The Stage One Bursary supports emerging independent commercial theatre producers. Unlike many other funding opportunities, the bursary focuses on supporting the producers career trajectory rather than a specific production. Helping individuals build the skills, relationships and experience needed to establish themselves within the commercial theatre industry.
Producers may apply for up to £20,000 to support your development as an independent commercial theatre producer. In addition to financial support, bursary recipients are paired with an experienced industry mentor. The mentor will be available for consultation and advice, they will also sign off on your monthly report and invoices to Stage One.
Technical Theatre Apprentice opportunity at Chichester Festival Theatre
National Minimum Wage (higher than apprenticeship wage)
Start date October 2026
Full Time, fixed term (24 months)
Are you looking for a practical route into the creative industries? Would you like to learn directly from experienced professionals in a working environment? Do you want to develop useful skills, kick-start or change the direction of your career and gain a nationally recognised qualification? Then our Technical Theatre Apprenticeship may be for you!
We're recruiting for a Technical Theatre Apprentice to join us from October, to work in our busy Production department. This opportunity provides experience, skills, knowledge and formal training whilst working on a range of professional theatre productions across our three stages and elsewhere.
The Technical Theatre Apprenticeship post suits those who are 18+ and looking for the next step. This role is aimed at a practically-minded, energetic and committed person who is passionate about theatre and live arts.
No previous experience in theatre or live events is necessary for this role, just a passion and interest in theatre.
Technical Apprenticeships at CFT are hands-on paid working roles, learning all the skills required of a professional Technician equipping them to enter the industry after the fixed two-year term. You will receive a nationally recognised Level 3 Creative Industries Production Technician Apprenticeship qualification, whilst working with some of the most eminent industry professionals in the country.
All previous CFT apprentices have gone on to work professionally across the Performing Arts industry including on tours and in the West End in a variety of roles. Work in the Live Events sector would also be suited to the skills developed in this role.
Join us for more information!
If you want to find out more about apprenticeships and working at CFT, as well as getting some advice on how to apply and meet some of the team, we are running open mornings in the Festival Theatre Foyer on:
You're welcome to bring your parents, carer or partner with you to these events, you will just need to register with us so we know who is coming!
Role Overview
This opportunity is for someone interested in learning more about Movement Direction for theatre. This role will provide the opportunity to shadow and observe the work of the Movement Director Lucie Pankhurst in her work on Some Woman by Helen Edmundson.
The role will be most suitable for someone who is a committed to pursuing Movement Direction as a career and is keen to shadow and observe the work of a Movement Director and further develop their insight and understanding in this area.
Key dates
Application deadline Monday 10 August
Interviews w/c 17 August
Rehearsals start Tuesday 24 August
Placement Starts W/C 31 August
Technical rehearsals begin W/C 28 September (TBC)
First preview Wednesday 7 October 2026
Press night Thursday 15 October 2026
The placement will be the equivalent of 8 days between the 31 August and 15 October to be agreed between the placement and the NT Skills Centre, ensuring that the placement will be able to observe key moments in the production process.
Role Overview
This opportunity is for someone interested in learning more about Sound Design for theatre. This role will provide the opportunity to shadow and observe the work of the Sound Designers Max and Ben Ringham in the creation of their sound design for Some Woman by Helen Edmundson.
The role will be most suitable for someone who is a committed to pursuing sound design and is keen to shadow and observe the work of a Sound Designer and further develop their insight and understanding in this area.
Key dates
Application deadline Tuesday 4 August
Interviews w/c 10 August
Rehearsals start Tuesday 24 August
Technical rehearsals begin W/C 28 September (TBC)
First preview Wednesday 7 October 2026
Press night Thursday 15 October 2026
The placement will be the equivalent of 10 days between the 24 August and 15 October to be agreed between the placement and the NT Skills Centre, ensuring that the placement will be able to observe key moments in the production process.
Join the Creators' Programme at the Young Vic!
To be part of the Creators’ Program and the Creators’ Program Network, you should be a professional artist who is:
The Creators’ Program Network is a unique online space where artists can exchange opportunities, share resources, and be part of a network of artists. This is also where all our events, workshops, and ticket offers will be listed.
Pleasance Theatre offer work experience placements throughout the year to anyone who thinks they might be interested in a career in the arts.
The placements will including shadowing their Front of House, Box Office and Technical teams, as well as working with the administration staff.
They are particularly interested in hearing from people based in Islington and from underrepresented groups.
Royal Court Theatre are looking to work with early-career directors with a background in directing and/or facilitating, with particular interest in directing new writing and developing their wider skills and abilities towards future freelance careers and artistic leadership roles. The Royal Court Trainee Director scheme has had an impressive history supporting the next generation of brilliant directors and artistic leaders, with alumni including Rufus Norris, Roy Alexander Weise, Lyndsey Turner and Milli Bhatia. We can’t wait to see who’s next.
They are currently hiring two Trainee Directors with a six month shared overlap. One position will start in January 2027; the second in June 2027; each for one year.
The successful candidate will have:
This eight-week course will develop your creative writing skills and provide you with the confidence to bring an idea for theatre to life through an active, practical approach that brings writers into collaborative exploration.
Open to anyone aged 18 and over with enthusiasm and an idea to explore whether you're a complete beginner or returning to creative writing, this course welcomes those interested in writing plays, screen projects, poetry, spoken word or performance art.
You'll develop writing techniques through practical exercises and improvisation, gain a solid understanding of structure, form and character development, and work towards a completed piece of writing by the end of the course. Optional homework (about one hour per week) is recommended to gain the most from the course, and attendance of all eight sessions is encouraged to support your progression and the benefit of the group. You'll have the opportunity to hear your writing performed by actors in the final weeks.
This opportunity will run for eight-weeks, starting 01/10/2026, on Thursdays 7.30pm - 9.30pm
7th – 8th August 2026
Upgrade Yourself Festival is back with two FREE days of connecting you with cultural changemakers and creative visionaries.
This year's edition of the festival will be an upgrade in itself. We’re going beyond your traditional careers festival to explore and celebrate creativity as a tool for self-expression, creative growth, and collective imagination.
Curated for creatives aged 16–30, expect two days of dreaming, reflecting, imagining and testing new ideas. Empowering you to express yourself, build your community, and experiment boldly.
Whether you’re just starting out or ready to take your next step, come get inspired, make new connections and celebrate the future of creativity. We can't wait to see everyone there!
Back for its second year, the Young Associates programme is an exciting opportunity for emerging performers aged 18–26 to explore a broad range of creative roles across theatre and live events.
From September 2026 – May 2027, the programme connects young creatives with industry professionals to develop skills in creative management, writing, directing, production, and collaborative projects, while offering mentorship from peer mentors.
As part of the application process, auditions will be led by acclaimed theatre director Philip J Morris, giving applicants the opportunity to showcase their creativity in front of an experienced industry professional.
Start date: Thursday 24 September 2026
Sessions: Thursdays, 7pm – 9pm
Term 1 (Sept–Dec): Curating Your Own Work
Term 2 (Jan–Feb): Creative Management
Term 3 (Mar–May): Showcasing Skills
Young Associates get free tickets to shows at Brixton House, weekly mentorship and industry insight, workshops and masterclasses, and hands-on experience in festivals and events.
