These pathways are tailored for emerging Directors, Choreographers, Musical Directors, Designers, Lighting Designers, Stage Managers, Wardrobe Assistants and Technicians aged 16 to 23 who are in training or recently graduated from Higher Education.
Applications are open for 2025. There is £25 application fee which gives access to preparatory online sessions, offering skill building and group mentorship. Following these sessions you will have the opportunity to apply for a specific role on a production.
Every year, we run courses around the UK for young people ages 14 to 25 who want to become members of the National Youth Theatre.
Entry to these courses is via audition only, and auditions are held between October 2024 and March 2025. There are three different routes you can take to audition, depending on where you’re based and how much availability you have:
You can only audition via one route each year, so have a read through each one before applying to decide which option works best for you.
Save the Date | 3 February 2026
Following last years inaugural event, we're delighted to be inviting the next generation of curious minds to another unmissable day of discovery in the creative industries. Dive into inspiring sessions with creative organisations large and small. Meet with artists, designers, tattooists, theatre-makers, writers and creatives, and find out about careers that you didn’t even know existed.
Whether you're curious about theatre, visual arts, design, writing, music or beyond, this event is crafted to ignite your potential, spark ideas, and show you the endless possibilities ahead. If you’re a student choosing GCSE options, next step pathways, or you’re ready to survey the employment landscape, then this careers fair is for you.
Focussing on creative roles across a variety of industries, this is your opportunity to access presentations, panel discussions, TED-style talks, interactive stands, competitions, CV sessions – all led by professionals at the top of their game.
Receive guidance, and quiz experts on apprenticeships, trainee schemes, career pathways and employment opportunities. Whether you’re looking to explore design, writing, music, a skilled trade, technical production, digital creation, gaming, public speaking, theatre or more, we can help.
The Creative Industries Careers Day is free to attend but booking is essential. We recommend a minimum three-hour visit, either for the morning or afternoon session. Keynote presentations and discussions will take place between 11.45 – 1.15pm, at the beginning or end of your visit.
If you’re serious about a career in makeup artistry, our 4-Month Hair and Makeup Course is the perfect choice.
Led by award-winning makeup designers at CBMA Makeup Academy in London, this intensive, hands-on program covers everything from beauty makeup to special effects (SFX) techniques. You’ll work closely with industry professionals to master the essential skills needed for film, TV, and fashion. By the end of this course, you’ll be ready to create a wide range of looks, from classic beauty to intricate special effects, giving you the tools to launch your makeup artistry career.
If you’re a musician looking to further develop your skills, knowledge, and understanding to get into higher education or music employment then this is the right course for you. Offering flexibility, industry insights, and practical music skills, this course will give you everything you need to achieve your dreams.
Studying a BTEC in Music (Performing) will build on your existing knowledge in key areas including performance skills, composition and listening skills, analytical and presentation skills, and careers in the music industry. The course involves written, analytic, practical, and social skills ranging from performance to self-expression. Units cover Practical Music Theory & Harmony, Professional Practice in the Music Industry, Ensemble Music Performance, and Composing Music. You’ll also be free to use our industry standard recording studio. Plus, visits to local venues and London’s West End will take you beyond the campus.
Possible career paths
Your Assessment
On this course you will study:
Performance workshops are all designed to help improve your skills, confidence and performance ability.
This one year course is for anyone with and an interest in learning more about acting. Whilst experience is useful, we welcome anyone with an enthusiasm and passion for the subject area.
Successful students can work in a range of roles, these may include working in creative industries such as screen acting, stage performance, directing, teaching, script writing, producing, designing or working in arts management and administration.
Successful completion of this course not only prepares you for employment within the music industry but also provides an excellent grounding to go on to a more advanced course such as our Level 3 in Music Performance or Music Technology.
If music performance, or music sequencing and production, DJing, or sound production and recording are your thing, then look no further! This course will develop your music technology and or performance skills in order to follow a route that could lead to a career in the music industry or study at a higher level. If you’re willing to work hard and strive to succeed, then this course will give you the valuable skills needed to do just that within the music industry.
Music Technology: During this extended certificate course you will cover music sequencing and production, DJ skills, sound production and recording, music production and remixing techniques, and learn about working in the music industry. Music Performance: Throughout this one year extended certificate course you will study a variety of music performance skills as well as an introduction to music technology units. These include working in the music industry, music for performance, music ensemble skills, music sequencing and production, song writing skills and rehearsal skills
Fees: £2,583.00
Full-time courses are fully funded for 16 to 18-year-olds. For age 19+, various funding options are available.
On successful completion of this introductory course you will gain a great idea of what is involved in performing arts and music. You can use it to move up to courses such as Level 2 Diploma in Skills for Performing Arts or Skills for Music & Music Technology, or other level 2 qualifications.
If you have the passion to succeed in the music or performing arts industries, then this course could be the perfect starting point. If you’re willing to work hard, this course will provide you with the opportunities to develop essential performing arts and music skills and help forge a career in the creative industries.
Throughout this one year course you will study a variety of music and performing arts skills as well as an introduction to music technology units. These include working in the performing arts, performance skills, acting, dance and music skills, performance workshops and employability skills.
Fees: £1,417.00
Full-time courses are fully funded for 16 to 18-year-olds. For age 19+, various funding options are available.
Studying A Level Dance will see you learn about leading practitioners in the dance field including the Rambert Dance Company.
You’ll also develop your choreographic ability with solo and group pieces and learn repertoire in groups to perform.
Throughout the course, you’ll learn to enhance your analytical abilities to examine professional dance works and an area of dance history for written exams.
Visits to the theatre are essential to support the development of your dance analysis and you will watch live professional dance works by leading touring companies such as Rambert, Motionhouse or Matthew Bourne.
We will also visit the Move It conference in March to support industry development and progression.
Possible career paths
Your Assessment
This course is designed to equip students with the skills needed to pursue roles in the technical theatre and stage management industry.
The course offers a high degree of practical experience to take students through the various grades of technical theatre and stage management with the ultimate goal of students entering the profession after completion. Upon completion of the programme students will have a considerable amount of experience working on our vast output of public performances with professional directors; students will also have a sizeable portfolio of work which will help them to gain employment.
Students will study a broad range of areas before moving into an area for specialism. This will be facilitated by a core team of technical professionals and a wider range of industry freelancers. This will help to create relationships for future employment in the sector.
