Young people
Whether you’re into writing or producing, lighting or sound, performing on stage or making it happen backstage – there’s something here for you.
We work with young people aged 13–25 to explore every aspect of theatre-making. Join in where you are, online or at the National Theatre on London’s South Bank.
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Applications open
Space to Create
Do you have bold ideas that you want to bring to life onstage? Space to Create is a free programme for young theatre makers aged 18-25 to work collaboratively with some of the UK’s most exciting theatre artists.
Young People’s Programme
Writing for Theatre
Ever thought about writing a play but don’t know how to get started? Our free playwriting course for 16–25-year-olds can help.
Young Producers
The National Theatre’s free How to be a Producer programme runs every February half-term at our building on the South Bank and is open to those aged 18–25.
Stage Management course
Learn all about the world of stage management with this free and hybrid course for those aged 16–21.
Young Technicians
The National Theatre’s Young Technicians programme provides free technical theatre training for young people aged 14–18.
Connections
Connections is the National Theatre’s annual, nationwide youth theatre festival. The programme is 30 years old and has a history of championing the talent of young people from across the UK.
Lifting the Lid: Collaboration
Coming up soon we’ll be exploring what collaboration means across three productions on our stages.
Careers
Whatever stage you’re at in your career, find opportunities at the National Theatre.
Emerging stage designers
The Linbury Prize is for graduating stage designers. It’s open for applications every two years and designed to help support entry into the industry.
Work Placements
Take your first steps into the theatre industry – we have short-term placements available for over-18s.
Apprenticeships
The National Theatre runs an apprenticeship programme across all areas of the organisation.
Archive Volunteers
Volunteer placements are available year-round for UK residents in our Archive.
In partnership
We are currently working on multi-year creative project in collaboration with people and community organisations across North Kensington, alongside our production Grenfell: in the words of survivors.
As part of this, some of our young people’s programmes will be run in the area specifically for young people who live, work, study or socialise in North Kensington. This year, both Space to Create and Writing for Theatre both took place in person at Morley College, in North Kensington.
Our funders
Young People’s Programmes are supported by Bank of America, The Maurice Hatter Foundation and the Richard Radcliffe Trust. With thanks to the MAP Fund.
The Mohn Westlake Foundation supports nationwide Learning programmes for young people.
Nationwide learning is supported by Buffini Chao Foundation, Clore Duffield Foundation, Tim & Sarah Bunting, MFPA Trust Fund for the Training of Disabled Children in the Arts, Behrens Foundation, Cleopatra Trust, and The Andor Charitable Trust.
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