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.
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.
Paid Scholarship Opportunities with Halifax Choral Society
Thanks to generous sponsorship from VCEP Ltd, Halifax Choral Society is able to offer new choral scholarships in our 25/26 season.
Choral scholarships may suit young singers who are looking to develop their skills and techniques. There will be solo opportunities, for which you will receive coaching from the Artistic Director and Conductor, Anthony Gray. There may be opportunities to develop other skills such as conducting or coaching individual singers or small groups. There is no age limit for the scholarships but we imagine they will suit sixth form, undergraduate or postgraduate students.
Rehearsals take place between 7.30pm and 9.30pm on Monday evenings at The Carlton Centre, Harrison Road, Halifax. HX1 2AD. This is conveniently located in the Town Centre, a five-minute walk from Halifax Station.
We ask for attendance at the four main concerts each year, at the final two rehearsals directly preceding each concert, plus 50% of the remaining rehearsals. Scholars are given first consideration for all solos in concerts and, if appropriate, are remunerated on top of the regular termly fee.
Anthony Gray adds: “I ask that the scholars are a strong presence in their part, especially during the note-learning phase.
I have often asked the scholars to take sectionals alongside me, depending on their willingness/ability.
All the scholars are asked to contribute to their section’s ’Vocal MOTs’, our new version of re-auditions, in which myself and the relevant scholar provide feedback and help on aural skills, vocal technique etc. Vocal MOTs begin at 7pm on the relevant part’s weeks, and I always schedule these dependant on the scholars’ availability.”
If you are interested in joining us as a scholar and would like to ask any questions ahead of applying, please e-mail Anthony Gray, Artistic Director and Conductor.
There is no closing date. We will aim to audition and appoint any suitable candidates as soon as applications come in.
University Centre Leeds
Bradford Producing Hub
If you’re a musician looking to further develop your skills, knowledge, and understanding to get into higher education or music employment then this is the right course for you. Offering flexibility, industry insights, and practical music skills, this course will give you everything you need to achieve your dreams.
Studying a BTEC in Music (Performing) will build on your existing knowledge in key areas including performance skills, composition and listening skills, analytical and presentation skills, and careers in the music industry. The course involves written, analytic, practical, and social skills ranging from performance to self-expression. Units cover Practical Music Theory & Harmony, Professional Practice in the Music Industry, Ensemble Music Performance, and Composing Music. You’ll also be free to use our industry standard recording studio. Plus, visits to local venues and London’s West End will take you beyond the campus.
Possible career paths
Your Assessment
