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:

• Paid apprenticeship: £26,436.8 per annum
• Full Time – 40 hours per week, which includes one day of college per week (remotely delivered by Chichester College Group).
• Frequent work during evenings and weekends, and sometimes overnights, around show performances.
• Fixed term contract - this is a 24-month contract to complete a Level 3 Creative Venue Technician apprenticeship.
• Full training provided, plus support from Chichester College Group

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:

• Basic computer skills.
• Some theatrical exposure and knowledge.
• Ability to work in a manual environment.
• Effective and efficient communicator.
• Excellent teamwork skills; Confident working and communicating with people at all levels.
• Self-awareness about your learning style, able to help managers to get the best from you.
• Excellent time-keeping abilities, able to follow instructions in a timely manner.
• Creative and problem-solving skills.
• Proven passion and a keen interest in technical theatre.
• Personal alignment with Birmingham Hippodrome’s Values.
• Respect for others, values diversity, and can work with in a diverse team with a wide range of people.
• An adaptable and flexible attitude to working in any parts of the organisation and completing new tasks as required.
• Keen to learn and develop, open to trying new areas and motivated to take part in new opportunities.
• A positive and proactive approach to work.
• Comfortable working at heights.
• Comfortable with physical work in a manual working environment.

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:

• Helped bring major musicals and our spectacular annual pantomime to life.
• Gained hands-on experience across backstage roles, including stage crew, followspot operation and pyrotechnics.
• Worked on lighting for musicals, ballets, operas, festivals and live events.
• Assisted with building sets and installing professional sound systems for touring productions.
• Supported large-scale productions, taking part in flys operations for immersive dance and audiovisual performances.
• Learned industry-standard theatre terminology, technology and software from experienced professionals.
• Shadowed backstage of touring productions, including rehearsals and promotional filming.
• Worked as show crews and operators across our main theatre and studio spaces.
• Designed and operated lighting for live comedy and other performances with creative input.
• Completed industry-recognised training, including ETC Eos lighting desks, pyrotechnics, Portable Appliance Testing, Tallescope, ABTT Bronze Award, IPAF, and d&b audiotechnik sound workshops.
• Designed and built press nights for major musicals and for our big winter pantomime

The Stage One Bursary supports emerging independent commercial theatre producers. Unlike many other funding opportunities, the bursary focuses on supporting the producers career trajectory rather than a specific production. Helping individuals build the skills, relationships and experience needed to establish themselves within the commercial theatre industry.

Producers may apply for up to £20,000 to support your development as an independent commercial theatre producer. In addition to financial support, bursary recipients are paired with an experienced industry mentor. The mentor will be available for consultation and advice, they will also sign off on your monthly report and invoices to Stage One.

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 Paid Residency Opportunity for Early-Career Artists in Bristol

Creative Futures is offering 4 early-career artists a £500 commission & a 3-month residency each to develop new art, music, sound &/or performance works. Creative Youth Network will provide commissioned artists with a structure of support, mentoring, artist-to-artist creative exchange & workshops to develop their creative practices, producing skills, professional networks, and artistic community - ending with a public showcase of the commissioned artist’s works at The Courts in Bristol’s city centre.

The residency runs from Tues 6th Oct 2026 - Tues 26th Jan 2027. Commissioned artists will receive:

• A £500 commission to create a new piece of work
• A 3-month residency at The Station, Bristol – including access to creative, dance & recording studio space
• A showcase at The Courts, Bristol
• Mentoring personalised to their creative practice
• Creative workshops
• 1-2-1 producing professional development sessions from CYN’s Creative team
• A structure of facilitated artist-to-artist creative exchange
• Support broadening their network
• Opportunities to form a creative community with fellow Creative Futures artist

We are looking for artists working across all creative disciplines, with two of the four places will be reserved for musicians and sound artists.

The National Youth Theatre's Stepping Up course is now open to applications!

Stepping Up is a free 3-month acting and leadership programme for young people who are looking to enhance their skills, learn in a supportive environment, and build meaningful connections within a creative community. 

As Stepping Up is an accredited course, run by National Youth Theatre in partnership with UCG (United Colleges Group), participants are able to achieve an OCN London Level 2 Extended Certificate in Performing Arts, as well as become a National Youth Theatre member.

Key Information:

- The course runs every Monday & Tuesday between 19th October 2026- 26th January 2027.

- Each week participants have one 10:30-4:30 session and one 10:30-8pm session. Tea, lunch and dinner breaks are included throughout the day.

- There are 2 strands (Actors & Leaders).

- Classes take place in the National Youth Theatre's base on the Holloway Road, N7, London.

Acting Pathway

(2 days/evenings a week on a Monday, & Tuesday or Tuesday and Wednesday if Bank Holiday week).

For young people who are new to performing and/or want to increase their confidence and performing skills. You will participate in units that include acting skills, improvisation, and physical theatre and you will perform in a final show at the end of the course.

Leadership Pathway

(2 days/evenings a week on a Monday, & Tuesday or Tuesday and Wednesday if Bank Holiday week.)

For young people who have an interest in performing and becoming facilitators in the future. The Leadership strand combines practical acting training alongside learning directing and facilitation skills, including increasing your knowledge of planning and delivering drama workshop and rehearsals. Units include Improvisation, Physical Theatre, Devising and Rehearsal Planning.

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.