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
The Open House Project is a 12-week project for 15 care-experienced young people, combining life skills, drama and support, ending in a 4-week run of performances.
The process is holistic, beginning with the development of trust, empathy and foundational life and employment skills. Older members mentor younger ones, as momentum builds into a highly disciplined rehearsal process, co-creating the work alongside a professional creative team.
One-to-one support is provided for twelve months with a focus on bespoke pastoral support, mentoring, strategic planning and pathways into education, employment and training. Once completed, Young People are welcomed into the wider Big House community as members, enabling access to a range of opportunities.
If you or someone you know would be a good fit, contact the email address provided.
Dates: 28th September - 19th December
Hertford Regional College’s Higher Education provision in Performing Arts is designed to provide students with creative performance and management skills to develop themselves as independent artists and theatre-makers in the field of entertainment. The core focus of this course is to train students to produce, manage and sustain original theatrical work at a professional standard. Our facilities meet industry standards, and staff expertise and experience support students to prepare for industry.
Our students consistently demonstrate industry standard performances, underpinned by high attendance, leading to strong outcomes. This level 6 top-up year enables students to achieve a full BA Hons degree, providing them with a clear line of sight to employment.
This Level 6 provision has been produced in close collaboration with our partners and subject specialists at the University of Hertfordshire. The course develops students’ skills through technique classes, historical context lectures, application in rehearsal and performance, independent study, and reflective practice. Definitive module documents have been developed and refined to create a world class educational experience for our students’ Level 6 year.
Theatre and the arts have had a positive impact on the national economy and according to the Arts Council in 2018 ‘the arts and culture industry grew £390 million in a year and contributed £10.8 billion a year to the UK economy. The sector contributes £2.8 billion a year to the Treasury via taxation and generates a further £23 billion a year and 363,700 jobs.’ The report also states that 30% of this figure is combined arts and a direct 25% of this figure is theatre. Despite the pandemic affecting all industries in recent years, according to UK Theatre and Society of London Theatres ‘The theatre sector is normally responsible for directly and indirectly generating approximately £1 billion per annum in VAT revenue for HM Treasury, not including additional revenue in the form of PAYE and NI contributions. It will therefore play a vital part in the nation’s recovery.’ The arts have been supported during the time of the pandemic through the cultural support fund with the government recognising the importance and continued importance this industry has for the UK economy.
What will I be doing?
The programme consists of three modules: Advanced Character Performance, Planning New Theatrical Work & Creative Project.
Advanced Character Performance: This module enables students to critically analyse and interpret research to create a character through a devising process of original performance material informed by research. Students will perform original material in character, making choices in response to the character’s world. At the end of the module students will apply a critical self-reflection using reflective writing tools on planning, process, and product.
Planning New Theatrical Work: This module enables students to develop their own creative vision and investigate funding streams, audience markets and statutory requirements for producing and performing theatrical work.
Creative Project: This module enables students to work collaboratively to create a new original performance. Using skills and knowledge gained in previous modules students will work to create a new full-scale production. Students will explore and implement the cornerstones of performance creation.
Successful completion of:
In addition you will also need:
If you do not have the above grades in maths and English we will expect you to enrol in adult classes at the college.
Entry to this programme will also be determined by a self-tape audition submitted via an online platform.
We also welcome applicants with industry experience and will require a self-tape audition and portfolio of work.
How to Apply?
Applications are via UCAS to the University of Hertfordshire. Please use the below codes:
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.
A free digital resource celebrating the work of William Shakespeare, developed to bring audiences into direct contact with Shakespeare's language in an immediate and engaging way for students, teachers, actors and anyone with an interest in the plays.
Whether used in the classroom, for exam preparation, independent study or simply to inspire a love of Shakespeare, the library offers a fresh way to engage with these extraordinary works.
The library is available to access online free of charge.
Bristol Old Vic Young Company provides weekly drama sessions for ages 2-30. Sessions focus on ensemble working, devising, and playful creativity, and are led by trained facilitators working in the industry.
Members in the Year 10-11 and 16-25 classes can audition for our Young Company shows, which are performed on the Weston Studio stage and supported by a professional creative team (such as: How Do You Sleep at Night? | Bristol Old Vic). We perform two Young Company shows a year, one in January and one in April, and both are included in your Young Company membership. Casting for the January show will be held in September 2026.
All Young Company members have the chance to perform for family and friends during Springboard, our relaxed annual showcase. Members in Year 7 and above share their work on the Weston Studio stage.
Prices range from £40 for a five-week term for our younger years sessions, to £110 for a ten-week term for our senior sessions. We also offer a limited number of 50% and 100% bursaries. For more information, please see: Fees & Bursaries | Bristol Old Vic.
We also now have a session specifically for young people in Home Education, which runs on Mondays 11am-1pm.
This 2-day training course and 4-month apprenticeship scheme are ideal for drama, arts and occupational, therapists; arts practitioners; community arts workers; oral historians; group workers; reminiscence practitioners; and professionals working in health and social care. An interest in, or experience of, positive approaches to dementia care is beneficial.
The training course runs from 17th to 18th September 2026 in Camden, London.
For more information, please see the URL in the Opportunity Info section of this listing.
OpenView Education is a dynamic Theatre in Education Company. Our mission is to empower students to lead successful, happy lives.
Since 2018, OpenView Education has grown to work with over 100,000 students a year, delivering drama-led PSHE workshops that schools ask us back for, year after year.
That growth isn't slowing down, and we're looking for self-employed facilitators and performers to work with us.
“They are the best company. Honestly I'm saying this from the bottom of my heart. They're such an incredible company.” - OpenView Education Facilitator
As a company we are proud to have an excellent relationship with our facilitators, working in a collaborative way and setting them up to succeed.
“I feel like I've really improved my puppetry skills because I'm doing it all the time.” - OpenView Education Facilitator
Every booking is different, and the above structure is an example. But one thing's for sure - you’ll always feel well prepared, supported and ready to empower your students!
We are seeking reliable facilitators that are happy to work independently. Although you will work independently in the role, we are always available to support you.
We are particularly interested in hearing from actors and facilitators in the following areas:
Every person we work with is important and valued. Our goal is to create a diverse and inclusive working environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging.
We encourage applications from all backgrounds, which reflect the diverse communities of young people and schools we serve.
It's time to get excited about your next project - apply today.
For this role, we are looking for facilitators with availability during the following weeks:
You don't need to be available for all of these dates and work can be allocated around other projects that you may already have in place.
Most bookings are full days.
Plus travel contributions.
Zoom Audition:
This will be a first round group interview on Zoom. It will last approximately 20 minutes.
In-Person Group Audition:
The second round will be an in person group audition at a London Location.
This will be an activities based audition, you will also perform an excerpt from two of our Workshops.
This round will last approximately three hours.
We aim to make our in-person auditions supportive, interactive and fun - we’re sure you’ll enjoy the day.
Applications will be reviewed as they are received, so we encourage applying as ealy as possible.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Creative Steps funds the professional, business and organisational development of artists who have experienced barriers to careers within the arts.
Creative Steps for Individuals is for supporting career development, and NOT for creating new work or project delivery. For example, creating artwork to sell online would not be applicable but working with a mentor to develop your painting skills would be.
We want artists to identify exactly what they need to progress and professionalise their artistic career, and to remain open to exploring different ways of doing this with our support.
We recognise that everybody’s needs are different and that professional development varies from individual to individual. However, these are some of the things that your application could include:
When completing the budget, you should include the following:
We expect all applicants to pay freelancers the standard industry rates as a minimum. If people are providing their time in-kind, we would need to know why and have this confirmed in a letter of support from them.
The Open Fund for Individuals is one of Creative Scotland’s key funding programmes, supporting the wide range of activity initiated by artists, writers, producers and other creative practitioners in Scotland. The overall annual budget for this fund is £5 million.
The fund is intended to support periods of research, development and/or delivery of creative activity, such as specific projects and productions for up to 24 months. It can support an individual’s time where this is related to specific creative outcomes.
We will ask you to tell us the start and end date for this activity and to describe the outcomes, benefits and impacts that you wish to achieve.
Freelance and self-employed artists and creative practitioners living in Scotland who are at least 18 years old are eligible to apply. You must have a UK bank account in your name.
If you are not a self-employed individual or a sole trader, you may be eligible for the National Lottery Open Fund for Organisations.
Please read the guidance for full information on eligibility.
You can apply for between £500 and £50,000.
As standard, if your application request is between £500 and £20,000 you will hear the outcome in 10 weeks. If your application request is between £20,001 and £50,000 you will hear the outcome in 14 weeks.
Please see above for details of our 25/26 Christmas closure and the effects it will have on our processing timelines.
