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Skilled makers

We are a creative powerhouse and skills incubator, attracting the world’s most exciting theatre-makers.

A person wearing protective gear and a welding helmet is performing welding work on a metal structure in a workshop. Various tools, pipes, and sheets are visible around the workspace.

Creative talent is the lifeblood of our industry

We work with 1,500 creative freelancers every year.

We provide support and opportunities to help develop that talent, for our stages and the wider creative industries.

We offer training and apprenticeships for almost every aspect of the theatre industry from roles backstage to opportunities in business and operations. No matter your skill set or aspiration, there is a role at the National Theatre to explore.

 

Skills Centre

Two Apprentices wearing all safety clothing, in workshop.
Scenic Metal Apprentices, 2023, Photo by Cameron Slater

Supported by UK Government investment, New National Theatre Skills Centre offers resources, training and professional development. With opportunities available nationwide from entry-level to mid-career, for everyone from pupils in secondary schools to those seeking specialist professional development.

Under the guidance of world-leading experts, our programmes will help you to develop skills, open career pathways and access specialist training for a career in the creative industries.

Explore our pathways to a career in theatre

The National Theatre is a registered charity. Your support can help hundreds of thousands of people experience the joy of theatre.

Help make amazing theatre

Supporting the next generation of designers

A group shot of the 12 Linbury Prize recipients with Lady Anya Sainsbury at the Linbury Prize exhibition opening

The Linbury Prize

The Linbury Prize is an opportunity for early-career and graduating designers, offering twelve finalists the chance to work with some of the UK’s leading theatre, opera and dance companies. 
Linbury Prize
A young man and woman hold hands, looking at each other. Both are gesturing with their free hand and the woman holds a forked stick. They seem to be in a wood, at night and are surrounded by bodies lying on the ground.

The Max Rayne Design Bursary

Our annual opportunity for an early-career designer to join our team and gain in-depth experience of the design and production process by working closely with a broad range of award-winning designers.
Max Rayne Design Bursary

Technical training

Scenic art apprentice painting in a brightly lit workshop, wearing mask.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeships are a fantastic way to begin a career in theatre. Train and study on the job with both our backstage and business operations apprenticeships.

Apprenticeships
A technician in a white hat showing four people in orange hats how to work a rig

Young Technicians

Our free in-depth technical theatre course for 13-19 year olds, exploring the basics of lighting, sound, video and the stage.

Young Technicians

Interested in developing your training opportunities for young people?

Our Technical Training Theatre network helps theatre and arts organisations who are running their own technical and production training for young people. Organisations can join our network to share practice and explore potential future collaborations.

Discover the pathways and training we offer to support an entry-route into backstage and technical careers.

Join the Technical Training Theatre network

More to explore

Explore our other work with audiences across the country, local communities, and young people.

Audiences

We entertain audiences across the UK and around the world. Making world-class theatre accessible to everyone, everywhere.

For audiences everywhere
A group of six children sat in a line, smiling and clapping at a performance

Young people

We ignite the creativity of young people, reaching over 40,000 individuals every year with our nationwide learning programmes.

Schools & young people
A theatrical scene featuring actors and two life-size horse puppets on stage. One actor rides one of the puppet horses while others stand nearby, one playing an accordion. The background displays an illustration of a rural landscape with trees and buildings.

World-class work

We’re committed to helping artists to produce their best work.

World-class work