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!
Applications are now open for the HAC Young Creatives Programme 2026-27! An exciting opportunity for young adults aged 19-26 to gain free creative industry skills.
What's on Offer:
The HAC Young Creatives Programme aims to develop the skills and talents of young people looking to begin careers in the theatre industry. The course is designed to develop your individual creative practice, and work together as an ensemble to create a professional production.
Term 1:
Term 2:
The course will take place on Thursday evenings (term time) between September 2026 - April 2027, with an intensive showcase rehearsal week from 22nd - 25th March 2027.
Content has been designed to develop your creative skills and your practical knowledge so you’re ready to go out into the industry and take the limelight. What’s more, you’ll meet like-minded creative enthusiasts and become part of a supportive and inspiring artistic community.
To apply, please fill out the application form at the base of this page. If you'd prefer to send your answers to us in video format, please send to participation@harrowarts.com with the subject line 'Young Creatives Application'.
Youth Advisory Board Members - Chichester Festival Theatre
We believe positive change can be ignited by young people. We endeavour to create an atmosphere where debate and collaboration is celebrated, where young people’s voices are heard and where there is the space and opportunity to think boldly and dynamically about how best to drive Chichester Festival Theatre towards a diverse, inspiring and exciting future.
We are looking for four innovative and driven young people between the ages of 16-25 to join our current members of the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) and help think creatively about how the Theatre can work to welcome diverse and dynamic audiences. It doesn’t matter whether you have previously engaged with the Theatre or not, we want to hear from people with a variety of interests, which may include the arts.
The YAB will have the opportunity to collaborate with the Festival Theatre’s Board of Trustees, taking part in a two-way conversation on how best to make the Theatre a more inviting and exciting place for young people.
Sound like something you would like to get involved in? Please visit our website for full details and the application form to apply https://www.cft.org.uk/jobs/yab
We believe that playwrights have a vital role to play in the conversation around the climate. Theatre is a space for animating audiences, forming communities, and experimenting with form; a space for processing the past, articulating the present, and imagining the future. In order to surface the breadth and diversity of new stories about this planetary moment, the Climate Playwriting Prize is an open invitation to playwrights to respond creatively to this subject matter. Regional and touring theatre is playing a vital role in engaging audiences, and we are partnering with organisations all around the country to deliver workshops to writers, unlocking how they might want to tell their climate story.
This moment is marked by rising temperatures, escalating impacts of change on communities and ecosystems, but also by the potential for us to transform society for a flourishing, equitable future for all life. The need for new stories that help audiences grapple with the realities and possibilities of this crisis has never been clearer
In order to surface the breadth and diversity of new stories about this planetary moment, the Climate Playwriting Prize is an open invitation to playwrights to respond creatively to this subject matter. We are partnering with organisations all around the country to deliver workshops to writers, unlocking how they might want to tell their climate story.
Connections Through Culture (CTC) grants are designed to enable meaningful partnerships, cross-cultural exchange and long-term collaboration between the UK and participating countries.
Grants of between £5,000 and £15,000 are available to support creative practitioners, cultural professionals, artists, organisations, festivals, biennials, hubs and collectives to develop and deliver projects across a range of themes and art forms.
Eligible activity may include:
Fire up your imaginations and discover the world of performance and theatre-making with Theatre Royal Plymouth's Creative Explorers.
During the term, young people will explore new skills and develop their knowledge by engaging with a variety of theatrical conventions, this may include storytelling, devising from stimulus and performance opportunities.
Sessions will begin weekly from 26 Sep – 18 Dec with a break for half term (26 Oct – 01 Nov).
Running time: 90 minutes, 10.30am – 12pm or 12:30pm – 2pm
Cost: £80, bursary places available.
Work In Theatre is an opportunity to explore, hear more about and take part in workshops about the hidden areas of theatre that people often do not know exist.
This hands-on work experience course for young people aged 14 – 17yrs offers workshops, talks and practical activities in:
Dates: Mon 27 – Fri 31 July
Time: 10.30am – 4pm each day
There are a limited number of subsidised places to improve equal access to the industry for those who are disadvantaged by their socio-economic background, additional needs, Black, Asian & ethnic backgrounds and those in care or previously in care. Please email jackiealexander@atgentertainment.com to apply.
Young Directors is a 10-week introduction to directing live performance course for young people aged 13-17, hosted by Northern Stage.
The sessions consist of a series of interactive workshops, masterclasses with industry professionals, and opportunities to see shows at Northern Stage.
Young Directors will learn all about the essentials of directing live performance – from learning how to work with actors to exploring scripts and discovering the kind of theatre you’d like to create. No previous experience needed – just bring along your desire to discover more about different ways to make theatre!
Deadline to apply: Sunday 16 August
The cost of the course varies depending on your circumstances. Northern Stage have created a payment scale (see below) to help you identify which fee is appropriate for you. Fees cover the cost of the 10 sessions as well as tickets to selected performances at Northern Stage as part of the programme.
Fees are required to be paid in advance of starting the course and more information about how to do this will follow if you are successfully selected to take part.
Standard fee: £150 (If you have the means to pay for the full value of the course)
Discounted fee: £90 (If you do not have the means to pay for the full value of the course)
Bursary places: FREE*
*Bursary places are limited and bursary applications from young people from a low-socioeconomic background, from the global majority or with a disability will be prioritised, in line with Northern Stage’s strategic priorities. As part of a bursary place, we can also support with the cost of travelling to and from sessions.
Young Designers is a 10-week course for young people aged 13-17, hosted by Northern Stage.
Explore how designers bring theatre to life in their weekly introductory masterclasses! Guided by industry professionals, you’ll get hands-on experience in stage and scenic design, costume design, and work with elements of technical theatre.
This course will focus on design for live performance, and you’ll learn skills applicable to theatre, film, TV, live music, and other visual art forms. Sessions are led by the experienced Northern Stage team, and you’ll work alongside guest artists and creatives working professionally in the region.
Learn the principles of building a world for a performance. Develop set ideas, create mood boards, build model boxes, try scenic painting and make props. You’ll work towards a mini exhibition at the end of the course to showcase your skills. No previous experience needed – just bring along your enthusiasm for creating!
Deadline to apply: Sunday 16 August
The cost of the course varies depending on your circumstances. Northern Stage have created a payment scale (see below) to help you identify which fee is appropriate for you. Fees cover the cost of the 10 sessions as well as tickets to selected performances at Northern Stage as part of the programme.
Fees are required to be paid in advance of starting the course and more information about how to do this will follow if you are successfully selected to take part.
Standard fee: £150 (If you have the means to pay for the full value of the course)
Discounted fee: £90 (If you do not have the means to pay for the full value of the course)
Bursary places: FREE*
*Bursary places are limited and bursary applications from young people from a low-socioeconomic background, from the global majority or with a disability will be prioritised, in line with Northern Stage’s strategic priorities. As part of a bursary place, we can also support with the cost of travelling to and from sessions.
