Lyric Hammersmith Theatre launches free actor training programme

Applications open today for Springboard, the two-year training programme from The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre which is set to commence in January 2022. 

Designed for ages 18-25, the course is for those who have had little, if any, formal drama training and come from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds and underrepresented groups in theatre. 

Young Lyric, the youth branch of the theatre, is known for its leading educational initiatives for marginalised young people, including its Start and Rewind schemes. The new Springboard programme has been launched by the theatre in response to the challenges facing young performers.

Rachel O’Riordan, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre artistic director, said: ‘Springboard is a bold new initiative at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. It is for those people who might slip through the net; whose talent might go unseen, undeveloped, uncelebrated. 

'The 10 young people per year who we select will have an experience like no other; they will be able to learn in a working theatre; to feel comfortable in this space; to train as an actor in an environment which acknowledges that to be an actor, takes enormous strength and resilience. They will be challenged, supported and included in the life of this great theatre.’

Rob Lehmann, director of Young Lyric, said: ‘We are delighted to announce Springboard, our new and unique free training programme that nurtures the next generation of performers through unrivalled theatre-based training in their journey from participant to professional.

‘Springboard has been created with young people at its core, whose experiences have helped in the curation and design of this programme, addressing the needs of the industry today. We are throwing open our artistic doors to young talent, providing our Springboard trainees with full access and development opportunities both on and off stage, in order to represent and sustain theatre’s future.’

Springboard is supported by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and The Emmanuel Kaye Foundation.

To find out more, or to apply, visit www.lyric.co.uk/young-lyric/springboard