Ignition is Frantic Assembly's FREE nationwide talent development programme for young people aged 16 - 24. AND YOU ARE INVITED!
Working with 13 regional partners, Ignition sets out to find people with the potential to work in the Arts, opening doors and making them feel their presence is welcome.
No experience is necessary, and we particularly look for young people who have little or no previous involvement with theatre or the arts.
Throughout September and October, we travel across the UK to deliver Trial workshops. Visiting theatre and non-theatre spaces, these workshops are created for young people with little or no experience of theatre, who face barriers accessing the Arts, and may never have considered a pathway in the industry possible. Ignition tells them they can be part of it and that their voice is not only welcome, but needed. The programme culminates in five days of training and devising with Frantic, in London, producing original shows for a public audience.
WHAT IS A TRIAL?
A workshop to further understand and explore Frantic’s distinct approach to devising theatre.
WHAT IS THE INTENSIVE?
Selected from the trials, 24 participants will join each other for a week in London. Guided by Frantic Assembly, they will create two original performances for a public audience.
All aspects of the Intensive (travel to London, accommodation, and food) are paid for by Frantic Assembly, thereby removing financial barriers to participation.
For those that take part in the Ignition intensive, we offer a year-round access programme that continues to develop, mentor, and signpost training and career opportunities with Frantic Assembly and their partners, throughout the UK.
Sign-ups open Mon 10 Aug 2026, 9am and close Thurs 10 Sep 2026, 9pm
Sheffield Theatres are looking for a Making Room Observer to join the company of Twelfth Night.
Making Room Observer opportunities are for aspiring and early-career theatre creatives based locally to Sheffield Theatres who want to familiarise with professional rehearsal practice.
Making Room Observers are invited to observe one day each week of rehearsal, and two days of technical rehearsals. Making Room Observers are also invited to attend a preview performance and opening night.
The Making Room Observer for Twelfth Night will receive a £350 fee to support their attendance and observation of the rehearsal process.
The Trainee Youth Theatre Assistant position is a great opportunity for an individual looking to gain facilitator experience working with a professional theatre Creative Learning team. The applicant will be assisted by the broader team to develop a broad range of skills that will help to support a further career as Youth Theatre Leader, Director or those wanting to work with young people and communities.
We are looking to recruit 2x Trainee Youth Theatre Assistant Leaders (for applicants aged 16-18)
Deadline: midday Monday 17 August 2026
Interviews will take place 24th August 2026 at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds. Applications can also be submitted by audio or video format.
The Scratch Night will take place at Etcetera Theatre, Camden on 27th October, from 7 to 8pm. We'll be selecting five scripts to be performed on the night, and all selected writers will receive a £50 participation fee.
If you've got a spooky story or script you'd love to see performed on stage, we'd love to read it.
Find out more and submit on the link below!
Submissions close: 23rd August
Workshop for aspiring or emerging playwrights: How we adapted 80 Days for a 4-hander Actor-Muso Open-Air tour across the UK.
In this hour-long workshop, Award-Winning playwright Chris Fung will guide participants through the central processes that guided his crafting of Alfresco Actors' Open Air touring script for their production of AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 DAYS. Suitable for aspiring or emerging writers interested in adapting classics for the stage or for plays with song.
If you have any access requirements for attending the workshop then please email gabbie@gabriellasills.com.
When? Wednesday 12th August 2026, 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Where? Actors' Church, WC2E 9ED
The Biyi Bándélé Bursary is a new initiative established by the family of Biyi Bándélé in partnership with Brixton House and Curtis Brown to honor the legacy of acclaimed Nigerian writer and filmmaker Biyi Bándélé. In 2024, we celebrated his life with a special memorial event at Brixton House with stories of his incredible life and works to coincide with his final novel, Yorùbá Boy Running.
In the first year, this annual award will support three emerging writers of African diaspora heritage, aged 18 and over, who are living in the UK. The award is designed to foster new talent, encourage bold storytelling, and amplify voices within theatre, film and literature. The bursaries will be awarded at an event at Brixton House in October, with the programme beginning in Spring 2027.
We welcome applications from African diaspora writers of 18 years or older who have had at least one previous work published and/or publicly produced.
Objectives:
What the Award offers:
Eligibility criteria:
For the purposes of this programme, “African diaspora heritage” refers to individuals who self-identify as being of African descent and whose ancestry includes communities historically dispersed from the African continent through migration or other forms of global movement.
Applicants are not required to provide genealogical documentation. Self-identification is sufficient.
This bursary prioritises applicants who identify as being of African diaspora heritage, in alignment with the programme’s mission to support historically underrepresented writers.
Timeline:
The Dukes are looking for up to five theatre makers/creatives to join them as Associate Artists for a period of 18 months. Theatre makers, companies or individuals from an array of artistic discipline. This could include: writers, directors, designers, producers, companies and others that may benefit from this opportunity.
What is the Associate Artist Programme?
Within our Talent Development programme, The Dukes’ ambition is for our venue to be known in the North West as a welcome hub for artists to collaborate and stretch their creative muscles. The Dukes is committed to providing support to our selected Associate Artists, who are at varying stages of their career, with the hopes of establishing a creative, empowered and balanced partnership. We also wish to bring artists together, so they too can expand their working relationships.
The Associate Artist Programme provides support such as:
*please note, The Dukes does not offer commission to artists for this programme
The Dukes also offers advocacy within Venues North and other relevant networks and events.
Application Process:
To apply, please send an expression of interest explaining why you would like to be an Associate Artist (no more than one side of A4) as well as a summary (or CV) of your experience and past work. Please send this to the email below with the subject ‘FAO: Emma Nixon - Associate Artist Application’.
Things to consider for your application:
Deadline for applications: Monday 17th August 2026
For the shortlisted artists, we will be in touch and it's likely you'll be invited to an informal meeting to discuss your work and ideas.
Cameron Mackintosh Ltd are looking for an enthusiastic and creative individual to undertake a Wigs, Hair, Make Up and Prosthetics Technician Apprenticeship on a full-time 27-month contract, in collaboration with Chichester College.
You will work directly alongside world-class wigs, hair, and make-up professionals on iconic West End and industry-leading regional productions, working towards a nationally recognised Level 3 apprenticeship. This program balances real-world production work with structured vocational learning, with 1 day per week to study and/or attend college, as well as spending 2 weeks of residential learning at Northbrook College in Worthing.
The Apprenticeship will begin in October 2026.
Riverside Writers is a six-session development programme designed for emerging playwrights looking to develop a brand-new script with expert guidance from award-winning playwright and facilitator Nadine Gray.
We're looking for 12 new writers, particularly those from communities underrepresented in theatre.
You'll receive:
-Monthly workshops
-One-to-one mentoring
-A public showcase of your work
-Industry connections and ongoing support
Programme starts: September 2026
Dates:
Showcase dates:
Hertford Regional College’s Higher Education provision in Performing Arts is designed to provide students with creative performance and management skills to develop themselves as independent artists and theatre-makers in the field of entertainment. The core focus of this course is to train students to produce, manage and sustain original theatrical work at a professional standard. Our facilities meet industry standards, and staff expertise and experience support students to prepare for industry.
Our students consistently demonstrate industry standard performances, underpinned by high attendance, leading to strong outcomes. This level 6 top-up year enables students to achieve a full BA Hons degree, providing them with a clear line of sight to employment.
This Level 6 provision has been produced in close collaboration with our partners and subject specialists at the University of Hertfordshire. The course develops students’ skills through technique classes, historical context lectures, application in rehearsal and performance, independent study, and reflective practice. Definitive module documents have been developed and refined to create a world class educational experience for our students’ Level 6 year.
Theatre and the arts have had a positive impact on the national economy and according to the Arts Council in 2018 ‘the arts and culture industry grew £390 million in a year and contributed £10.8 billion a year to the UK economy. The sector contributes £2.8 billion a year to the Treasury via taxation and generates a further £23 billion a year and 363,700 jobs.’ The report also states that 30% of this figure is combined arts and a direct 25% of this figure is theatre. Despite the pandemic affecting all industries in recent years, according to UK Theatre and Society of London Theatres ‘The theatre sector is normally responsible for directly and indirectly generating approximately £1 billion per annum in VAT revenue for HM Treasury, not including additional revenue in the form of PAYE and NI contributions. It will therefore play a vital part in the nation’s recovery.’ The arts have been supported during the time of the pandemic through the cultural support fund with the government recognising the importance and continued importance this industry has for the UK economy.
What will I be doing?
The programme consists of three modules: Advanced Character Performance, Planning New Theatrical Work & Creative Project.
Advanced Character Performance: This module enables students to critically analyse and interpret research to create a character through a devising process of original performance material informed by research. Students will perform original material in character, making choices in response to the character’s world. At the end of the module students will apply a critical self-reflection using reflective writing tools on planning, process, and product.
Planning New Theatrical Work: This module enables students to develop their own creative vision and investigate funding streams, audience markets and statutory requirements for producing and performing theatrical work.
Creative Project: This module enables students to work collaboratively to create a new original performance. Using skills and knowledge gained in previous modules students will work to create a new full-scale production. Students will explore and implement the cornerstones of performance creation.
Successful completion of:
In addition you will also need:
If you do not have the above grades in maths and English we will expect you to enrol in adult classes at the college.
Entry to this programme will also be determined by a self-tape audition submitted via an online platform.
We also welcome applicants with industry experience and will require a self-tape audition and portfolio of work.
How to Apply?
Applications are via UCAS to the University of Hertfordshire. Please use the below codes:
