Worcester Theatres are proud to announce an exciting opportunity for 16–21-year-olds to develop skills and gain hands-on experience in the technical theatre industry through the NT Connections Technical Theatre Programme, held at the Swan Theatre in Worcester. Committed to breaking down barriers within the arts industry, Worcester Theatres aim to make careers in theatre more accessible to young and emerging talent across Worcestershire.
The NT Connections Technical Theatre programme is a free opportunity and is ideal for any young person looking to build new skills, get real backstage experience, and learn how theatre really works behind the scenes of a production. The programme will take place over three days on Monday 30 March, Tuesday 31 March and Wednesday 1 April 2026 at the Swan Theatre.
Participants will learn the basics of stage lighting, sound and backstage communication systems, and take part in specialist workshops including lighting programming, sound mixing, flying and rigging, and hands-on sessions using QLab software. They will also gain practical experience with professional technical equipment and provide technical support for productions during the NT Connections Festival 2026 at the Swan Theatre. A £50 travel bursary will be available to support travel costs, and the NT Connections Technical Theatre Programme is funded by the National Theatre.
The NT Connections Technical Theatre programme can be the start of a promising career in the technical theatre industry, as proven by Worcester Theatres’ Theatre Technician, Lewis Carey who took part in the programme back in 2022.
Lewis Carey, Theatre Technician at Worcester Theatres said, “I first took part in the NT Connections Technical Theatre programme four years ago at Worcester Theatres, and got to oversee how a professional theatre puts on multiple shows. After completing my first successful NT Connections technical theatre programme in 2022, I was hired as a Junior Theatre Technician though an apprentice scheme at Worcester Theatres.
I have since been involved in the NT Connections Festivals for the last three years, with last year running all of the lighting programming and designing for the events. The programme gave me a great opportunity to start my career and work with people who have lots of experience in theatre and all aspects of the technical industry.”
Step behind the stage with this immersive six-month traineeship, gaining hands-on production experience and learning how world-class innovative shows are brought to life.
The Royal Court Theatre is internationally-recognised as the UK’s leading theatre for new work, with a 70-year commitment to developing and championing talent on and off stage. Each year it nurtures hundreds of emerging practitioners through structured development, placements and learning programmes – supporting them all the way through to professional debuts and major productions.
Its mission is defined by taking risks on stages – inspiring audiences, artists and communities, and empowering new and diverse voices to drive forward national culture and public conversation. Every year Royal Court reaches over 100,000 people between its two theatres, touring productions and youth and community projects. Coming at an exciting time during its 70th Anniversary, this traineeship ensures both practical learning and a real dose of inspiration and excitement for someone new to the industry.
This production traineeship provides a supported, developmental role in our busy world-class backstage theatre teams – including opportunities to build to professional credits, and gain insights into future career pathways in theatre. Throughout the traineeship, the successful candidate will undertake supervised, developmental tasks that build confidence in rehearsal support, technical periods and performances, giving direct insight and hands-on experience into how plays are developed, rehearsed and staged in a world-leading contemporary theatre. There will also be opportunities to work alongside globally renowned artists, brand new writers and youth participants. The six-month traineeship will follow a structured timeline to support learning and development, potentially as follows:
Key activities
What you will gain
What we are looking for
Homegrown is Nottingham Playhouse’s pre-professional theatre artist programme, designed to support young adults who are keen to work professionally in the theatre industry.
A professional rehearsal process leading up to a Studio theatre performance in July. Following a weekly rehearsal schedule, you will be offered professional direction at Nottingham Playhouse.
You will also have access to:
• 1-2-1 meetings with industry experts.
• Production photographs.
• Discounted access to wider participation programme (Playhouse Insights, Masterclasses, other opportunities where available.)
You must be aged 18 – 30, hard working and passionate about performing in theatre.
Whether you are leaving further education and wanting to gain experience of a professional rehearsal and performance process directed by practising artists, returning from drama school or university and wanting to build professional relationships whilst gaining acting credits, or if you are considering a career in performance and want to explore this in an inclusive and welcoming environment, Homegrown could be for you.
Emma Rice Company are looking for a brilliant Technical Trainee to join the 2026 UK tour of Malory Towers as part of our Training Programme. This is a paid development opportunity for an emerging theatre technician who is keen to learn across multiple technical departments within a supportive, ensemble-led touring environment.
The Technical Trainee will work closely with the Stage Management, Sound, Lighting and Wardrobe teams, gaining hands-on experience of professional touring practice.
This role is designed to support departments while learning, with responsibilities and opportunities shaped around the Trainee’s experience and development goals.
The Trainee will join during rehearsals, ahead of technical rehearsals and previews, allowing for a supported introduction to the production and touring processes. The Trainee will be employed for every UK touring week.
Our Trainee will have access to mentoring for up to a year after the paid Traineeship.
Line Management: The Head of Production and Company Manager are accountable for the Technical Trainee. Other support will be provided by our Head of Training and Participation Producer, with regular check-ins to reflect on learning and development throughout the process.
This is a paid traineeship and forms part of the Emma Rice Company Training Programme.
Love to dance and aged 12–22? Join National Youth Dance Wales, Ballet Cymru and National Dance Company Wales for an exciting Dance Discovery Day in North Wales!
Explore new dance styles
Meet professional dance artists
Fun, inclusive & supportive
All experience levels and dance styles welcome
This event is kindly supported by Theatr Clwyd.
National Youth Arts Wales (NYAW) is delighted to announce FREE Folk & Jazz Discovery Days taking place across Wales this March, offering young musicians aged 14–22 the chance to find their sound!
Designed for musicians of Grade 4 and above, these one-day workshops provide a fun, inclusive and supportive environment to experience folk and jazz music with other musicians.
Produced by founding member of Welsh Folk group Calan, Angharad Jenkins, and led by experienced tutors, the Discovery Days will introduce participants to the foundations of folk and jazz through practical workshops, group playing and creative exploration, ending the day with an informal sharing to parents and carers.
National Youth Arts Wales would like to encourage musicians of all traditional music backgrounds to take part in the Discovery Days this March – whether your background is Welsh Folk, or any other world music tradition, these sessions will be fun for all!
Are you interested in FREE training and a PAID work placement in exciting London theatres?
Are you interested in FREE training and a PAID work placement in exciting London theatres?
Role title: CHANGE THE SCRIPT : West End Technical Trainee (Westminster)
Description of the role: Change the Script is an award winning (UK Theatre Award for workforce 2023), unique and exciting training and employment programme in London’s West End, providing unemployed Westminster with the opportunity to achieve recognised accreditations and paid work experience – in partnership with Westminster City Council.
Participants will undertake three weeks of free interactive pre-employment training and other practical certifications and then spend 49 days putting that learning into practice across multiple ATG Entertainment world-class theatre settings.
The training will be tailored to prepare participants for a successful work placement in the often hidden ‘off stage’ roles in a theatre.
This opportunity is exclusively for Westminster residents currently out of work or seeking employment.
Successful completion of the programme could lead to securing sustainable employment or an apprenticeship in a trade or a technical theatre-based support role.
Timings:
Application Deadline: Monday 23rd Feb 2026; 23:59
Salary: 49 days of paid work experience paid at £13.15 PAYE per hour plus a brand-new pair of safety boots (please provide your size as part of the application process).
Hours: 8.00am – 5.00pm Monday to Friday (including one hour of unpaid break time, hours may vary on placement).
Application process: Please register your interest online
The process is intended to be as simple as possible so a full CV is not required, you just need to tell us a bit about yourself, your transferable skills and why you would like to take part in the programme.
If you do not have access to a computer you can still apply or just find out more about the programme by coming to one of our upcoming recruitment afternoons. You can find out more about these by calling ATG Creative Learning on 07830817239 or emailing westendclcp@atgentertainment.com
The ‘Change the Script’ programme is a fantastic way to get free accredited training, an appreciation for the world of construction and access to the arts industry on your doorstep, all while being paid.
You’ve written your story – congratulations! But what now? There’s a wealth of options for authors, as well as a huge array of information out there to pile through.
In this four week course, we’ll be walking you through the fundamentals of getting your writing published in a variety of different areas as well as some of the ways you can earn money from your fiction.
Week 1 – Getting Short Stories Published
Week 2 – Getting a Literary Agent
Week 3 – An Introduction to Self-Publishing
Week 4 – Making a Living as a Writer
Additional Information:
How to book:
Get an exclusive peek behind the curtains at Lawrence Batley Theatre on this in-person backstage tour!
Young people with an interest in theatre are invited to an exclusive backstage tour at Huddersfield’s iconic venue. This is a rare chance to explore the hidden spaces audiences never see and learn how live performances are brought to life.
You’ll get:
Whether you’re thinking about a future in theatre or just curious about how it all works, this tour offers an inspiring introduction to life behind the curtain.
How to book:
Free creative writing workshops for Autistic writers aged 18+ in the North of England (Derby and Nottingham included).
Join Gemma Lees and Via MacNab for a series of twice-a-month creative writing workshops. Workshops take place online for 1.5 hours at a time and are 100% free. Each session, Gemma and Via will walk you through creative writing exercises to inspire you and encourage your creativity, after which you will have the option to share your writing if you would like among likeminded writers in a safe and open environment.
This group is for Autistic adults in the North of England. Led by Romany Gypsy poet Gemma Lees, we offer a warm welcome to all - with a special invitation to GRTSB (Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showmen & Boater) communities.
Dates & Times:
How to book:
