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.
Discover your skills as a storyteller and explore the world of Theatre Making!
Whether you're interested in writing scripts, directing a scene or devising from a stimulus, this course will allow you to develop your collaboration skills and enhance your creativity.
General FAQs
Is there any level of skill or experience required?
Unless specified, none of our courses or sessions require any prior knowledge or experience, and are welcome to all, from beginners to experts.
I haven’t received any information since booking, is this a problem?
You should receive a confirmation email after booking the course, if you do not have this, please contact the Box Office by calling 01635 46044 or email boxoffice@watermill.org.uk. You will then receive more thorough information from the Outreach team in the days before the course starting.
What do I need to bring with me?
Please wear comfortable clothes that are easy to move in and will keep you covered during any physical movement. Bring water in a clearly labelled or colourful bottle. You may also want to bring something to take notes with. If you have any medication you may need to take, please bring them in a clearly labelled bag and ensure we are aware by completing our Outreach booking form.
Where will the course take place?
Most of our sessions and courses take place on-site in our rehearsal room or studio at the Watermill Theatre. Our studio is the door with white to the far right of the car park. There some signs pointing towards it around the car park. Some sessions and courses may take place elsewhere, but this will be specified in your welcome email.
Who will be running the sessions/course?
Our Get Involved activities are run by a variety of professional theatre makers. This varies from freelance facilitators to members of the production crew or cast of our productions. All will have great experience and expertise in the content of the sessions and will be familiar with The Watermill’s safeguarding policies.
This intensive Foundation Course in Acting is designed to prepare you for rigorous degree-level training. Tailored for passionate emerging artists aged 18 and above, this course builds the essential tools of the actor: voice, movement, imagination, and presence.
The course fosters creativity, discipline, and collaboration, ensuring you are fully equipped to meet the demands of professional training and beyond.
The Foundation Course in Acting at OSD has been running for over 25 years, with the majority of graduates are now pursuing successful careers on the stage and screen.
The course lasts two terms. Entry is by audition only.
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.
Oxford School of Drama
New Adventures
Farnham Maltings
Work alongside industry specialists as you develop your skills and abilities through the three essential disciplines: Acting, Dance and Singing. Collaborate, create and gain performance experience from full scale musicals to a graduate showcase.
With this musical theatre course you’ll become a confident, creative and self-motivated individual, ready to break into the industry.
This dynamic and intensive course takes place across four terms in a full calendar year. It is designed for those aged 21 and over who can discover and realise their potential as a creative artist over a year of training. You will be taught in group classes, developing your professionalism, collaboration and technical skill through ensemble learning and individual tutorials.
We expect you to be bold and fearless in your willingness to understand yourself and be prepared to be open and curious whilst experimenting with new methods of working. Throughout your training you will have opportunities to collaborate with leading directors, writers and producers.
The year culminates in London where you will perform in London venues to the public and to an invited industry audience. On completion of the course, you will be awarded Equity membership.
Graduates of this course include Tanya Reynolds, Babou Ceesay, Jude Owusu, Claire Foy and Richard Gadd.
