Ignition is Frantic Assembly's FREE nationwide talent development programme for young people aged 16 - 24. AND YOU ARE INVITED!
Working with 13 regional partners, Ignition sets out to find people with the potential to work in the Arts, opening doors and making them feel their presence is welcome.
No experience is necessary, and we particularly look for young people who have little or no previous involvement with theatre or the arts.
Throughout September and October, we travel across the UK to deliver Trial workshops. Visiting theatre and non-theatre spaces, these workshops are created for young people with little or no experience of theatre, who face barriers accessing the Arts, and may never have considered a pathway in the industry possible. Ignition tells them they can be part of it and that their voice is not only welcome, but needed. The programme culminates in five days of training and devising with Frantic, in London, producing original shows for a public audience.
WHAT IS A TRIAL?
A workshop to further understand and explore Frantic’s distinct approach to devising theatre.
WHAT IS THE INTENSIVE?
Selected from the trials, 24 participants will join each other for a week in London. Guided by Frantic Assembly, they will create two original performances for a public audience.
All aspects of the Intensive (travel to London, accommodation, and food) are paid for by Frantic Assembly, thereby removing financial barriers to participation.
For those that take part in the Ignition intensive, we offer a year-round access programme that continues to develop, mentor, and signpost training and career opportunities with Frantic Assembly and their partners, throughout the UK.
Sign-ups open Mon 10 Aug 2026, 9am and close Thurs 10 Sep 2026, 9pm
Sheffield Theatres are looking for a Making Room Observer to join the company of Twelfth Night.
Making Room Observer opportunities are for aspiring and early-career theatre creatives based locally to Sheffield Theatres who want to familiarise with professional rehearsal practice.
Making Room Observers are invited to observe one day each week of rehearsal, and two days of technical rehearsals. Making Room Observers are also invited to attend a preview performance and opening night.
The Making Room Observer for Twelfth Night will receive a £350 fee to support their attendance and observation of the rehearsal process.
The Trainee Youth Theatre Assistant position is a great opportunity for an individual looking to gain facilitator experience working with a professional theatre Creative Learning team.
The applicant will be assisted by the broader team to develop a broad range of skills that will help to support a further career as Youth Theatre Leader, Director or those wanting to work with young people and communities.
Theatre Royal Bury St. Edmunds are looking to recruit 2x Trainee Youth Theatre Assistant Leaders (for applicants aged 16-18).
Deadline: Midday Monday 17 August 2026
Interviews will take place on 24 August 2026 at Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds. Applications can also be submitted by audio or video format.
The Dukes are looking for up to five theatre makers/creatives to join them as Associate Artists for a period of 18 months. Theatre makers, companies or individuals from an array of artistic discipline. This could include: writers, directors, designers, producers, companies and others that may benefit from this opportunity.
What is the Associate Artist Programme?
Within our Talent Development programme, The Dukes’ ambition is for our venue to be known in the North West as a welcome hub for artists to collaborate and stretch their creative muscles. The Dukes is committed to providing support to our selected Associate Artists, who are at varying stages of their career, with the hopes of establishing a creative, empowered and balanced partnership. We also wish to bring artists together, so they too can expand their working relationships.
The Associate Artist Programme provides support such as:
*please note, The Dukes does not offer commission to artists for this programme
The Dukes also offers advocacy within Venues North and other relevant networks and events.
Application Process:
To apply, please send an expression of interest explaining why you would like to be an Associate Artist (no more than one side of A4) as well as a summary (or CV) of your experience and past work. Please send this to the email below with the subject ‘FAO: Emma Nixon - Associate Artist Application’.
Things to consider for your application:
Deadline for applications: Monday 17th August 2026
For the shortlisted artists, we will be in touch and it's likely you'll be invited to an informal meeting to discuss your work and ideas.
Cameron Mackintosh Ltd are looking for an enthusiastic and creative individual to undertake a Wigs, Hair, Make Up and Prosthetics Technician Apprenticeship on a full-time 27-month contract, in collaboration with Chichester College.
You will work directly alongside world-class wigs, hair, and make-up professionals on iconic West End and industry-leading regional productions, working towards a nationally recognised Level 3 apprenticeship. This program balances real-world production work with structured vocational learning, with 1 day per week to study and/or attend college, as well as spending 2 weeks of residential learning at Northbrook College in Worthing.
The Apprenticeship will begin in October 2026.
Young Creatives is a friendly place for people ages 13 – 17 to explore all things ‘behind the scenes’ at a theatre! This is an opportunity to try new things, make new friends, and see shows together.
Workshops are entry-level and will be a mix of creative and social sessions with fun crafts, games and activities. There will also be workshops in some of the following areas:
The Northern Stage team and guest artists will give you a basic introduction to each of these areas, with an opportunity to try an activity in each discipline.
Applications are open throughout the term but may close if spaces are filled.
Young Technicians is aimed at young people aged 15-19-years-old who are interested in getting to grips with lighting, sound and stage management in a variety of indoor and outdoor settings. The course runs over a twelve-week period in the Autumn here at Lighthouse Poole.
Led by James Smith, Technical Manager of Lighthouse Poole and Production Designer & Technical Director of our pantomime, you will be given the chance to see what goes on behind the scenes of this year’s show, Jack and the Beanstalk, working alongside all technical departments during the run-up to opening night.
You will have the opportunity to take part in masterclasses led by industry-leading professionals with hands on sessions covering all elements required to deliver world class live entertainment.
Takes place November 2026 - February 2027
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.
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:
Chichester Festival Theatre believe positive change can be ignited by young people. They endeavour to create an atmosphere where debate and collaboration are 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.
They are looking for four innovative and driven young people between the ages of 16-25 to join their 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, they 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 their website for full details and the application form to apply.
