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National Theatre Young Technicians

National Theatre Young Technicians

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This FREE course for 14-18 year olds will be delivered in person at the National Theatre. 

Are you interested in lighting, sound, video and automation? Are you aged between 14–18? Then our technical theatre workshops could be for you! National Theatre Young Technicians offers an exciting opportunity to develop your skills and learn all about a variety of backstage and off-stage roles from top industry professionals. 

The course will run in person at National Theatre on Tuesday evenings from 5-8pm. You must be available for all the course dates and times listed to take part. In these workshops you’ll be introduced to the basics of technical theatre including lighting, sound and video, through demonstrations and practical activities. 

This year we have fewer places available on the Young People’s Programme, and so we are furthering our commitment to diversity and access by concentrating recruitment in three areas that we recognise are currently underrepresented in the field of technical theatre: Black, Asian and ethnically diverse young people, young women and young people from working class backgrounds.

Young Technicians is the National Theatre’s flagship technical training programme for young people aged 14-18.  Launched in 2017, the programme offers in-depth training for free to young people from groups currently underrepresented in the technical theatre industries including young people from the global majority, young women, young people from working class backgrounds, and disabled young people.

Exploring lighting, sound, video and stage skills, participants work with National Theatre production teams to develop their practical skills and learn all about the wide variety of backstage and off-stage roles which exist within theatre.  

Once a participant has completed the programme, they are invited to join the Young Technician Alumni Network. Through this network we offer additional specialist workshops, show visits and opportunities to support participants to move into further training or careers . 

The full course runs in person once a year at National Theatre. In 2021 we developed an online version of the programme which was open to young people from across the UK.

Autumn 2022 course dates: 


Tues 6 Sept 5-8pm
Tues 13 Sept 5-8pm
Tues 20 Sept 5-8pm
Tues 27 Sept 5-8pm
Tues 4 Oct 5-8pm
Tues 11 Oct 5-8pm
Tues 18 Oct 5-8pm
(no session Tues 25 Oct - half term)
Tues 1 Nov 5-8pm
Tues 8 Nov 5-8pm
Tues 15 Nov 5-8pm
Tues 22 Nov 5-8pm
Tues 29 Nov 5-8pm
Tues 6 Dec 5-8pm
Tues 13 Dec 5-8pm

As part of this course you will also watch a National Theatre production. 

To apply please complete the application form by Sunday 10 July. This is your chance to tell us about your interest in any element of technical theatre. You can write, record or video your answers (within the word and time limits). If you have any questions, please email [email protected]. 


Participant Testimonials


'Not only do you meet professionals and mentors that will teach you everything you need and want to know, you meet friends and become a big technical family.'

'Young Techs is the direct reason behind the founding of my current theatre company, as well as my choice to go to the university which I’m currently attending...When it comes down to it, this course is at the heart of why I am now working in theatre.'
 
'Without the course I would have never found my love for lighting and would have struggled without the industry knowledge. I was advised on good designers to reach out to and offered a shadowing week with Paule Constable on 'The Visit' - it was an absolute dream sitting in the Olivier and imagining that this might be the future.'
 
'I feel I have gained so much more hands-on experience than I could have ever imagined. What was most inspiring was the passion [from the production teams] for their work that showed as they taught us.'