Calling early career theatre artists! Make connections, start conversations

What: Pitch Up: Beginning
Date: Friday 13 November 2026
Times: 10.30am to 4pm
Location: Stanley Arts, 12 South Norwood Hill, London, SE25 6AB

house southeast theatre network is bringing Pitch Up to London, with a focus on supporting early career theatre artists. 

Hosted by Stanley Arts, Pitch Up: Beginning will help demystify the theatre industry for early career theatre artists new to connecting with venues; helping artists to understand how venues work, learn about their artist support offer, and collaborate effectively.

house will be joined by venue representatives from London and the South East including: Cambridge Junction; The Garage, Norwich; Colchester Arts Centre; Norwich Theatres; artsdepot; Stanley Arts; Chichester Festival Theatre ; Farnham Maltings and Queen's Theatre Hornchurch who will share their artist support offer, before giving the floor over to up to 20 early career artists to give a snapshot of their work and plans. 

In the afternoon, there will be two panel discussions, with industry leaders, on taking work to venues and a practical guide to marketing and selling your show. 

If you are a freelancer and there's a cost barrier to you attending Pitch Up, house have a limited number of bursaries to offer as a contribution towards your usual day rate. You will find more details on the application form.

For more information and to apply (by Wednesday 14 October 2026, 5pm), click the Opportunity Info link below!

Clear your schedule, and sound the alarms, TheatreCraft is back bigger and better than before!

This autumn, ready yourself to get stuck in at the UK’s largest FREE off-stage theatre careers event. TheatreCraft will be taking over the Royal Opera House and venues across the West End on Friday 6th November 2026.

Whether you’re dreaming of a career in theatre and don’t know where to start, or you’re an experienced professional wanting to expand your skills and your network, TheatreCraft is the event for you!

What to Expect at TheatreCraft 2026

At TheatreCraft you will have the chance to:

Discover the World of Off-Stage Roles

Theatre is more than just what happens on stage, and TheatreCraft is here to highlight the many vital roles that bring a production to life. On the day, you can explore careers in:

Whether you want to pursue a technical career, or a creative role is calling your name, there’s something for everyone at TheatreCraft!

Don’t Miss Out - Tickets Released Soon!

Mark your calendars, booking for TheatreCraft is open on the 19th October! Stay tuned and sign up to our newsletter (if you haven’t already) to be kept up to date with all things TheatreCraft. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to learn, network and find your place in the world of theatre!

Get ready to step beyond the curtain and discover the magic that makes theatre happen. We can’t wait to see you there!

For more information and to sign up to be notified when tickets release, click the Opportunity Info link below!

We have a limited number of complimentary tickets available for The Beau Defeated at the Crescent Theatre Birmingham.

Featuring final year BA Acting students at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Mary Pix’s witty Restoration comedy explores love, deception, fortune, and female independence through mistaken identities and romantic intrigue.

Performance dates:

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Key information:

*Please note running times are approximate

Creating equitable access to the industry is a core Donmar value. CATALYST is a professional development programme for those who have been historically underrepresented at the Donmar and within the sector.

We are interested in supporting artists who identify as being a part of the global majority, trans, non-binary, D/deaf or disabled, neurodivergent or from a lower socio-economic background. The programme provides key professional development for these artists to catapult their careers to the next level, preparing them to thrive and lead in the theatre sector.

About the role:

As a part of the Donmar’s CATALYST professional development training programme, the role is an opportunity for outstanding, early-career artists to receive bespoke training, both practical and observational, by assisting the Sound Designer to realise the sound design and composition for a Donmar production. The goal is to gain insight into a high-level production process while developing and strengthening your skills and artistic voice.

Terms and dates: 

Experience you will gain and what you can expect:

What you will recieve:

For more information and to apply, click the Opportunity Info link below!

The Introduction to Directing short course at Birkbeck, University of London equips you with the skills and knowledge required to practise as a professional director or independent theatre artist in today’s industry.

Led by leading practitioners, you will understand the role of a professional director and the relationships with key collaborators such as actors, writers, designers and the industry. You will gain a greater understanding of the relevant theory and methodology, supported by practical sessions to enhance your knowledge.

The course will cover:

Practical sessions will include:

This Introduction to Directing course at Birkbeck is well suited to emerging or aspiring directors. It closes with a panel discussion with an artistic director and freelancers to provide you with insights on your potential career paths. The course also offers a great taster for those wishing to study on the MFA Theatre Directing course in the future.

As a learner on this course, you will study alongside fellow professionals wishing to enhance their knowledge in the subject area, giving you the opportunity to make connections with like-minded colleagues and network.

You will receive a Birkbeck certificate of participation upon completion of the course.

This course is non-credit bearing, so carries no credit points.

For more information, click the Opportunity Info link below!

Creating equitable access to the industry is a core Donmar value. CATALYST is a professional development programme for those who have been historically underrepresented at the Donmar and within the sector.

We are interested in supporting artists who identify as being a part of the global majority, trans, non-binary, D/deaf or disabled, neurodivergent or from a lower socio-economic background. The programme provides key professional development for these artists to catapult their careers to the next level, preparing them to thrive and lead in the theatre sector.

About the role:

As a part of the Donmar’s CATALYST professional development training programme, the role is an opportunity for outstanding, early-career artists to receive bespoke training, both practical and observational, by assisting the Lighting Designer to realise the lighting design for a Donmar production. The goal is to gain insight into a high-level production process while developing and strengthening your skills and artistic voice.

Terms and dates: 

Experience you will gain and what you can expect:

What you will receive

For more information and to apply, click the Opportunity Info link below!

Gain practical insights into the business of theatre through this series of digestible digital sessions. Turn your passion into your profession.

Fundamentals:ONLINE is a series of online webinars for all young theatre-makers looking to upskill and learn more about the practical ‘business of theatre’ from a host of industry professionals.  

Whether you are looking to lay the groundwork and grow your understanding of how to establish a career in the arts or gain some valuable insights from people who have already done so, these webinars will explore key areas important to any emerging artist creating grassroots theatre and trying to make their way.

Session Topics:

  1. Producing for You: Getting Things Off the Ground with David Hewitson – 30 September
  2. Finding the Finances: Where and How to Approach Funding with Conner Milliken – 14 October
  3. Marketing & Audiences: Not What You Sell but How You Sell It with Shelley Middler – 4 November

Key Information:

For more information and to book, click the Opportunity Info link below!

Introducing The Youth Theatre Together Map!

Click the Opportunity Info link below to find a youth theatre near you. Search by adding a location, organisation name, age range, activity or region into the search bars.

Through in-house productions, industry based placements and hands-on training, you’ll learn all relevant skills relating to the work of the production technician in theatre, events, and other areas of the entertainment industry.

Course overview

With technology at its core, this course offers practical, hands-on training in a variety of high-end lighting, sound, and video systems – skills that are in high demand for the theatre, events, film and television industries in Wales and across the rest of the UK.

You’ll have classes given by leading professionals operating at the top of their field, alongside several production placements, both based at the College and with our industry partners here in Wales.

With your placements, developing your expertise for a technical career in the creative industries is only one part of it. These experiences will also help you to build communication and team working skills that are essential to thriving in collaborative environments.

After graduation, you could take on roles such as a production electrician, lighting technician or programmer, sound and system engineer, video operator or programmer, among many more.

Why study this course?

  • All but two of the modules are designed to replicate the experience of work-based learning. You’ll work with state-of-the-art entertainment industry technology such as, but not limited to, automated lighting and consoles, digital sound systems, video projection and production electrics.
  • You’ll train with a team of staff who are highly skilled industry professionals. They offer you not only first-rate teaching in current best practices, but mentorship and networking opportunities as well.
  • For your placements within the second year at the College, you’ll have a lead production role, under the supervision and guidance of a senior technician, working with the various technical teams (video, lighting, sound) during the fit up of Richard Burton Theatre Company productions.
  • Throughout your training, you’ll work alongside staff from the design and stage-management departments and interact with students from across the College’s performing arts courses. These collaborations will help you to develop an understanding of and empathy of the other fields of practice within the creative arts.
  • Your external placement will take place with one of our leading industry partners, such as the Welsh National Opera, Stage Sound Services, Figure of Eight Events or Sherman Theatre. This opportunity not only gives you practical, real-world experience, but it also allows you to meet and create a network of contacts within the industry.
  • For up to three years after you complete your course, you have the option to ‘top up’ your qualification. You can do this by completing an additional year of study to gain a level 6 qualification as part of our BA (Hons) Stage Management and Technical Theatre.
  • You’ll have talks from, and get to meet, industry professionals from a range of different disciplines, who are regularly invited to speak here at the College – giving you a chance to widen your professional network in readiness for your life after graduation.
  • You’ll take part in visits to local theatre companies, giving you a feel for what the industry is really like. On occasion, when major productions visit Cardiff, we’ll try to arrange visits to the production and organise a tour or talk for your cohort.

Through work experience and hands-on training, you’ll learn how to plan, draught, construct and install sets to a professional standard whilst working on our numerous public productions.

Course overview

Work placements and hands-on training in our workshops are at the centre of this specialist course that focuses on building sets for theatrical productions.

From day one in our state-of-the-art workshops at Llanishen Studios, you’ll learn fundamental construction techniques in carpentry, metalwork and welding. But you’ll also delve into using digital tools that are essential in set construction, such as SketchUp and Auto Cad, and computer numerical control (CNC) equipment.

Following your workshop training, you’ll then become more familiar with the theatre environment, learning basic skills in access equipment, rigging and flying systems. You’ll also gain greater insight into the roles and duties of relevant team members and become involved in the load-in and fit-up of productions here at the College.

The bulk of this course, which is the only one of its kind in the UK, consists of work placements – some of which will be held at the College. The others will take place externally with our professional partners, which are some of the largest and most prestigious companies from the TV, film and theatrical industries in Wales and the UK.

In our welcoming creative environment, you’ll build all the professional, practical and technical skills you need to secure a construction technician role after graduation – a position that’s highly in demand.

Why study this course?

  • Your skills will be in demand – there’s currently a shortage of suitably qualified entry-level technicians in the stage and screen industries.
  • You’ll be guided by expert practitioners who are currently working in today’s industry. They offer you not only first-rate teaching, but mentorship and networking opportunities as well.
  • Your cohort is small – so you’ll receive a very high level of individual support and attention during your course.
  • We’ve partnered with some of the largest companies in the UK, who offer our students professional work placements, these include Welsh National Opera, Cardiff Theatrical Services, Bay Productions, Wild Creations, and Bad Wolf.
  • You’ll take on increasingly high levels of responsibility for creating and installing stage sets for our in-house productions, including opera and musical theatre. You’ll take on the role of construction leader in at least one of your placements. As part of this work, you’ll follow the design process, work with the designer to produce the required construction drawings, lead the construction and the final fit-up of the set.
  • You’ll be based at our large and superbly equipped workshops at Llanishen Studios, which are the largest and best equipped of any competitive conservatoire.
  • At the end of the two-year course, you'll have the option to ‘top-up’ your qualification and receive a BA (Hons) in Design for Performance by completing an additional year of study specialising in scenic construction.
  • Alongside your placements, you’ll have evening classes at the College to help you develop commercial and financial awareness, as well as project management communications and leadership skills.
  • Collaboration runs through everything we do here. You’ll train alongside other design and stage-management students, as well as those studying our performing arts courses. This kind of work helps you to develop an understanding and empathy of other creative arts disciplines – but it also helps you to build partnerships that can last long after you graduate.
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