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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

Five people in colorful vintage attire are framed within pink square cutouts against a bright pink background. They each pose differently, showcasing their unique outfits, which feature eccentric accessories like a large hat, pearls, and floral embellishments.

In Focus: The Importance of Being Earnest

We’ll be exploring our production of The Importance of Being Earnest. You’ll take part in two workshops and a panel discussion, exploring and experimenting with creative teams across this production.

Applications for 23 January 2025 are now open.

Info & application form

Young People’s workshops
Three performers in whimsical costumes pose against a colorful, painted backdrop. One is upside down on a trapeze, another stands holding a prop, and the third hangs from aerial hoops. They wear fluffy dresses and expressive accessories.

In Focus: Ballet Shoes

Join us to explore our production of Ballet Shoes – a spectacular new re-imagining of the beloved novel. This will be a practical theatre-making workshop led by the show’s creative team, so come ready to make, move and create.

Applications for 18 January 2025 are now open.

Info & application form 

In Focus: Ballet Shoes
Two young people are gathered around a lighting board. An adult standing beside them, pointing at a printed diagram. The room is dimly lit.

Nationwide Young Technicians

Are you interested in lighting, sound, video and automation? Are you aged between 13–19? Then our free technical theatre programme could be for you!

Applications for 2025 are now open.

Info & application form 

Nationwide Young Technicians

More from the Young People’s Programme

A group of diverse people sitting in a room, engaged in conversation. Three women in the foreground are sitting and talking, holding notebooks and pens. Others in the background are talking and writing, suggesting an interactive workshop setting.

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.

Find out more

Young Producers
A group of diverse young people seated and attentively watching a presentation or performance. They are indoors in a theatre auditorium and appear engaged, with some wearing colorful lanyards or accessories.

Young People's workshops

Whether you have a keen interest in theatre, or you’ve never been to the National Theatre before, our Young People’s workshops offer a welcoming environment for an in-depth look at our shows. Keep your eyes out for our upcoming workshop on The Importance of Being Earnest.

Find out more

Young People's workshops
A young person lying down on the floor with their legs crossed

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.

Find out more

Space to Create
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Young Technicians

The National Theatre’s Young Technicians programme provides free technical theatre training for young people aged 14–18.

Find out more

Young Technicians
A group of performers wearing eclectic, rugged outfits stand in a line on stage, holding hands and singing energetically. The background is dark with a set piece piled with clothes and a traffic cone. The scene exudes a theatrical and dramatic ambiance.

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.

Find out more

Connections
A person is sitting down, holding a notebook open with multiple written pages. They are writing or drawing in the notebook using a pen held in their right hand. The scene is indoors with an out-of-focus background. The person is wearing a dark-coloured sleeve.

Writing for Theatre

Ever thought about writing a play but don’t know how to get started? Our free playwriting course for 16–20-year-olds can help.

Find out more

Writing for Theatre
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Stage Management course

Learn all about the world of stage management with this free and hybrid course for those aged 16+.

Find out more

Stage Management course

Careers

Whatever stage you’re at in your career, find opportunities at the National Theatre.

 

The Linbury Prize for Stage Design in white font against a background of a design exhibition featuring drawings and white card designs flooded in orange light

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.

The Linbury Prize

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

Work Placements

Take your first steps into the theatre industry – we have short-term placements available for over-18s.

Work placements for over 18s

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Apprenticeships

The National Theatre runs an apprenticeship programme across all areas of the organisation.

Apprenticeships

Two people sorting through material in the National Theatre Archive

Archive Volunteers

Volunteer placements are available year-round for UK residents in our Archive.

Volunteering with the Archive

In partnership

We are currently working on a 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 programmes will be run in the area, specifically for young people who live, work, study or socialise in North Kensington.

A handmade sign looking like an Underground station sign, with a red heart and blue rectangle with Community in white lettering, together with other signs, outside a brick building on which is a street sign for Ladbroke Grove W11 in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea.
Photography by Avpics. Art by Sophie Lodge.

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.

Creative Careers enabled by TikTok.

Find out more about supporting our work