Masterclass (part of the Get Into Theatre family) is seeking applications for a Wigs, Hair & Makeup Intern on a touring show. This is an exciting development opportunity for someone with styling and braiding experience, who wishes to develop their skills and build a career in theatre Wigs, Hair & Makeup (WHAM).
Not sure what job this internship could lead to? Check out a full list of backstage careers here.
Key Information:
đ Internship: 17 September 2026 â 15 November 2026. Please Note: All applicants must be able to commit to the full contract, and to travelling as part of a UK tour.
đ Apply by: 9am, Monday 3 August
đ€ Interviews: Mid-August
đ° Salary: Paid at London Living Wage, plus touring allowance
đBased: This internship is on a UK tour going to seven venues
âïž Contract Type: Fixed term
đŒ Working pattern: 6 days a week, including weekends. Average 40 hours per week.
Responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:
Styling and braiding of textured hair
Application of hair pieces
General preparation work
Support to the Head and Deputy Head of WHAM
Who Should Apply:âŻ
We're looking for candidates who:
â Have some experience or training with textured hair, braiding & hair pieces
â Are enthusiastic and keen to learn
â Are aged 18+
âŻâ Have the right to work in the UK for the full duration of the placement
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 â 17yrs offers workshops, talks and practical activities in:
Dates: Mon 27 â Fri 31 July
Time: 10.30am â 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 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, youâll get hands-on experience in costume design, hair and make-up design, and work with elements of technical theatre.
This course will focus on design for live performance, and youâll learn skills applicable to theatre, film, TV, live music, and other visual art forms. Sessions are led by the experienced Northern Stage team, and youâll work alongside guest artists and creatives working professionally in the region.
Understand the principles of designing and sourcing costumes for performance. Develop costume ideas, create mood boards, observe demonstrations, experiment with different design techniques, build your own costumes, try your hand at special effects makeup. Youâll work towards a mini exhibition at the end of the course to showcase your skills. No previous experience needed â just bring along your enthusiasm for creating!
Deadline to apply:Â 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:Â ÂŁ150 (If you have the means to pay for the full value of the course)
Discounted fee:Â ÂŁ90 (If you do not have the means to pay for the full value of the course)
Bursary places:Â 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 Stageâs strategic priorities. As part of a bursary place, we can also support with the cost of travelling to and from sessions.
With school holidays offering many young people the opportunity to take part in creative activities, itâs 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.
Weâre 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 childâs 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 personâs 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.
Work experience offers practical, hands-on insight into the theatre industry, helping you build skills, confidence, and a clearer understanding of different career pathways. Itâs an ideal first step when exploring a future in theatre. As an initial step, we recommend getting in contact with your local theatre to see if they offer any work experience opportunities.
While many people associate theatre careers with performing, there are a huge number of offstage roles that make productions possible. From stage management and lighting to marketing, producing, costume, sound, and technical theatre, work experience allows you to explore these departments and discover which areas interest you most. Taking part in work experience placements can provide a range of valuable benefits, including:
Understanding How Theatres Work:
Working within a theatre environment allows you to see how different departments collaborate to bring a production to life. This perspective is incredibly valuable if you're considering a career in the sector.
Developing Practical Theatre Skills:
Work experience often gives you the chance to assist with real tasks, whether thatâs supporting technical teams, observing rehearsals, helping front-of-house teams, or working with marketing and administration departments.
Building Confidence and Professional Skills:
Being part of a professional environment helps you develop communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills that are essential across the creative industries.
Making Connections in the Theatre Industry:
The theatre industry is highly collaborative. Work experience placements can introduce you to professionals working in the field and help you begin building a network within the industry.
Strengthening Future Applications:
Whether you're applying for drama school, university courses, apprenticeships, or entry-level roles, work experience demonstrates enthusiasm, initiative, and commitment to the sector.
Many theatres and arts organisations across the UK offer work experience placements, shadowing opportunities, and youth programmes. Availability and application processes vary, but the following organisations regularly provide opportunities for young people interested in theatre careers:
London
South of England
Midlands
North of England
North of England
Wales
Scotland
Northern Ireland
You may also want to check the websites of theatres local to you, as many venues offer placements throughout the year or during school holidays.
Work experience is one of the most valuable ways to begin exploring opportunities in theatre. It provides a clearer understanding of how productions are created and how different departments work together behind the scenes.
Whether your interests lie in technical theatre, production, stage management, marketing, or theatre administration, gaining offstage experience is an excellent way to start your journey in the industry.
A CPD opportunity for teachers to embed drama and creativity into their teaching, through working with a Bristol-based theatre company, Travelling Light.
Want to shake up your physics lesson but need some inspiration? Join Travelling Light on an exploration of how to incorporate more Drama into your classroom. Find out how a team of artists and teachers used arts-based learning to refresh their existing curriculum, whilst supporting pupil oracy, emotional literacy and wellbeing.
Key aims of the session:
Slots available in Bristol (8th Dec), Weston-Super-Mare (9th Dec) or Bath (11th Dec).
Please note, this is for teachers only.
Join WEST Youth Zone: Creative CollectiveÂ
Aged 13-19? Are you interested in scriptwriting, spoken word poetry, performing and acting? Want to brush up on your acting technique, build your confidence and meet new people?
Every Friday from 5-10pm @ WEST Youth Zone White City we are offering dedicated workshops to our âCreative Collectiveâ.
Become a member of WEST Youth Zone for just ÂŁ5 annual membership and 50p per entry, youâll unlock a place where you can make new friends, dive into 20+ fun activities a night, relax in a chilled space or try something new. You can also enjoy a tasty hot meal for just ÂŁ1 in our BiteCity CafĂ©!
WEST is open to young people aged 8 â 19 (up to 25 with additional needs) from all backgrounds, for all abilities, and all across West London and beyond, so come and join WEST â Where Everyone Sticks Together!
This exciting course provides an exceptional opportunity for anyone drawn to the world of theatre
You will explore the back-stage and on-stage disciplines of theatre. With a strong emphasis on personal creativity, the course provides a unique view of performance and production. It is a rewarding alternative to the traditional âAâ Level route. Equivalent to 3 âAâ Levels, it links theoretical preparation in lectures and workshops with practical classes.
Based on the idea of repertory theatre, students undertake public performances and musical/dance showcases. Students have been prize winners in the Northern Ireland Inter College Performing Arts Competitions.
The course is based in the Foyle Theatre complete with dressing rooms, costume store, stage craft and property workshops. AV equipment are of the highest professional standard. Whether working back-stage or performing onstage, you will gain an invaluable insight into the world of theatre and develop professional skills in both public performance and technical support.
This course will provide you with the opportunity to explore, develop and test your creativity within a qualification structure which is stimulating, demanding and supportive. It will offer you an excellent opportunity to develop all-round and transferable skills in all aspect of the make-up industry.
You will explore SFX, Prosthetics, Stage Make-Up and Hair, Period Make-Up and Hair, Body Art, Fashion and Fantasy. Alongside these specialisms you will also work on both small and large scale productions throughout the year, such as musicals and plays to design and realise the make-up and hair designs.
This will support your experience and expertise when planning and executing your Final Major Project, where you take on ownership and responsibility of managing the success of a collaborative performance.
These pathways are tailored for emerging Directors, Choreographers, Musical Directors, Designers, Lighting Designers, Stage Managers, Wardrobe Assistants and Technicians aged 16 to 23 who are in training or recently graduated from Higher Education.
Applications are open for 2025. There is ÂŁ25 application fee which gives access to preparatory online sessions, offering skill building and group mentorship. Following these sessions you will have the opportunity to apply for a specific role on a production.
