With school holidays offering many young people the opportunity to take part in creative activities, it’s often a time when interests grow, and future ambitions begin to take shape.
Whether a young person is already engaged in the arts or just starting to explore, there are many different pathways into a career in the creative industries. However, for many families, these routes can feel unclear or uncertain.
Recent research from Netflix and the National Youth Theatre found that 89% of parents from working-class backgrounds would be unlikely to encourage their child to pursue a career in the creative industries. Building understanding and confidence among parents and carers is an important step in helping more young people feel supported in exploring these opportunities.
Parents Unscripted is a new series from Discover! Creative Careers, created in collaboration with organisations across the creative industries. The series shares the perspectives of parents whose children now work in the sector, offering honest reflections on their journeys.
We’re proud to have collaborated on one of the films in the series, developed alongside Discover! Creative Careers and the National Theatre. In this film, Angela Jumbo, mother of actor and playwright Cush Jumbo, reflects on her child’s journey into the industry and shares her perspective as a parent.
You can watch the other films in the series here!
We know that when parents and carers feel more confident about creative careers, it can make a real difference to a young person’s ability to pursue them.
By sharing these stories, Parents Unscripted aims to open up conversations, challenge misconceptions, and highlight the many routes available across the creative industries.
We encourage teachers, industry professionals and partners to share these films with their networks, whether through newsletters, social media, or conversations with young people and their families.
Helping more families understand the opportunities available in the creative industries is a vital step in supporting the next generation of talent.
Find out more about Discover! Creative Careers here.
Find out more about the National Theatre Skills Centre here.
Masterclass is offering a paid, three-month internship for an aspiring Theatre Technician, at the Theatre Royal Haymarket. This is a hands-on opportunity for those interested in electrics and / or carpentry to gain backstage experience in a professional theatre.
You’ll work full-time alongside experienced in-house electrical and carpentry teams, supported by Masterclass. During this 13-week placement, you’ll develop essential skills in lighting, rigging and carpentry, with the flexibility to focus on your interests.
Not sure what job this internship could lead to? Check out a full list of backstage careers here.
Key Information:
📅 Internship: 15 June 2026 – 13 September 2026.
🚀 Apply by: 9am, Monday 20 April
🎤 Interviews: Mid-May
💰 Salary: Paid at London Living Wage
📍Location: Based at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, SW1Y
✍️ Contract Type: Fixed Term
Who can apply?
This internship is for those at the start of their career or looking for a first step into theatre. Prior theatre experience is not required, but candidates must have basic skills in carpentry, electrics or sound, and a strong interest in theatre and live events.
Perfect for anyone aged 18+ interested in acting for screen.
This two-day course will introduce you to the techniques and skills required for acting in film and television. Learn key techniques including how to prepare for a scene, be present and how to connect with your scene partner, to give authentic and truthful performances.
You can expect to: Explore the differences between acting for stage and screen; Learn how to analyse a scene quickly and accurately; How to prepare for a scene; Work on short, scripted scenes; Learn about visual storytelling; Draw on your own life experience using the mindset technique; Utilize your imagination to bring an inner life to characters; Develop your confidence in front of a camera.
Some preparation work including reading and learning short, scripted scenes, will be required as part of the course.
Dates: Sat 18 – Sun 19 Jul 2026
Cost: £285
Deadline to book: 5pm, Friday 3 July 2026
Perfect for anyone aged 17+ who has an interest in acting and would be interested in applying for Drama School or an equivalent programme. It is also open to actors who are interested in improving their general audition technique.
Whether you are interested in developing a speech for drama school or university or just generally improving your audition technique, this two-day course will give you an insight and introduction into the tools you need to succeed.
You will look at: How to choose a speech and what to look for; Practical exercises that can be used to unlock the speech and enhance understanding; Discussion on the audition environment and techniques to encourage relaxation and readiness; Tips and techniques to bring the speech to life.
You will be expected to engage in practical tasks on the speeches that you bring to the course to work on. The atmosphere will be informal and welcoming. You will need to choose a Shakespeare speech and a modern speech that you connect with in advance of the course.
Dates: Sat 1 – Sun 2 Aug 2026
Cost: £285
Deadline to book: 5pm, Friday 3 July 2026
Perfect for anyone aged 17+ who has an interest in acting and would be interested in applying for Drama School or an equivalent programme. It is also open to actors who are interested in improving their general audition technique.
Whether you are interested in developing a speech for drama school or university or just generally improving your audition technique, this two-day course will give you an insight and introduction into the tools you need to succeed.
You will look at: How to choose a speech and what to look for; Practical exercises that can be used to unlock the speech and enhance understanding; Discussion on the audition environment and techniques to encourage relaxation and readiness; Tips and techniques to bring the speech to life.
You will be expected to engage in practical tasks on the speeches that you bring to the course to work on. The atmosphere will be informal and welcoming. You will need to choose a Shakespeare speech and a modern speech that you connect with in advance of the course.
Dates: Sat 11 – Sun 12 Apr 2026
Cost: £285
Deadline to book: 5pm, Thursday 9 April 2026
Perfect for anyone aged 18+ who wants to write a solo show to perform.
The new course is a dynamic two-day course designed to help you create a one-person performance from scratch. Whether you have a story, a character, or simply the desire to perform your own work, this intensive course will guide you from idea to page — and ultimately to stage.
Over two days, you’ll gain a practical toolkit for creating and putting on your work, in a supportive group of like-minded creatives. A practical and inspiring course that equips you with the skills to write a one-person show.
Dates: Sat 11 – Sun 12 Apr 2026
Cost: £285
Deadline to book: 5pm, Monday 30 March 2026
Perfect for anyone aged 14 to 17 with an interest in creative writing. No experience is required, just interest and enthusiasm.
Put pen to paper, let your imagination roam free and conjure your creativity with this new two-day course, led by London writer Annie Hayter.
Working with Annie, you will explore a range of literary texts including poetry and fiction, and will use artwork, photographs and songs to inspire your own creative writing. You will learn to draft and develop your own stories and explore the best ways to present, perform and publish them.
Maybe you want to write about your pet goose Doris, an imagined day in the life of your favourite popstar or whatever is important to you, this course will be a warm and open space for you to freely express yourself and delve into the depths of your imagination.
Dates: Sat 18 – Sun 19 Jul 2026
Cost: £230
Deadline to book: 5pm, Friday 3 July 2026
Perfect for anyone aged 15–17 (years 10–12) with a passion and curiosity for acting, whether you’re new to acting or building on previous experience.
This new three-day intensive acting course delves into modern industry practice, building upon traditional Stanislavsky-based methods. The course draws on aspects of Utah Hagen, Susan Batson and Meisner providing an efficient toolkit of tips to lift your text from the page to the stage.
Participants will explore a number of different scenes and monologues through the lens of various acting tools.
The course is practical and fast-paced. You will gain a strong toolkit to unpack and analyse a variety of texts in preparation for performance and auditions. By the end of the course, you will have practical skills to apply the theory that you have learned in the course to your acting.
Dates: Fri 10 – Sun 12 Apr 2026
Cost: £450
Deadline to book: 5pm, Monday 30 March 2026
Perfect for anyone aged 11–14 (years 7–9) with a passion and curiosity for acting, whether you’re new to acting or building on previous experience.
This new three-day intensive acting course delves into modern industry practice, building upon traditional Stanislavsky-based methods. The course draws on aspects of Utah Hagen, Susan Batson and Meisner providing an efficient toolkit of tips to lift your text from the page to the stage.
Participants will explore a number of different scenes and monologues through the lens of various acting tools.
The course is practical and fast-paced. You will gain a strong toolkit to unpack and analyse a variety of texts in preparation for performance and auditions. By the end of the course, you will have practical skills to apply the theory that you have learned in the course to your acting.
Dates: Tue 7 – Thu 9 Apr 2026
Cost: £450
Deadline to book: 5pm, Monday 30 March 2026
Work with a professional director to create a full play in just 5 days.
For young people aged 12 to 15, Wac Arts one-week summer program offers an exciting opportunity to work with a professional director and create a full play in just 5 days!
Over the course of the week, participants will collaborate as a team to explore the world of the play, develop their characters, and rehearse their lines. The week will culminate in a live performance for friends and family, showcasing the incredible work they’ve put in. This is a fantastic option for anyone interested in joining the Wac Arts Actors Company or Junior Actors Company, or for anyone looking to have fun, make new friends, and enjoy a creative, welcoming environment full of artistic energy.
Dates: Monday 27 July – Friday 31 July
Times: 9:30am – 15:30
Bursaries:
They offer limited Bursary places to support those with specific circumstances.
Book before 17 April 2026 to receive £20-off
