Technical theatre apprenticeships to launch across 13 UK venues
Tuesday, June 20, 2023
The Mackintosh Foundation is partnering with venues across the country to offer young people a stepping stone into the technical theatre industry, allocating apprentices to placements from autumn 2023.
Aiming to address an industry-wide shortage of theatre technicians, the Mackintosh Foundation is partnering with 13 venues across the UK to launch the Regional Theatre Technical Apprenticeship Programme.
The Foundation is funding the programme, aiming to offer young people training, mentoring and act as a gateway into a career in theatre.
The scheme aims to reach candidates from marginalised groups with protected characteristics who are based locally to their theatres.
Successful applicants will be offered full-time employment inclusive of one day of training per week.
The apprenticeships vary between venues, with a focus on skills from lighting and costume making, to production management and wigs, hair and makeup.
Participating theatres include Birmingham Hippodrome, Bristol Old Vic Theatre, Chichester Festival Theatre, Curve Leicester, Edinburgh Lyceum Theatre, Leeds Playhouse, Lyric Theatre Belfast, Northern Stage, Nottingham Playhouse, Royal Shakespeare Company, Sheffield Theatres, Theatre Clwyd, and Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Head of the Foundation and British theatre producer, Cameron Mackintosh, claims he has worked in ‘nearly every department in the theatre’. Discussing the programme he says: ‘Learning how all the elements of a show are put together has been key to my long career as a producer.’
The apprenticeships begin in autumn 2023; those interested can apply through their relevant venue’s website.
