Royal Court Theatre are looking to work with early-career directors with a background in directing and/or facilitating, with particular interest in directing new writing and developing their wider skills and abilities towards future freelance careers and artistic leadership roles. The Royal Court Trainee Director scheme has had an impressive history supporting the next generation of brilliant directors and artistic leaders, with alumni including Rufus Norris, Roy Alexander Weise, Lyndsey Turner and Milli Bhatia. We can’t wait to see who’s next.
They are currently hiring two Trainee Directors with a six month shared overlap. One position will start in January 2027; the second in June 2027; each for one year.
The successful candidate will have:
This eight-week course will develop your creative writing skills and provide you with the confidence to bring an idea for theatre to life through an active, practical approach that brings writers into collaborative exploration.
Open to anyone aged 18 and over with enthusiasm and an idea to explore whether you're a complete beginner or returning to creative writing, this course welcomes those interested in writing plays, screen projects, poetry, spoken word or performance art.
You'll develop writing techniques through practical exercises and improvisation, gain a solid understanding of structure, form and character development, and work towards a completed piece of writing by the end of the course. Optional homework (about one hour per week) is recommended to gain the most from the course, and attendance of all eight sessions is encouraged to support your progression and the benefit of the group. You'll have the opportunity to hear your writing performed by actors in the final weeks.
This opportunity will run for eight-weeks, starting 01/10/2026, on Thursdays 7.30pm - 9.30pm
7th – 8th August 2026
Upgrade Yourself Festival is back with two FREE days of connecting you with cultural changemakers and creative visionaries.
This year's edition of the festival will be an upgrade in itself. We’re going beyond your traditional careers festival to explore and celebrate creativity as a tool for self-expression, creative growth, and collective imagination.
Curated for creatives aged 16–30, expect two days of dreaming, reflecting, imagining and testing new ideas. Empowering you to express yourself, build your community, and experiment boldly.
Whether you’re just starting out or ready to take your next step, come get inspired, make new connections and celebrate the future of creativity. We can't wait to see everyone there!
Back for its second year, the Young Associates programme is an exciting opportunity for emerging performers aged 18–26 to explore a broad range of creative roles across theatre and live events.
From September 2026 – May 2027, the programme connects young creatives with industry professionals to develop skills in creative management, writing, directing, production, and collaborative projects, while offering mentorship from peer mentors.
As part of the application process, auditions will be led by acclaimed theatre director Philip J Morris, giving applicants the opportunity to showcase their creativity in front of an experienced industry professional.
Start date: Thursday 24 September 2026
Sessions: Thursdays, 7pm – 9pm
Term 1 (Sept–Dec): Curating Your Own Work
Term 2 (Jan–Feb): Creative Management
Term 3 (Mar–May): Showcasing Skills
Young Associates get free tickets to shows at Brixton House, weekly mentorship and industry insight, workshops and masterclasses, and hands-on experience in festivals and events.
The National Youth Theatre's Stepping Up course is now open to applications!
Stepping Up is a free 3-month acting and leadership programme for young people who are looking to enhance their skills, learn in a supportive environment, and build meaningful connections within a creative community.
As Stepping Up is an accredited course, run by National Youth Theatre in partnership with UCG (United Colleges Group), participants are able to achieve an OCN London Level 2 Extended Certificate in Performing Arts, as well as become a National Youth Theatre member.
Key Information:
- The course runs every Monday & Tuesday between 19th October 2026- 26th January 2027.
- Each week participants have one 10:30-4:30 session and one 10:30-8pm session. Tea, lunch and dinner breaks are included throughout the day.
- There are 2 strands (Actors & Leaders).
- Classes take place in the National Youth Theatre's base on the Holloway Road, N7, London.
Acting Pathway
(2 days/evenings a week on a Monday, & Tuesday or Tuesday and Wednesday if Bank Holiday week).
For young people who are new to performing and/or want to increase their confidence and performing skills. You will participate in units that include acting skills, improvisation, and physical theatre and you will perform in a final show at the end of the course.
Leadership Pathway
(2 days/evenings a week on a Monday, & Tuesday or Tuesday and Wednesday if Bank Holiday week.)
For young people who have an interest in performing and becoming facilitators in the future. The Leadership strand combines practical acting training alongside learning directing and facilitation skills, including increasing your knowledge of planning and delivering drama workshop and rehearsals. Units include Improvisation, Physical Theatre, Devising and Rehearsal Planning.
Applications are now open for the HAC Young Creatives Programme 2026-27! An exciting opportunity for young adults aged 19-26 to gain free creative industry skills.
What's on Offer:
The HAC Young Creatives Programme aims to develop the skills and talents of young people looking to begin careers in the theatre industry. The course is designed to develop your individual creative practice, and work together as an ensemble to create a professional production.
Term 1:
Term 2:
The course will take place on Thursday evenings (term time) between September 2026 - April 2027, with an intensive showcase rehearsal week from 22nd - 25th March 2027.
Content has been designed to develop your creative skills and your practical knowledge so you’re ready to go out into the industry and take the limelight. What’s more, you’ll meet like-minded creative enthusiasts and become part of a supportive and inspiring artistic community.
To apply, please fill out the application form at the base of this page. If you'd prefer to send your answers to us in video format, please send to participation@harrowarts.com with the subject line 'Young Creatives Application'.
Turtle Key Arts are excited to launch the Joy Artist Development Programme, a new development opportunity for disabled artists as part of Joy Festival 2026.
The Joy Artist Development Programme will support four emerging disabled artists in developing their professional artistic career and practice. The programme will offer 4 artists a programme of 1:1 mentoring, networking, professional seminars with leading disability arts organisations, plus rehearsal time culminating in a performance slot during the Joy Festival Studio performance week in October.
Please read the full information on the programme before applying. All the information can be found on their website including the information pack (full PDF, word & BSL versions)
Key information
Applications open: Friday 17 July, 10am
Applications close: Monday 17 August, 10am
Informal chats/interviews: w/c 17 August, by arrangement*
Programme start date: 4 September 2026
*Please note we will offer to have short, informal conversations with candidates whose applications we would like to know more about. You may be accepted onto the programme without a chat with the team, or we may invite you to talk to us about your idea if we feel we need further clarification.
How to apply
You can apply to the Artist Development Programme via their online application, or submit a word document via email.
Lighting Esesntials is an in-person training event from ETC, a leading manufacturer of professional lighting control systems, fixtures, networking solutions, and rigging technology for the entertainment industry. Designed for anyone who is passionate about working in lighting and lighting design, or who wants to learn more about the art and craft of stage lighting, this course provides an accessible introduction to the industry.
Whether you are new to the industry or just curious about what the ‘lampies’ actually do, this session is for you.
We cover a broad range of topics including stage lighting principles, fundamentals of design, colour theory, lighting fixtures and much more. There is also the opportunity to get hands-on with ETC's latest products.
Course date: 18 September 2026
Lighting Essentials is an in-person training event from ETC, a leading manufacturer of professional lighting control systems, fixtures, networking solutions, and rigging technology for the entertainment industry. Designed for anyone who is passionate about working in lighting and lighting design, or who wants to learn more about the art and craft of stage lighting, this course provides an accessible introduction to the industry
Whether you are new to the industry or just curious about what the ‘lampies’ actually do, this session is for you.
We cover a broad range of topics including stage lighting principles, fundamentals of design, colour theory, lighting fixtures and much more. There is also the opportunity to get hands-on with ETC's latest products.
Course date: 27 August 2026
A free digital resource celebrating the work of William Shakespeare, developed to bring audiences into direct contact with Shakespeare's language in an immediate and engaging way for students, teachers, actors and anyone with an interest in the plays.
Whether used in the classroom, for exam preparation, independent study or simply to inspire a love of Shakespeare, the library offers a fresh way to engage with these extraordinary works.
The library is available to access online free of charge.
