We’re looking for six short plays, and actors to perform in them.
LEG BREAKERS is a scratch night. It's an opportunity for writers to push themselves, to try new things, or just give it a go. It’s open to anyone, whether this is your first play, or your hundred and first.
This time we have a prompt that the scripts should be written to. It goes like this: A threshold has been reached. A decision must be made, or a step must be taken. This is the most important moment of their life or lives, but this doesn’t have to be clear.
If your script is selected, it’ll be performed at the event in front of a supportive audience. We provide dramaturgy, rehearsal time, and you’ll also receive audience feedback.
WRITER CALLOUT:
We’re looking for six original short plays up to 15 minutes. This is roughly 13-15 pages in size 14. The plays should be inspired by and written to our prompt. Fresh, scrappy pieces are encouraged - just hit us with your best shot.
PROMPT // Leg Breakers 002 - THRESHOLD
A threshold has been reached. A decision must be made, or a step must be taken. This is the most important moment of their life or lives, but this doesn't have to be known to them.
Bonus points if you include a joke that makes nobody in the audience laugh.
We're looking for bold, strange, heartfelt, funny, furious, and everything in between when exploring the prompt above. Most of all, we want it to sound like you. No stress, no worries, no judgement, just hit us with your best shot, and we’ll love it no matter what.
Please submit your script as a PDF, in a clear and legible font such as Arial or Garamond, size 14. Submissions must be in the English language, as we don't currently have the capacity to translate work. We encourage restraint in terms of cast size, to a maximum of 4 characters.
Each selected piece will be performed by our team of actors, with dramaturgical support, photography, and video footage provided, so you’ll get a real sense of how your work lands in the room. While our actors might not exactly fit the specific casting for your piece, we invite you to treat this as a chance to explore and play, rather than something restrictive. All writers will also be required to share marketing copy about their script as well as contribute to our website advertising the evening with content about their plays and their work so far.
Deadline: Friday 2 October 2026
Fee for selected writers: £250
Date of event: Friday 27 November 2026
We welcome writers at all stages — whether you’re brand new or have a few scripts under your belt. We believe new writing is vital to the survival of theatre, and to capture the strange time we’re living through.
If anything’s unclear or you’ve got questions, drop us a line at info@cloudburstltd.co.uk.
PERFORMER CALLOUT:
We are looking to assemble a team of Greater Manchester based talent who are passionate about bringing new writing to life. We're currently looking for four performers and are keen to hear from recent graduates, anyone who considers themselves to be emerging and those often underrepresented on our stages.
Leg Breakers is an encouraging and supportive environment for creatives to connect and develop new work.
Please submit your Bio, Website, Spotlight or Showreel Link for consideration.
Application Deadline: Friday 2 October 2026
Rehearsal Dates: 25, 26, 27 November 2026
Performance Date: 27 November 2026
Fee: £420.00 (3 days @ £140 per day)
If anything’s unclear or if you’ve got questions, drop us a line on info@cloudburstltd.co.uk.
This is a paid opportunity. Deadline is October 2nd 2026.
For more information and to apply, click the Opportunity Info link below!
Want to be an ACTOR? Want to go to Drama School? YOUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE
What is OPEN DOOR?
Open Door is a multi-award-winning organisation with over 246 offers from top drama schools - Guildhall, LAMDA, Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland, and RADA. We give you the extra support you need to take the next step in your career.
Our alumni now work with Netflix, Disney+, Apple TV, BBC, The National Theatre, Manchester Royal Exchange, and The RSC.
Successful applicants will receive:
Eligibility:
We will need to check the financial records of the selected participants, so please do not apply if you do not meet all the criteria above. This is a project designed for people who could not otherwise afford to audition for drama school.
Audition Dates:
First Rounds :
Recalls :
Deadline: Applications close on Monday 7th September 2026
For more information and to sign up, click the Opportunity Info link below!
Are you an emerging actor based in the Liverpool City Region? Are you passionate about acting and performance, keen to develop your skills, and excited by the opportunity to work collaboratively as part of an ensemble? If so, Actors LAB could be for you!
We’re bringing together six local actors with writer Billie Collins and director Ameera Conrad to explore ideas for a brand-new piece of writing for young people aged 13–25, around the theme of Connection.
As part of Actors LAB, you’ll have the chance to:
Whether you’re at the beginning of your professional acting journey or looking for an opportunity to deepen your practice, Actors LAB is a space to experiment, collaborate and develop your skills alongside other emerging local performers.
Essential information:
For more information and to apply, click the Opportunity Info link below!
Are you a musician, singer, rapper or spoken word artist aged 15-25? Want to experiment, collaborate and create something completely new?
Nu Noize: Next Sound Collective is a free three-month creative music project bringing together talented young artists from across Liverpool to collaborate with professional musicians and develop an original new sound.
You’ll explore what happens when different musical styles, cultures and influences come together — from hip hop and R&B to Chinese traditional music and beyond.
What will you do?
You'll be supported by:
Kofi Owusu – Go Play Studios
Zi Lan Liao – Musician & CEO, Pagoda Arts
Paisleigh Bi – R&B artist & songwriter
Whether you're an established young artist or simply excited about making music and trying something different, we want to hear from you.
How to apply:
Send to Leonisha@20storieshigh.org.uk:
Don't worry about recording quality — we simply want to hear what you do.
Essential information:
For more information, click the Opportunity Info link below!
Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse is looking for four professional actors based in Merseyside to perform new work by emerging YEP Writers as part of the 2026 YEP Writers Showcase.
Actors will rehearse eight monologues and duologues across one week, working with two directors before performing the work to a public audience at the Everyman.
Applicants should be confident performers who can learn lines and respond to direction quickly, work across multiple scripts and play a range of roles and genres. The opportunity is open to actors aged 18 and over.
The production team particularly welcomes applications from Global Majority actors and actors who identify as D/deaf, disabled and/or neurodivergent.
Location: Liverpool / Merseyside
Dates: 5–11 October 2026, including rehearsals, technical rehearsal and performances
Pay: Paid at Equity rate
Application deadline: Midnight, Sunday 6 September 2026
Applicants should submit a self-tape of no more than two minutes, along with their name, location, headshot or recent photograph, acting CV or Spotlight link, and agent details if applicable.
For more information how to apply, click the Opportunity Info link below!
A playwriting competition for Northern writers!
One winning script will be chosen for a five-night production by the People’s Theatre in May 2027 in their Studio Theatre, and the writer will receive a cash prize of £1,000.
The judges for the competition are looking for a new full-length play on any subject, for a cast of any age or gender. Don't worry about how old you are or much experience you have - the Award is open to everyone with a story to tell.
Past winners include Peter Straughan (BAFTA & Oscar-winner for ‘Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy’ & ‘Conclave’), Carina Rodney (Audible, BBC Radio 4, Live Theatre) and Alison Carr (National Theatre, Finalist: Women’s Prize for Playwriting, BBC Three).
SUBMISSION INFORMATION:
For more information, including submission guidelines, click the opportunity info link below!
The Opera North Youth Orchestra (ONYO) forms part of the Opera North Youth Company. It serves to help dedicated young musicians transition from further or higher education into the professional world of music.
Drawing inspiration from the orchestral and opera work of Opera North, the Youth Orchestra prepares and performs two programmes of challenging repertoire each academic year. Rehearsing in the Orchestra of Opera North rehearsal studios, the Youth Orchestra provides opportunities to learn the musical and non-musical intricacies of working within a high-level orchestra whilst gaining further experience with orchestral and operatic repertoire.
Central to the programming of the Opera North Youth Orchestra is creating opportunities for the ensemble to work together and perform with soloists, conductors and ensembles from Opera North’s performing company. The Orchestra is led by conductor Oliver Rundell, and sections are coached by members of the orchestra of Opera North. Repertoire in the 26-27 Season will include:
Project 1: Dewsbury Town Hall, 1 November 2026, 3.30pm
Paul Dukas Fanfare from ‘La Péri’
Edward Elgar Serenade for Strings
Max Bruch Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26
Arvo Pärt Fratres
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 2 in C minor, Op. 17
Project 2: Dewsbury Town Hall, Sunday 21 March 2027, 3.30pm
Doreen Carwithens ‘Bishop Rock’ Overture
Richard Strauss Horn Concerto No. 1 in E-flat major, Op.11
Amy Beach Symphony in E minor (Gaelic Symphony), Op.32
Members benefit from mentorship from the musicians and artistic team of Opera North, in addition to connecting with a variety of professional orchestral and opera conductors. The Opera North Youth Orchestra is designed to complement participants’ existing study schedule, rehearsing during school and university holidays and on selected weekends over the academic year.
The Orchestra currently has vacancies for the following instruments*:
Strings: Violin, Viola, Cello, Double Bass, Harp
Woodwind: Bassoon
Brass: French Horn
Percussion* Depending on current membership, some instruments may not be auditioned this term. If your instrument is not listed, you are welcome to apply to register your interest for future opportunities.
If you play an orchestral instrument not listed above, please fill in the application form if you would like to register your interest for any future opportunity to audition.
Eligibility
Project 1 will be open to musicians aged 15-21 and performing at Grade 7+ standard on their instrument. Project 2 will be open to musicians aged 16-21 and performing at Grade 8 standard. Please refer to the FAQs section below for more information.
Application deadline
Friday 18 September
(Applications received after this date will be considered on a rolling basis, subject to vacancies)
Audition date
Saturday 26 September
How to apply
Complete the application form at the top of this page, making sure you’ve noted the audition date and requirements.
If you have any questions please get in with touch with Youth Orchestra team via onyo@operanorth.co.uk.
The Opera North Youth Orchestra (ONYO) forms part of the Opera North Youth Company. It serves to help dedicated young musicians transition from further or higher education into the professional world of music.
Drawing inspiration from the orchestral and opera work of Opera North, the Youth Orchestra prepares and performs two programmes of challenging repertoire each academic year. Rehearsing in the Orchestra of Opera North rehearsal studios, the Youth Orchestra provides opportunities to learn the musical and non-musical intricacies of working within a high-level orchestra whilst gaining further experience with orchestral and operatic repertoire and having fun!
Players travel from all over the North and Midlands to gain experience, make new friends and great music!
Rehearsal dates for the 26-27 academic year are as follows:
Autumn term – Project 1
Sunday 11 October 2026
Saturday 24 October
Sunday 25 October
Wednesday 28 October
Thursday 29 October
Friday 30 October
Sunday 1 November – Concert: Dewsbury Town Hall
Spring term – Project 2
Sunday 24th January 2027
Sunday 7th February
Sunday 21st February
Sunday 7th March
Saturday 20th March
Sunday 21 March – Concert: Dewsbury Town Hall
For years, the idea of “making it” in theatre has followed a familiar script: go to university or attend drama school, earn a degree and then maybe you’ll land a job.
But that’s only one version of the story.
The truth is, theatre has never had a single entry route. Many people build careers through practical experience, training on the job, and creating their own opportunities, and crucially, this doesn’t just happen in London.
Apprenticeships are one of the most accessible and structured ways to begin a career in theatre. They combine paid work with hands-on training, allowing you to learn directly from industry professionals.
Major organisations like the National Theatre, the Royal Ballet and Opera, and the Royal Shakespeare Company offer established apprenticeship schemes in areas such as technical theatre, stage management, and costume.
Outside of London, opportunities are just as valuable. Theatr Clwyd and Leeds Playhouse, for example, run programmes that focus on developing local talent and opening doors into the industry.
Apprenticeships offer:
Paid internships in theatre do exist, but they can be harder to find and are often highly competitive. They’re usually offered through specific programmes rather than widely advertised roles.
Masterclass, the Birmingham Hippodrome and Creative Access, for instance, partner with producers and theatres to provide internships that give insight into how the industry operates behind the scenes.
While not as accessible as apprenticeships, internships can still:
Not everyone wants, or needs, to commit to full-time training. Short courses offer a flexible way to develop your skills, whether that’s acting, directing, writing, or technical theatre.
Institutions like the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama offer part-time courses, but similar opportunities can often be found at regional theatres and arts centres across the UK.
These courses allow you to:
It’s easy to think of theatre as London-centric, but the UK has a rich network of regional venues creating high-quality work and supporting emerging talent.
Organisations like the Bristol Old Vic, Royal Exchange Theatre, Northern Stage, Birmingham Hippodrome, and the National Theatre of Scotland all offer development programmes, workshops, and early-career opportunities.
Starting outside London can often mean:
One of the most powerful ways into theatre is to stop waiting for permission.
Write a play. Organise a scratch night. Collaborate with other creatives. Platforms like the Edinburgh Festival Fringe have launched countless careers built on self-created work.
Creating your own opportunities shows initiative and gives you something tangible to build on.
There’s no single way into theatre, and that’s what makes it such an exciting industry to be part of. Whether you choose an apprenticeship, apply for internships, take short courses, or start creating your own work, each path offers something different.
What matters is finding the route that works for you, your circumstances, your interests, and the way you learn best. Theatre needs a range of voices and experiences, and there’s space for more than one way in.
There isn't one fixed pathway. Find the route that suits you, and start there.
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.
