Calling all school groups! Join The Redgrave for some technical workshops as part of Discover! Creative Careers.

Workshop 1: Introduction to Technical Theatre (KS3) Time: 10:00 – 11:00 AM - Friday 14th November

Age Range: Key Stage 3 (Years 7–9)

This hands-on workshop introduces students to the exciting world of technical theatre. Participants will explore key aspects of stagecraft, including lighting, sound, and stage management. Through practical activities, students will gain insight into the behind-the-scenes roles that bring a production to life and discover the wide range of careers available in the technical side of the performing arts.

Workshop 2: Introduction to Technical Theatre (KS4 & KS5) Time: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM - Friday 14th November

Age Range: Key Stage 4 & 5 (Years 10–13)

Tailored for older students, this interactive workshop delves deeper into the world of technical theatre. Covering lighting design, sound engineering, stage management, and production planning, it offers a comprehensive overview of the skills and pathways available in the industry. Ideal for those considering a future in theatre production or backstage roles, this session provides both inspiration and practical knowledge. Aimed at GCSE and A Level Drama students.

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, Prime Theatre, The Egg Theatre and Bristol Hippodrome.

Self-Care Workshops for Individual Artists. Artists can sign up for a maximum of 2 workshops – we will be running a waiting list.

This seminar is led and designed by Dr Annette Clancy for artists navigating the highs and lows of a professional career exploring how creative practitioners can work with disappointment to build long-term resilience.

Morning Session - Start time 10am. Finish time 12pm.

Afternoon Session - Start time 1pm. Finish time 3pm.

Tea / coffee provided at registration.

Number of places at each session - 24.


Polka’s Catapult Programme consists of two seed funding strands, which are designed to platform underrepresented Artists and to help bring brand new ideas and concepts to life. Both programmes are open to Artists at any stage of their career, and from any creative discipline. 

The TYA sector is currently significantly underrepresented with work from artists from the Global Majority, who identify as disabled, LGBTQ+, or who come from a lower socio-economic background. There is also a real need to identify brand new stories for children – those not adapted from books, tv shows or films or western fairy tales. We are looking for artists who can address these gaps, with the very best innovative new ideas for children’s theatre.

First Steps: For brand new ideas for audiences of 0-6 years

Next Steps: For taking that first draft or second R&D to the next stage for audiences of 0-12 years

Both strands offer mentoring, training, free rehearsal space, scratch performance opportunities and tickets to Polka productions. 

The Black Artists Grant (BAG) offered by Creative Debuts as a no-strings attached financial support to help Black artists. They can spend the grant on whatever they want – be that make new work, buy equipment or materials, travel, research, visit exhibitions or conferences, or to even just cover some life expenses.

This grant has been set up because Black artists are systematically under-supported by the art world; by institutions, curators, the artist-led scene, major and minor funding bodies, the market, art schools, and by audiences too.

Creative Debuts recognises that a full institutional overhaul and dismantling of racist structures is required to transform the industry permanently, but they hope in a small way that this grant will help enable recipients to continue their artistic practice when the odds are so stacked against them

There is no deadline as this is a monthly rolling grant, no age limit, and the grant does not expect any outcomes or reporting. Please only apply once, if you apply in February for example, you are still eligible for selection in a different month, all applications are kept and reviewed.

BTEC stands for the Business and Technology Education Council. BTECs are specialist work-related qualifications. They combine practical learning with subject and theory content.  
 
The BTEC study programme can be accessed from 16 years of age and is delivered by our highly trained professional artists and performing arts teachers within each learning facility over two years. Students will train and perform within our professional, purpose-built studios providing a unique and true vocational experience. 
 
As one of the oldest Musical Theatre colleges we'll ensure you maximise your true potential as you'll work closely with our working industry professionals. You will receive a high level performing arts training and work towards achieving the highest grades possible in line with our high internal standards to become the very best version of you. 
 
You will be assessed through practical performances, rehearsals, training sessions and assignments. This BTEC level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts Practice will allow you to progress onto university, audition/apply to specialist, advanced performing arts schools and/or gain employment directly into the industry.  
 
 
Recognition 
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Performing Arts Practice (Musical Theatre) is awarded by Pearson and regulated by Ofqual. It is Level 3 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework. This qualification is equivalent to 3 A-levels and worth up to 168 UCAS points. 
 
Progression 
This BTEC level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts Practice will allow learners to progress onto university, audition/apply to specialist, advanced performing arts schools and/or gain employment directly into the industry.
 
 
 
 
 

‘Creative Wellbeing’ – the title seems self-explanatory, but when does it get taught? Talked about? Not only will this workshop examine ways in which we can nurture our stress as artists, but will also look at how to identify and advocate for your boundaries - both in process and practice. What comes after you’ve said “no”? How does creative risk continue? You will be practically exploring exactly that. Other topics may include neurodiversity, burnout and supporting others. Creative Wellbeing aims to give young people aged 14-21 the language and confidence to create theatre healthily, honestly and unbound.

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.

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.

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.



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