hands-on experience working on a Watermill production, connect with leading industry professionals and benefit from networking and ongoing professional development opportunities
Our first cohort of artists have had first-hand experience working alongside the creative team on Watermill productions through the year, including The King’s Speech, Pinocchio, Piaf and Jesus Christ Superstar. Beyond the Watermill, the programme has exposed Elemental artists to unique opportunities and cultivated meaningful connections within the wider sector, including shadowing the lighting designer for Starlight Express, meeting Elle While Pentabus’ Artistic Director and observing technical rehearsals for My Neighbour Totoro.
Elemental is a paid programme, with support for travel and access costs to help remove barriers for participating artists.
We welcome artists from all theatre disciplines, including Lighting and Sound, Movement Directors, Set or Costume Designers and Musical Directors.
Elemental is now entering its second year and applications are now open. Please apply by 5pm Monday 27 October and see the application pack below for further information on the programme and how to apply.
If you’re aged 18-25 with an interest in creating theatre and performing, this group meet weekly on Thursdays from 7.30pm-9.30pm.
Sessions are guided by our team of professional artists to give you the opportunity to develop as a performer. You will explore techniques and creative processes that can contribute to a future career in the arts.
This activity is free and no previous experience is needed!
Want to know more and meet the team? Come to our Open Day on Tue 28 Oct, 3.30pm-6pm.
A hands-on and interactive morning of workshops, behind-the-scenes venue tour, music industry careers sessions and career pathway discussions, all leading to a creative challenge for ages 14-18.
Join us on either 19th or 26th November.
This opportunity is part of the West of England Discover! Creative Careers Takeover, in collaboration with: Get Into Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, Bristol Beacon, The Redgrave, Prime Theatre, The Egg Theatre, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and Bristol Hippodrome.
Please note, this is for school groups only. Sign up via the Discover! Opportunity Finder.
Come and find out all about the roles behind-the-scenes in a theatre.
An informative and fun morning for 11-14-year-olds who want to find out more about what it takes to run a theatre – who works behind the curtain, how did they end up here, and what do they actually do each day?
Meet a range of people including backstage technicians, front of house staff, marketeers, fundraisers, events managers, finance team members, actors, directors, and producers...
This opportunity is part of the West of England Discover! Creative Careers takeover, in collaboration with: Get Into Theatre, Bristol Beacon, St George’s, The Redgrave, Prime Theatre, The Egg Theatre, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School and Bristol Hippodrome.
Please note, this is for school groups only. Sign up via the Discover! Opportunity Finder or via Bristol Old Vic's website.
Experience a behind-the scenes tour and interactive sessions throughout the building, with expert advice on career pathways into theatre and live entertainment at one of Bristol's most iconic venues!
Book for either the 4th or 6th November.
This opportunity is part of the West of England Discover! Creative Careers takeover, in collaboration with: Get Into Theatre, Bristol Old Vic, Bristol Beacon, St George’s, The Redgrave, Prime Theatre, The Egg Theatre and Bristol Old Vic Theatre School.
Please note, this is for school groups only. Sign up and book via the Discover! Opportunity Finder.
Financing your studies may seem daunting at first, but help is at hand. Bristol Old Vic Theatre School will provide all the support you need to take control of your finances.
For fees purposes, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School classifies students as UK or International. Your residency classification determines the amount you pay in tuition fees as well as the financial support available to help towards tuition fee costs and living expenses.
