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 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

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

Work experience offers practical, hands-on insight into the theatre industry, helping you build skills, confidence, and a clearer understanding of different career pathways. It’s an ideal first step when exploring a future in theatre. As an initial step, we recommend getting in contact with your local theatre to see if they offer any work experience opportunities.

While many people associate theatre careers with performing, there are a huge number of offstage roles that make productions possible. From stage management and lighting to marketing, producing, costume, sound, and technical theatre, work experience allows you to explore these departments and discover which areas interest you most. Taking part in work experience placements can provide a range of valuable benefits, including:

Understanding How Theatres Work:
Working within a theatre environment allows you to see how different departments collaborate to bring a production to life. This perspective is incredibly valuable if you're considering a career in the sector.

Developing Practical Theatre Skills:
Work experience often gives you the chance to assist with real tasks, whether that’s supporting technical teams, observing rehearsals, helping front-of-house teams, or working with marketing and administration departments.

Building Confidence and Professional Skills:
Being part of a professional environment helps you develop communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills that are essential across the creative industries.

Making Connections in the Theatre Industry:
The theatre industry is highly collaborative. Work experience placements can introduce you to professionals working in the field and help you begin building a network within the industry.

Strengthening Future Applications:
Whether you're applying for drama school, university courses, apprenticeships, or entry-level roles, work experience demonstrates enthusiasm, initiative, and commitment to the sector.

Where to Find Theatre Work Experience in the UK

Many theatres and arts organisations across the UK offer work experience placements, shadowing opportunities, and youth programmes. Availability and application processes vary, but the following organisations regularly provide opportunities for young people interested in theatre careers:

London

South of England

Midlands

North of England

North of England

Wales

Scotland

Northern Ireland

You may also want to check the websites of theatres local to you, as many venues offer placements throughout the year or during school holidays.

Tips for Finding Theatre Work Experience

Work experience is one of the most valuable ways to begin exploring opportunities in theatre. It provides a clearer understanding of how productions are created and how different departments work together behind the scenes.

Whether your interests lie in technical theatre, production, stage management, marketing, or theatre administration, gaining offstage experience is an excellent way to start your journey in the industry.

A paid summer work and cultural exchange opportunity for creatives aged 18+.

Camp America offers a paid summer opportunity to live and work at an American summer camp for 9–12 weeks, with performing arts and creative roles available across camps in the USA. This is more than just work experience - it’s a chance to use your creative skills while living the full summer camp life!

Creatives from all backgrounds are placed in roles where they can teach, lead and inspire young people through acting, singing, dance, music, technical theatre and production, while also being part of a wider camp community. Alongside your role, you’ll take part in classic camp activities, build international friendships and experience everyday life in the USA. While we work with specialist theatre and performing arts camps, performing arts roles are available across many different camps, not just specialist ones.

This opportunity is ideal for those who:

Camps generally run from mid-Jun to mid-August – but this can vary by camp and location.

Free creative writing workshops for Autistic writers aged 18+ in the North of England (Derby and Nottingham included).

Join Gemma Lees and Via MacNab for a series of twice-a-month creative writing workshops. Workshops take place online for 1.5 hours at a time and are 100% free. Each session, Gemma and Via will walk you through creative writing exercises to inspire you and encourage your creativity, after which you will have the option to share your writing if you would like among likeminded writers in a safe and open environment.

This group is for Autistic adults in the North of England. Led by Romany Gypsy poet Gemma Lees, we offer a warm welcome to all - with a special invitation to GRTSB (Gypsy, Roma, Traveller, Showmen & Boater) communities.

Dates & Times:

How to book:

Are you interested in a career at sea and willing to live and work onboard a Disney Cruise Line vessel?

Excellent Recruitment are currently recruiting for the position of Youth Activities Counselor for Disney Cruise Line.

As a Youth Activities Counselor you will interact and supervise children ages 3-17 year old by providing a safe and entertaining environment in their Youth Activities spaces onboard their ships & paradise locations. You will need to be flexible with your work schedule, job tasks, and work locations as you start your new adventure in the Youth Activities department. You will also work in partnership with their Entertainment Host team, by providing program support to ensure all department and shipboard goals are met.

How to Apply:

The ABTT Theatre Show will once again take place at the stunning Alexandra Palace on Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 June.

The ABTT Theatre Show 2026 is the exhibition where the broadest collection of specialist suppliers supporting live performance technology, production and education gather to connect with others in the world of theatre, performance, events, festivals, music and more.

The ABTT Theatre Show draws exhibitors and visitors from all over the world whether they be interested in lighting, audio visual, scenography, rigging, set construction, sound, costume, seating, staging, wigs, make-up, pyrotechnics or anything else employed in a performance. A range of activities will be presented over the two days, including a variety of meetings, debates and seminars and providing spaces for all their sister Associations and organisations to meet in person.

How to book:

Course Overview
 
Study takes place over three years at Midlands Academy of Dance (MADD College) & Drama, Richmond House, Nottingham City Centre. Students work in small classes and receive direct teaching time each week.
 
The course is delivered through classes, projects, workshops and performance opportunities. During the course students engage in a range of performance projects.
 
In the second year, skills are further explored in collaboration classes which include peer integration and team teaching to enhance your creativity and help you to make connections between subjects.
 
Additionally, there is time given to focus on detail and help develop independence and confidence in each individual’s practice. (Course content is subject to change).
 
This degree program will be structured to provide students with real-world skills, such as acting, singing, dancing, choreography, production, and stage management, all underpinned by a strong academic foundation in musical theatre history, theory, and analysis. Graduates of the program will be fully equipped to enter the workforce as versatile, multi-talented professionals prepared to work in theatre, film, television, and other performing arts sectors.
 
Students will have the unique opportunity to work on live productions, attend masterclasses with industry professionals, and engage in collaborative projects that reflect the dynamic nature of the musical theatre industry. The combination of academic study and practical experience ensures that students graduate not only with a degree but with a portfolio of work and professional skills that can be immediately applied in their careers. Both institutions are dedicated to producing highly skilled professionals who are not only artistically capable but also possess a strong theoretical understanding of the industry.
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