Young People's workshops

Are you aged 13 – 25 and want to take part in workshops, meet new people and see world-class theatre?

Whether you have a keen interest in theatre, or you’ve never been to the National Theatre before, our In Focus workshops offer a welcoming environment for an in-depth look at our shows.

Applications have just opened for our next In Focus workshop on Ballet Shoes. Keep your eyes out for our next In Focus workshop on The Importance of Being Earnest with applications opening soon.

Coming up we can’t wait to explore Ballet Shoes, a spectacular new re-imagining by Kendall Feaver of Noel Streatfeild’s beloved novel.

The workshop will be led by members of the show’s creative team and will explore the wonderfully whimsical elements of this production. This will be a practical theatre-making workshop, so come ready to make, move and create. There will also be time at the end of the workshop for a short Q&A with the creative and the NT team.

These opportunities are free to take part in – no prior experience is necessary, just a sense of curiosity and creativity!

As part of the day, you will also receive a free ticket to see the production that same evening.

Date: Saturday 18 January 2025
Workshop: 10.30am – 12.30pm
Performance: 1.30pm (Olivier Theatre)
Location: All sessions will take place at the National Theatre, London

Please note: you must be able to attend the full day to take part.

Applications close on Friday 22 November 2025, 10am. 

Apply here

We’ll be lifting the lid on our production of A Tupperware of Ashes. Come and take part in a day of workshops at the National Theatre to explore the play in more depth with creatives working across the production.

Participants will take part in two workshops and a panel discussion, exploring and experimenting with creative teams. This workshop is aimed at hands-on theatre-makers; you could be interested in performing, directing or playwrighting – everyone is welcome.

As part of the day, you will also receive a free ticket to see the production that same evening.

Date: Friday, 1 November 2024
Workshop: 1pm – 6pm
Performance: 7.30pm (Dorfman Theatre)
Location: All sessions will take place at the National Theatre, London (SE1 9PX).

Please note: you must be able to attend the full day to take part.

Applications for this event are now closed.

Led by members of the shows creative teams, you’ll take part in an engaging workshop at the National Theatre, followed by seeing the production you’re exploring.

Workshop content varies depending on the show, but workshops may focus on movement or playwrighting, rehearsal room practice or performing, directing and much more.

These opportunities are free to take part in – no prior experience is necessary, just a sense of curiosity and creativity!

The National Theatre’s Young People programme is committed to diversity and access.

Therefore, we concentrate our recruitment on young people from groups in three areas that we recognise have been most affected by the events of the last few years, including:

• young people from the global majority;
• young people from working class backgrounds;
• and d/Deaf, neurodivergent and disabled young people.

The In Focus opportunities above take place at the National Theatre on the South Bank in London, and therefore we aim to offer and prioritise places to those based in London, or who can travel to London easily and safely within the workshop day. This project is free to take part in and access support and travel bursaries are available to those in the Greater London area.

For those based around the UK and farther afield, we frequently offer online workshops and programmes nationally which may be accessible to you – to keep up to date about these opportunities, you can sign up to our mailing list here.

Kirsten Adam
Head of Young People’s Programmes

Izzy Cotterill
Young People’s Project Manager

You can contact the Young People team on youth@nationaltheatre.org.uk