Applications are now open for work placements in the Scenic Art department at the National Theatre.

These two-week placements are for those studying, or recently graduated from, a Scenic Art or other relevant higher education course and looking for work experience in this field. Please note:

Placements will take place between April 2026 and March 2027.
Placements are not paid, but travel and food expenses will be covered.
This is an opportunity for people aged 18+.

As part of your application, please upload a CV, covering letter explaining why you are applying for this placement, and a short portfolio of your work. If you have any questions or if you would like to submit an application via an alternative format, please contact one of the Skills Centre team at skillscentre@nationaltheatre.org.uk who can offer guidance on how to do this.

Step behind the stage with this immersive six-month traineeship, gaining hands-on production experience and learning how world-class innovative shows are brought to life.

The Royal Court Theatre is internationally-recognised as the UK’s leading theatre for new work, with a 70-year commitment to developing and championing talent on and off stage. Each year it nurtures hundreds of emerging practitioners through structured development, placements and learning programmes – supporting them all the way through to professional debuts and major productions. 

Its mission is defined by taking risks on stages – inspiring audiences, artists and communities, and empowering new and diverse voices to drive forward national culture and public conversation. Every year Royal Court reaches over 100,000 people between its two theatres, touring productions and youth and community projects. Coming at an exciting time during its 70th Anniversary, this traineeship ensures both practical learning and a real dose of inspiration and excitement for someone new to the industry.

This production traineeship provides a supported, developmental role in our busy world-class backstage theatre teams – including opportunities to build to professional credits, and gain insights into future career pathways in theatre. Throughout the traineeship, the successful candidate will undertake supervised, developmental tasks that build confidence in rehearsal support, technical periods and performances, giving direct insight and hands-on experience into how plays are developed, rehearsed and staged in a world-leading contemporary theatre. There will also be opportunities to work alongside globally renowned artists, brand new writers and youth participants. The six-month traineeship will follow a structured timeline to support learning and development, potentially as follows:

• Months 1-2: Learning through practice, shadowing, and supervised contributions at the heart of our teams
• Months 3-4: Taking on more guided responsibilities and ownership of smaller, defined tasks on each production
• Month 5: Opportunities for short tailored placements across other departments of interest to the trainee, potentially including our producing, venue management, operations and marketing & communications teams
• Month 6: Taking on stage management responsibilities for festival presentations and readings in our September 2026 Open Submissions Festival in a supported environment, securing professional credits as an outcome

Key activities

• Supporting rehearsals, including setting up and maintaining rehearsal rooms, props and equipment
• Sourcing and adapting props
• Creating and updating relevant production paperwork
• Attending key production meetings and assisting with follow-up tasks
• Supporting deputy stage managers in managing rehearsal rooms, including wellbeing and pastoral care for rehearsal companies
• Observing and assisting fit-ups, set builds, and technical rehearsals
• Shadowing and supporting stage managers during technical rehearsals and running shows
• Helping backstage before and during performances, including company check-ins and wellbeing support
• Connecting with wider departments through optional placements across the organisation based on the candidate’s interests

What you will gain

• A clear understanding of professional production and stage management workflows, and the careers in these fields
• Enhanced confidence in rehearsal-room support, from wellbeing and inclusion for new and diverse artists to professional standards expected of world-leading talent
• First-hand experience of technical and performance periods
• Insight into the artistic and logistical processes of producing new theatre, and wider career pathways and opportunities across the UK theatre sector
• Clear, demonstrable evidence of work in a professional theatre environment and specific credits for your CV
• Build a meaningful professional network via introductions to creative teams, freelancers and partner organisations

What we are looking for

• No formal training is required but some experience or transferable skills that relate to stage management, theatre or backstage theatre are desirable
• A passion and genuine interest for theatre, stage management and backstage theatre, with an interest in exploring future pathways and careers within these
• Strong communication and organisational skills
• Curiosity and willingness to learn
• A positive flexible approach to working, with the possibility of some evening and weekends as required

Shaftesbury Theatre

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:

• Complete the registration form on their website.
• If you wish to attend as part of an educational trip, please email admin@abtt.org.uk

The Fitting Space Group LTD

Park Theatre

Park Theatre

New Adventures

Theatre tickets from £10 in Official London Theatre’s New Year Sale

Add some fun to your diary in 2026 and get planning your theatre trips now with Official London Theatre’s New Year Sale.

Tickets start from just £10 for selected performances throughout next year - you’ll find great deals on over 50 shows like Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story (from £10), The Red Shoes (from £10), Stranger Things: The First Shadow (from £20), Hadestown (from £20), Titanique (from £20), Starlight Express (from £20), Kinky Boots (from £20), Just For One Day – The Live Aid Musical (from £20), Disney’s The Lion King (from £30), Into the Woods (from £30), Oliver! (from £30) and Witness for the Prosecution (from £30).

Tickets are subject to availability so get yours now – start next year with an unforgettable experience in London’s West End and beyond.