These pathways are tailored for emerging Directors, Choreographers, Musical Directors, Designers, Lighting Designers, Stage Managers, Wardrobe Assistants and Technicians aged 16 to 23 who are in training or recently graduated from Higher Education.
Applications are open for 2025. There is £25 application fee which gives access to preparatory online sessions, offering skill building and group mentorship. Following these sessions you will have the opportunity to apply for a specific role on a production.
Every year, we run courses around the UK for young people ages 14 to 25 who want to become members of the National Youth Theatre.
Entry to these courses is via audition only, and auditions are held between October 2024 and March 2025. There are three different routes you can take to audition, depending on where you’re based and how much availability you have:
You can only audition via one route each year, so have a read through each one before applying to decide which option works best for you.
The Production Services Association (PSA) is thrilled to announce an exciting new initiative launching in January 2025: the PSA Training Bursary Scheme, developed in collaboration with Precision Broking Ltd and AXA Insurance.
The training bursary scheme comes in part as a response to some of the ongoing challenges the live industry faces, which were highlighted in a member survey earlier this year. Skills shortage is currently a key issue for the industry, and the top request from members was to be able to access more training opportunities.
This scheme aims to support PSA members by covering some of the costs associated with essential training programmes tailored to the production and live events industry. A total of £25,000 has been allocated to the fund for 2025, and applicants can request funding for up to 25% of the course cost, with a maximum claim amounting to £250.
"The PSA acknowledge the importance of professional development and encourages applications for courses that complement the roles and competencies of our members." Liz Madden, PSA Co-chair said: “This could include comprehensive training in key technical areas like lighting, sound, rigging, AV, special effects, stage automation, and other vital systems that support the smooth operation of live events and the production services sector. It could also include nationally recognised training for improving physical or mental health in the UK, supporting your overall well-being in a high-stress industry, or accredited safety training offered by reputable industry bodies to ensure you are fully equipped with the newest safety protocols and practices."
Tom Rees, Co-chair, added; “This scheme would not be possible without the generosity of our donors. Our goal is to help our members enhance their skills, broaden their professional network, and uplift the overall standards within our industry. This is a fantastic opportunity for members to invest in their future, cultivate their expertise, and elevate their careers in the dynamic world of production and live events!”
Applications open on 6 January 2025 through a straightforward application form on PSA's website, making it easy to access and take advantage of these training opportunities.
This is a unit-based qualification with assessment points throughout the year.
The Diploma is the first component of a full Extended Diploma which is completed over 2 years. It is a practical based course that focuses on technique and performance.
The course is broken up into units which will be allocated to various projects throughout the year. Some projects involve just one unit, but some will involve you working on several at the same time.
The units you will cover include:
If you're passionate about acting and performing arts, this course is for you. You will develop skills as a performer and will gain the qualifications necessary to enter higher education or work in the industry.
If you’re serious about a career in makeup artistry, our 4-Month Hair and Makeup Course is the perfect choice.
Led by award-winning makeup designers at CBMA Makeup Academy in London, this intensive, hands-on program covers everything from beauty makeup to special effects (SFX) techniques. You’ll work closely with industry professionals to master the essential skills needed for film, TV, and fashion. By the end of this course, you’ll be ready to create a wide range of looks, from classic beauty to intricate special effects, giving you the tools to launch your makeup artistry career.
You will learn contemporary dance, jazz, ballet, choreography, improvisation and dance theory. Performance workshops all designed to help improve your skills, confidence and performance ability.
This one year course is for anyone with and an interest in learning more about dance. Whilst experience is useful, we welcome anyone with an enthusiasm and passion for the subject area.
Throughout the year you will discover your strengths as a dancer whilst finding out more about professionalism and the industry itself. You will study rehearsal, performance and production skills in a course designed to help you progress to the next step. Each term you will work towards a performance project designed to develop you as a performer and showcase your talents.
Successful students can work in a range of roles, these may include working in creative industries such as specialist dancer, directing, choreographing, teaching, producing, designing or working in arts management and administration.
If you’re a musician looking to further develop your skills, knowledge, and understanding to get into higher education or music employment then this is the right course for you. Offering flexibility, industry insights, and practical music skills, this course will give you everything you need to achieve your dreams.
Studying a BTEC in Music (Performing) will build on your existing knowledge in key areas including performance skills, composition and listening skills, analytical and presentation skills, and careers in the music industry. The course involves written, analytic, practical, and social skills ranging from performance to self-expression. Units cover Practical Music Theory & Harmony, Professional Practice in the Music Industry, Ensemble Music Performance, and Composing Music. You’ll also be free to use our industry standard recording studio. Plus, visits to local venues and London’s West End will take you beyond the campus.
Possible career paths
Your Assessment
On this course you will study:
Performance workshops are all designed to help improve your skills, confidence and performance ability.
This one year course is for anyone with and an interest in learning more about acting. Whilst experience is useful, we welcome anyone with an enthusiasm and passion for the subject area.
Successful students can work in a range of roles, these may include working in creative industries such as screen acting, stage performance, directing, teaching, script writing, producing, designing or working in arts management and administration.
On successful completion of this introductory course you will gain a great idea of what is involved in performing arts and music. You can use it to move up to courses such as Level 2 Diploma in Skills for Performing Arts or Skills for Music & Music Technology, or other level 2 qualifications.
If you have the passion to succeed in the music or performing arts industries, then this course could be the perfect starting point. If you’re willing to work hard, this course will provide you with the opportunities to develop essential performing arts and music skills and help forge a career in the creative industries.
Throughout this one year course you will study a variety of music and performing arts skills as well as an introduction to music technology units. These include working in the performing arts, performance skills, acting, dance and music skills, performance workshops and employability skills.
Fees: £1,417.00
Full-time courses are fully funded for 16 to 18-year-olds. For age 19+, various funding options are available.
Tangle’s Artistic Director Anna Coombs started WOVEN in 2023 as a safe space for African, Caribbean and Global Majority creatives living in Swindon and the surrounding areas to meet and connect as an artist-led community.
The WOVEN network offers opportunities for peer-led meetings, soft skills training and practical theatre workshops, social events, and sharing projects and working practices. Our hope is to build a community where members with diverse skillsets can connect, form working relationships and support each other.
WOVEN meetings take place in Swindon and Southampton.
WOVEN is free to join. To find out more, please email Associate Producer Stefan Kwame Boakye at the address below.
