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Young Technicians

Are you interested in lighting, sound, video and automation? Are you aged between 13–19? Then our technical theatre programme could be for you!

The National Theatre’s Young Technicians programme launched at our South Bank venue in 2017 and expanded into a hybrid nationwide programme in 2023. We are delighted to be running the nationwide Young Technicians programme again in 2024 with partners HOME in Manchester and Nottingham Playhouse. We are also thrilled to welcome a new partner to the programme, Theatre Royal Plymouth.

Applications for the 2024 nationwide and digital programme are now closed. 

Got a question about Young Techs? Get in touch.

Email our Young People team

Apply for the Nationwide Young Technicians

The Nationwide Young Technicians programme runs once a year as an online and in-person programme, delivered with partner venues across the UK. It is open to those aged 13-19 years old. Once you have completed the course you will have the opportunity to join the Young Technicians alumni group, which is designed to offer further opportunities.

The Nationwide Young Technicians digital course forms part of our Connections and Young Technicians collaboration, and is in partnership with HOME Manchester, Nottingham Playhouse and Theatre Royal Plymouth.

You can take part in the digital course only, or you can take part both online and in person with one of our partner venues. The application 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).

Applications are now closed. 

 

A young person wearing an orange hard hat is shown how to position a theatre light by a technician

Recruitment

We are furthering our commitment to diversity and access by concentrating recruitment in these areas that we recognise are currently underrepresented in the field of technical theatre:

  • Young people who identify as Female, Trans and/or Non-Binary;
  • Young people from the Global majority;
  • Young people from working class backgrounds; and
  • Young people who identify as D/deaf or disabled.

What participants say:

Anna, 17

I feel incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have completed the [Young Technicians] course, for the resources provided to us.

I also feel super grateful that this opportunity has helped me get involved with HOME theatre. As following on from the two sessions there, we were given the opportunity to shadow a production, which was great experience.

Zara, 16

It has been pretty difficult to find work experience available for people under the age of 18. I think [Young Technicians] has been a great way to sort of kickstart going into the industry and gave me more confidence to ask, to be able to then get more work experience.

Having a course where you’re taught things by professionals and having specific people coming in, it was definitely key in moving forward in this sort of career path.  

Camila, 15

[Young Technicians] really helped me understand what actually goes on. It was long enough for me to actually remember it.

It also helped me with improving making friends. You can talk to people, then you know them, and your communication skills just improve.

Our funders

Contact us

Kirsten Adam
Head of Young People’s Programmes

Carmel Macaree
Project Manager, Young Technicians

Finley Neilens
Young People’s Programme Assistant

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

Photos © Belinda Lawley
National Theatre Young Technicians, 2023

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