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
From the buzz of show days to the behind-the-scenes magic: gain hands-on experience across a wide range of technical activities both on and off stage.
ABOUT US:
With a mission to enrich the cultural life of our region, Birmingham Hippodrome is one of the most popular theatre complexes in the UK. Varied productions in our 1,850-seat auditorium (dating from 1899), and in our 200-seat Patrick Studio ensure we play a key role in the region’s world-class cultural scene. With c.400 live performances annually in our main house, we present nothing but the best in touring musical theatre, ballet, dance, opera, pantomime, drama, and comedy. Our Patrick Studio welcomes a range of smaller-scale productions and is an important base for dance and for the development of new artistic work.
Our Tech Team is welcoming, inclusive, and committed to passing on knowledge and skills, willing to teach and train. Plus, we get to work on some of the largest UK touring shows. This year we had 2 of our amazing apprentices graduate, and both are now working in Technical Theatre roles.
ABOUT THE ROLE:
As an apprentice in the vibrant world of theatre, the post-holder will play an active role in supporting the technical team to deliver high-quality theatre productions. From the buzz of show days to the behind-the-scenes magic, they will gain hands-on experience across a wide range of technical activities both on and off stage, including get-ins and get-outs, show running, equipment maintenance, and general backstage operations. This role offers a unique opportunity to learn the full scope of technical theatre while contributing to the smooth and successful running of live performances.
ABOUT YOU:
We are looking for someone with a real passion and interest in technical theatre. Previous experience would be useful, but it's more important that you are proactive, motivated, and eager to learn.
You must be over 18 (or will be by 21 September) and have passed GCSE English and Maths. You cannot have a degree-level qualification as a Creative Venue Technician or in Technical Theatre, but an adjacent subject such as Music Production would be fine.
You must also have:
Recognising under-representation in our workforce of the global majority, and people with disabilities, we particularly welcome applicants from those backgrounds.
OUR APPRENTICES:
Birmingham Hippodrome are very proud of our apprenticeships tradition, particularly in our Technical department, and won an Apprenticeship Employer of the Year award in 2025. Our previous Technical Apprentices have:
Almeida For Free is an exciting festival for people aged 25 and under.
Running alongside their productions, the festival gives young people the chance to see the productions for free, and to also take part in workshops, panel discussions and masterclasses that cover everything from acting and writing, to theatre-making and design.
It is a celebration of young people’s creativity that takes over the whole theatre and aims to give an insight into the way shows are created at the Almeida.
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'.
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.
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:
A great opportunity to learn about the basic techniques of puppetry and how to bring a story to life using this theatrical device.
With insight into the Made At Curve productions that utilised this method, such as PIRATES LOVE UNDERPANTS and THE OWL THAT CAME FOR CHRISTMAS, are you ready to take on a creative challenge that will be full of fun, storytelling and amazing characters?
Date: 18 August 2026
Running time: 2pm – 5pm
Cost: £25 - A limited number of free bursary places are available for families facing financial hardship. If you would like to be considered for a bursary place, please email cycc@curvetheatre.co.uk. They would require evidence of being receipt of benefits or eligible for free school meals or pupil premium.
Have you ever wanted to know more about the technical side of theatre, and all that goes into collaborating with the director and design teams?
Well join Curve Theatre, Leicester for a day and find out how it's all done, from the set, props and costumes in a Made a Curve production, to exploring lighting and sound that enhances the experience for an audience.
No experience needed, just your enthusiasm for backstage roles!
Date: 10 August 2026
Running time: 10am – 5pm
Cost: £50 - A limited number of free bursary places are available for families facing financial hardship. If you would like to be considered for a bursary place, please email cycc@curvetheatre.co.uk. They would require evidence of being receipt of benefits or eligible for free school meals or pupil premium.
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.
