Quick-fire scratch nights for adventurous new writing in theatre and performance! The Scrap is an open-access night for writers, actors and directors to try out new ideas, meet one another, and showcase their work in front of an audience. Live music, good drinks, and cool new theatre.

Here we're looking for companies or ensembles to present a short work or excerpt from a piece they've been developing independently - usually about 25 minutes, max 30. These would be pieces that already have a team attached, and which have undergone development, rehearsal, and more thorough preparation. We usually programme one or two scratches per Scrap.

We're looking for work (or an excerpt) that is 20 - 30 minutes in length, that has a team already attached, and has undergone some previous workshopping (but which hasn't received a full-scale production).

We try to place no strictures on form, content, genre, team or style for our scratches: absolute minimal gatekeeping. All we ask is that you be adventurous and try something new!

Lewisham Youth Theatre is now recruiting for our annual Facilitator Training Programme,  a free, hands-on training and employment opportunity for young adults aged 18–25 based in South London who are interested in youth work, creative facilitation, and making a positive impact in their community.

Trainee Facilitator's will:

We're looking for people who are:

Stretch your creative muscles and split in groups, collaboratively (and friendly competitively) work on devising and adapting ideas from stimulus such as articles, published literature, sound and photography, culminating in a sharing at the end of the session. Led by Artistic Directors of StageBase, Eleanor Willis and Gabriela Chanova

Based in London; Moya Jane Studios E9 6ND

Session time from 7pm-9pm on November 4th

More sessions every Tuesday 7-9pm until the 9th of December and get all 6 sessions for £46 with the link below!

Self-Care Workshops for Individual Artists. Artists can sign up for a maximum of 2 workshops – we will be running a waiting list.

This seminar is led and designed by Dr Annette Clancy for artists navigating the highs and lows of a professional career exploring how creative practitioners can work with disappointment to build long-term resilience.

Morning Session - Start time 10am. Finish time 12pm.

Afternoon Session - Start time 1pm. Finish time 3pm.

Tea / coffee provided at registration.

Number of places at each session - 24.


Polka’s Catapult Programme consists of two seed funding strands, which are designed to platform underrepresented Artists and to help bring brand new ideas and concepts to life. Both programmes are open to Artists at any stage of their career, and from any creative discipline. 

The TYA sector is currently significantly underrepresented with work from artists from the Global Majority, who identify as disabled, LGBTQ+, or who come from a lower socio-economic background. There is also a real need to identify brand new stories for children – those not adapted from books, tv shows or films or western fairy tales. We are looking for artists who can address these gaps, with the very best innovative new ideas for children’s theatre.

First Steps: For brand new ideas for audiences of 0-6 years

Next Steps: For taking that first draft or second R&D to the next stage for audiences of 0-12 years

Both strands offer mentoring, training, free rehearsal space, scratch performance opportunities and tickets to Polka productions. 

BTEC stands for the Business and Technology Education Council. BTECs are specialist work-related qualifications. They combine practical learning with subject and theory content.  
 
The BTEC study programme can be accessed from 16 years of age and is delivered by our highly trained professional artists and performing arts teachers within each learning facility over two years. Students will train and perform within our professional, purpose-built studios providing a unique and true vocational experience. 
 
As one of the oldest Musical Theatre colleges we'll ensure you maximise your true potential as you'll work closely with our working industry professionals. You will receive a high level performing arts training and work towards achieving the highest grades possible in line with our high internal standards to become the very best version of you. 
 
You will be assessed through practical performances, rehearsals, training sessions and assignments. This BTEC level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts Practice will allow you to progress onto university, audition/apply to specialist, advanced performing arts schools and/or gain employment directly into the industry.  
 
 
Recognition 
BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma in Performing Arts Practice (Musical Theatre) is awarded by Pearson and regulated by Ofqual. It is Level 3 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework. This qualification is equivalent to 3 A-levels and worth up to 168 UCAS points. 
 
Progression 
This BTEC level 3 Extended Diploma in Performing Arts Practice will allow learners to progress onto university, audition/apply to specialist, advanced performing arts schools and/or gain employment directly into the industry.
 
 
 
 
 

Do It Together (DIT) is a peer-to-peer professional development programme that enables artists to explore ideas, aesthetics and sociopolitical realities together. 

In collaboration with 19 national partners, LADA invites proposals for 10 peer-to-peer professional development projects designed by artists for artists to take place across the UK between March and September 2026.

We want to hear from artists and practitioners eager to design and lead a peer-to-peer project that benefits your own practice and others’, and explores questions, ideas, tools and methodologies in a shared, process-led space.

DIT is about learning with each other – not teaching others what we already know. Your proposal should set the frame of a collective enquiry for a group of artists to explore together. The most important thing is that you consider why it is important to do the activity with other artists, how you will do it together and what becomes possible through sharing the process.

DIT celebrates the unfixed, the unruly and the unconventional. We are looking for ideas that are rooted in our new realities, and those which create portals into the unknown. This is an opportunity to do things differently, and to support each other to challenge the status quo.

We are looking for emerging theatre directors based outside London to join Headlong Origins 2026, our year-long artist development programme supporting directors across the UK.

Running January–December 2026, this part-time scheme is designed to fit around your work and help you take the next step toward main-stage directing. It offers a blend of artistic support, mentoring, and practical experience with Headlong’s productions and creative processes. You’ll become part of a small cohort of directors and given the opportunity to explore and develop your own individual practices as a director with the support of your peers and the Headlong team. Across the year, you’ll also connect with our partner organisations, and guest artists, and be able to immerse yourselves in the day to day working of a national touring theatre company.

‘Creative Wellbeing’ – the title seems self-explanatory, but when does it get taught? Talked about? Not only will this workshop examine ways in which we can nurture our stress as artists, but will also look at how to identify and advocate for your boundaries - both in process and practice. What comes after you’ve said “no”? How does creative risk continue? You will be practically exploring exactly that. Other topics may include neurodiversity, burnout and supporting others. Creative Wellbeing aims to give young people aged 14-21 the language and confidence to create theatre healthily, honestly and unbound.

We’re looking to recruit 11 Youth Forum members and appoint a Youth Forum Chair…

We are reaching out to ask you to share an exciting opportunity with all creative and enthusiastic young people you work with, aged 18 to 30.

Our charity, dedicated to enriching young lives through theatre, is recruiting for a Youth Forum offering young people valuable, hands-on experience in arts governance, leadership, and accessibility.

We believe these voluntary roles would be a perfect complement to their studies and professional goals in the arts, education, or non-profit sectors. They present a chance for them to help shape the future direction of our charity. No previous theatre experience is needed - just commitment and passion!

We are looking for 11 members who have an interest in theatre and the performing arts to:

We are also seeking one exceptional individual for this vital dual role - it’s perfect for someone looking to:

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