Step ‘Behind the Curtain’ and take part in a free backstage taster workshop. Explore the work of the sound, stage management, and lighting teams in theatre, and discover the technical skills that bring a show to life.
This workshop is for those aged 13–17 who are curious about how the magic of theatre really happens. You’ll get hands-on experience, trying out equipment, learning the basics of each backstage role, and meeting inspiring professionals working in the industry today.
Whether you love tech, teamwork, or just discovering something new, this workshop is the perfect first step into the creative world of backstage. No experience necessary.
These free workshops are developed in partnership with Backstage Niche.
Learn it. Try it. Make it happen.
Emma Rice Company Training Programme is offering a unique opportunity for theatre makers aged 18+. The theatre maker taster is a free, day-long workshop.
In this practical workshop members of our Malory Towers show team will introduce participants to the Emma Rice Company method. You will play games, learn songs and devise. You will experience first-hand how Emma Rice Company builds an ensemble and creates their critically acclaimed shows.
Actors, singers, musicians, dancers, directors, acrobats, clowns, and theatre-makers are all invited to apply. You don’t need loads of experience, but you do need to be a confident performer.
The Emma Rice Company is one of the UK’s leading ensemble theatre companies, and our performing ensemble is a vital, professional and playful part of the family. Our Training Programme runs workshops and courses to inspire the next generation of theatre makers.
At Emma Rice Company, we actively encourage people from a variety of backgrounds with different experiences, skills, and stories to join us and influence our work. We know that people who are D/deaf disabled or neurodiverse, from the global majority and / or from a lower socio-economic background are under-represented in the theatre industry. Therefore, if someone identifies as having one or multiple of these protected characteristics, we are particularly interested in meeting them.
Please note as Emma Rice Company offers this workshop around the country, preference will be given to local artists. We consider our taster as being an ideal way to connect with regional artists that we wouldn’t normally get the opportunity to meet.
Dates & Venues
Friday 8th May - Theatre Royal Bath
Friday 15th May - Belgrade Theatre
Wednesday 20th May - Brighton Festival
Friday 29th May - Leeds Playhouse
Friday 12th June - Manchester Home
Wednesday 17th June - Liverpool Playhouse
Friday 17th July - Yvonne Arnaud
Thursday 30th July - Alexandra Palace
Theatre Royal Bath - 10th April
Belgrade Theatre - 10th April
Brighton Festival - 10th April
Leeds Playhouse - 16th May
Manchester Home - 30th April
Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse - 5th May
Yvonne Arnaud - 4th June
Alexandra Palace - 17th June
Guildhall School announce 15 Easter 2026 short courses (6 of which are brand new!) for ages 18 and up. These include 4 drama courses, 2 new writing courses, and 1 new skills for the creative industry course.
Below is a selection of courses which may be of particular interest, with full course listings and links to the relevant web pages. The deadline to book for all Easter short courses is 5pm, Thursday 2 April 2026, or when the course reaches full capacity.
NEW COURSES:
Drama
Writing
Skills for creative industries
FULL LISTINGS:
Drama
Writing
Skills for creative industries
Easter Short Courses:
Drama Courses
IN-PERSON COURSES
Introduction to Screen Acting (Ages 18+) (in person)
Delivered in person from Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 April 2026, 10am – 5pm
This two-day course will introduce participants to the techniques and skills required for acting in film and television. Learn key techniques including how to prepare for a scene, be present and how to connect with their scene partner, to give authentic and truthful performances. Taught by actor, director, screenwriter, acting coach and lecturer Ryan Laccohee (Maisie Raine, Coronation Street, A&E and Silent Witness), this course is for anyone aged 18 and over interested in acting for screen.
Audition Technique: Acting (Ages 17+) (in person)
Delivered in person from Saturday 11 – Sunday 12 April 2026, 10am–5pm
This two-day course taught by Guildhall alumnus Ashley Zhangaza will give participants an insight and introduction into the tools they need to succeed. The course is for anyone aged 17 and over who has an interest in acting and would be interested in applying for Drama School or equivalent programme. During the course they will look at how to choose a speech and what to look for, practical exercises that can be used to unlock the speech and enhance understanding, discussion on the audition environment and techniques to encourage relaxation and readiness, tips and techniques to bring the speech to life. Participants will need to choose a Shakespeare speech and a modern speech that they connect with in advance of the course.
(NEW) Acting Intensive for (Ages 11–14) (in person)
Delivered in person fromTuesday 7 – Thursday 9 April 2026, 9.30am–5.30pm
This new three-day intensive acting course from anyone aged 11-14 years old, delves into modern industry practice, building upon traditional Stanislavsky-based methods. The course draws on aspects of Utah Hagen, Susan Batson and Meisner providing an efficient toolkit of tips to lift participants’ text from the page to the stage. Taught by Guildhall alumnus Aled Patrick, participants will explore a number of different scenes and monologues through the lens of various acting tools.
(NEW) Acting Intensive (Ages 15–17) (in person)
Delivered in person Friday 10 – Sunday 12 April 2026, 9.30am–5.30pm
This new three-day intensive acting course for anyone aged 15-17 years old delves into modern industry practice, building upon traditional Stanislavsky-based methods. The course draws on aspects of Utah Hagen, Susan Batson and Meisner providing an efficient toolkit of tips to lift your text from the page to the stage. Taught by Guildhall alumnus Aled Patrick, participants will gain a strong toolkit to unpack and analyse a variety of texts in preparation for performance and auditions.
Writing Courses
IN PERSON COURSES
(NEW) Creative Writing (Ages 14-17) (in person)
Easter Course: Delivered in person from Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 April 2026, 10am – 4pm
In this new two-day course, participants will explore a range of literary texts including poetry and fiction, and will use artwork, photographs and songs to inspire their own creative writing. Participants will learn to draft and develop their own stories and explore the best ways to present, perform and publish them. Led by London writer Annie Hayter, this course is for anyone aged 14 to 17 with an interest in creative writing.
(NEW) Writing a Solo Show (Ages 18+) (in person)
Delivered in person from Saturday 11 – Sunday 12 April 2026, 10am–5pm
The new course is a dynamic two-day course designed to help participants create a one-person performance from scratch. Whether they have a story, a character, or simply the desire to perform their own work, this intensive course will guide participants from idea to page — and ultimately to stage. The course is taught by award-winning writers and performers Maddie Rice and Tom Machell. Maddie Rice is known for her work on Fleabag (2016), Every Blank Ever (2018) and Handy (2019). Whilst Tom Machell is an award‑winning writer and performer from Newcastle upon Tyne, whose credits include the BBC Radio 4 sitcom Tom and Lauren are Going OOT! (2024) and the play Toast F**K (2024). As an actor Tom has recently appeared in Vera (ITV), Hullraisers (Channel 4) and Emmerdale (ITV).
Music Production in Logic Pro Intensive (Ages 14-17) (in person)
Delivered in person from Tuesday 7 – Friday 10 April 2026, 10am–5pm
This four-day course aimed at beginners aged 14 to 17 will introduce essential elements of Logic Pro, allowing you to get producing, composing and mixing. Covering sampling, synthesis, drum machines, MIDI instruments and audio mixing, the course taught David Corney will give participants the skills to realise your musical visions. Participants will be encouraged to be creative and produce their own tracks daily, with the aim of having a three-minute track by the end of the course.
Skills for creative industries
IN PERSON COURSES
(NEW) Creative Evaluation Methods: A Practical Masterclass (Ages 18+) (in person)
Delivered in person on Friday 10 April 2026, 10.30am–5pm
This new one-day in-person masterclass taught by Dr Maia Mackney explores innovative, creative, and arts-based approaches to evaluation and research. Through hands-on practice and collaborative co-design, participants will gain practical experience with creative methods and develop bespoke techniques tailored to their projects.
Discover how a theatre really works from the inside.
Chichester Festival Theatre's week‑long Work Experience programme gives you the chance to explore a wide range of departments, including Technical, Learning, Education and Participation (LEAP), Marketing, Development, Producing, Finance, Box Office and Front of House. You’ll be surprised by the huge variety of roles that make theatre happen and the many ways your talents can fit in.
They’re looking for passionate individuals who can tell them why this opportunity matters to them and what they hope to gain. By the end of the week, you’ll leave with a clearer sense of where you might belong in the arts, inspiration for future opportunities and insight into the incredible teamwork behind the work on their stages.
For more information and to apply, click the opportunity link below!
Join Masterclass for a Q&A with stars of stage and screen, Hugh Bonneville and Maggie Siff, on the set of their West End show, Shadowlands.
Beyond his notable TV and film roles – including Downton Abbey and Paddington– Hugh has built an extensive stage career, working with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Donmar Warehouse, the Old Vic and Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Similarly, alongside roles in Mad Men and Sons of Anarchy, Maggie has worked in theatres across New York and the wider US, appearing in works from new writing to classics by Shakespeare and Ibsen.
They’ll dive into their collaborative process, the challenges of bringing the complex characters of Shadowlands to life, and balancing authenticity with creation.
🔥 Bring your questions and don’t miss this opportunity to hear two critically-acclaimed actors discuss storytelling, craft and the timeless power of theatre.
📅 Friday 20 March
⏱️ 3.30-5.00pm
📍 Aldwych Theatre
🎟️ Book your place and submit your questions by visiting the webpage linked below.
During this programme you will:
You will do all of this with the guidance and support of acclaimed disabled director, Hana Pascal Keegan.
Hana, is also an experienced director of accessible, inclusive spaces. Hana will be joined by a team of other artists along the way.
You must be available for the dates below to take part in this project
Sign up via the form below or register by contacting us on 020 8510 4512
Little Angel Theatre, awarded Fringe Theatre of the Year 2024 by The Stage, is seeking an Assistant Workshop Facilitator to support its Creative Learning team. Since opening in 1961, Little Angel Theatre has been dedicated to creating inspiring puppetry and storytelling experiences for young audiences. Rooted in Islington, the theatre works closely with its diverse local community to make arts engagement accessible and inclusive for all.
The Assistant Workshop Facilitator will support the development and delivery of participatory workshops, including puppetry, drama, and arts activities for children and families. Working alongside skilled facilitators, the role involves assisting with planning, preparation, participant engagement, and evaluation to ensure workshops are welcoming, creative, and well organised.
Required:
Desirable:
DBS:
Taking place from Tuesday 7th April – Friday 10th April 2026, the programme runs daily from 10:00am until approximately 3:00pm and offers students aged 14–18 an engaging and practical insight into the many careers that exist behind the scenes in theatre.
This will be a fun and inspiring week hosted across various theatres in the West End. Across the four days, students will explore key areas of theatre-making including:
The programme provides hands-on workshops, industry insight, and the opportunity to meet professionals working across the creative industries.
As part of the experience, students will also have the opportunity to see Paddington The Musical on the Thursday afternoon, following their participation in the weeks sessions, offering a valuable chance to connect their learning with a live West End production.
This programme is ideal for students interested in Drama, Performing Arts, Design, Technical Theatre, or those curious about creative industry career pathways beyond performing.
Course fees start at £120.
This demanding and highly practical course will help you to develop and craft your audition skills.
The course is aimed at all experience levels, particularly those thinking about applying to drama school, but may also be of interest to those who want to explore a specific piece of performance text.
Course Content
This three-day course is designed to train and prepare you for acting auditions. Over the three days you will:
Please head to the opportunity link to read more about how to prepare and any materials you need to bring along to the course.
Friday 20 March - Cardiff (Evening)
Saturday 21 March - Carmarthen PM
Sunday 22 March - Aberystwyth PM
Saturday 28 March - Wrexham AM
Saturday 28 March - Mold PM
Sunday 29 March - Llandrindod Wells PM
Tuesday 31 March - Bangor (Evening)
Thursday 2 April - Newport AM
Thursday 2 April - Merthyr Tydfil PM
Saturday 4 April - Cardiff AM + PM
Tuesday 7 April - Swansea AM + PM
Wednesday 8 April - Cardiff AM
Wednesday 8 April - Treorchy PM
Head over to the opportunity link to read more about the requirements and take a look through the FAQs.
