Skip to main content

Learn & explore

A young person pointing to the stage whilst another person smils and looks upwards, they are sitting in the Lyttelton Theatre which is full of other young people

The National Theatre is for everyone. Discover our range of programmes, events and resources. Get involved at the South Bank in London, across the UK and online.

Whether you’re a teacher or a student, if you’re looking for a career in theatre or a way to express yourself – there is something for everyone.

For most of our children, this was and will probably be a once in a lifetime experience. It broadens their life experience and hopefully will support them to develop a love of the arts and being creative.

Teacher, Icknield Primary School (Luton)
on The Witches schools programme

What can we help with?

Primary pupils in a Hamlet workshop

Schools

Primary / Secondary / Further Education (FE) / Special Education Needs & Disabilities (SEND).

For schools
Two people holding scripts laughing and smiling front of house at the National Theatre

Young People

Opportunities for young people aged 13-25.

Young People landing page
Props apprentice working in large workshop

Skills Centre

Explore the widest range of workplace-delivered placement, training and apprenticeship opportunities of any organisation in the creative arts.

Skills Centre landing page
A trio of images featuring people playing with an animated square cube, a window and a chute

Theatreworks: training for business

The National Theatre’s communication skills training for professionals. Offering practical open courses for individuals or bespoke training for organisations.

Theatreworks

Our funders

The Mohn Westlake Foundation supports nationwide Learning programmes for young people.

The Hearn Foundation is the Principal Funder of the Primary Schools programme.

Nationwide learning is supported by Buffini Chao Foundation, Clore Duffield Foundation, Crevan O’Grady & Jane McClenahan, MFPA Trust Fund for the Training of Disabled Children in the Arts, The Kartik Foundation, Behrens Foundation, Marlow Trust, Cleopatra Trust, and The Andor Charitable Trust.

Find out more about supporting our work

 

More to explore

Two people sorting through material in the National Theatre Archive

Archive

Visit the National Theatre’s Archive holding a treasure trove of material.

Archive landing page
A classroom of pupils watching the NT Collection on a screen.

National Theatre Collection

World class theatre in your classroom – free for all UK state schools.

National Theatre Collection landing page
A group of people dressed in a variety of colourful costumes celebrating onstage with their hands in the air

Theatre Nation Partnerships

Find out how we’re working in partnership across the UK.

Theatre Nation Partnerships
A group of people onstage dressed in beige and brown tones with all their hands in the air, production photo of Public Acts' The Odyssey on the Olivier stage, 2023

Public Acts

Creating extraordinary acts of theatre and community.

Public Acts

News

A group of people in colorful, traditional African-inspired clothing gather around a central figure who is seated and donning elaborate beadwork. The scene is vibrant and expressive, suggesting a theatrical performance or cultural gathering.

Archive Unboxed: Celebrating Wole Soyinka’s 90th birthday

Nobel Prize-winning writer Wole Soyinka is celebrating his 90th birthday! For Black History Month, the National Theatre Archive looks at two of Soyinka’s plays, honouring his extraordinary career across novels, poetry, and drama.

Archive Unboxed: Celebrating Wole Soyinka’s 90th birthday
Performers on stage wear tattered, monochromatic costumes and eerie, white masks, their bodies contorted in expressive, dramatic poses. The lighting is dark, creating a haunting and theatrical atmosphere.

In Search of Greek Theatre: four new films released

The In Search of Greek Theatre series explores stories and objects from the National Theatre’s Archive to learn more about Greek Theatre in performance. Find out more about the four new films that have now been released.

In Search of Greek Theatre: four new films released
A woman with long brown hair, wearing a crocheted beige sweater, is smiling broadly while holding up an empty white piece of paper, folded like an envelope. She is standing indoors, with grey and beige furniture in the background, resembling a rehearsal room.

Creativity for a different perspective

Read about how creative approaches and rehearsal room techniques enhance our participants’ experiences on our Theatreworks courses.

Creativity for a different perspective