Applications are now open for the National Theatre’s Young Technicians programme 2023.

Are you interested in applying to be a Young Technician but don’t quite know what to expect? Not to worry! Read on to hear from two previous Young Technicians who took part in the programme here at the South Bank.

They answer questions on how they found the experience, what they they got out of it and how it’s affected their future career choices.

Why did you apply for the National Theatre Young Technicians programme?
I applied because the Head of Drama at my school sent me a link saying I might be interested in it. I thought: ‘Oh, that looks interesting. Yeah, sure, I’ll apply!’ 

Have you gained confidence as a result of taking part in Young Technicians?
It was good to meet new people and talk with them. Overall, I think I have gained confidence because I know how everything works a lot better now.

Do you feel that your technical and/or production skills have improved?
I think that my technical skills have improved a lot. Now I can work a sound desk, put a sound system together, I can programme. I know why all this works the way it does. 

Did you get what you wanted out of the programme? 
When I started, I just wanted to learn more about technical theatre. I wanted to improve my skills. I definitely know more now than I did at the beginning. When we saw the Hex revolve – I wasn’t expecting to get to see things like that, that was very cool! 

Do you think you would like to pursue, or could see yourself pursuing, a career in theatre? 
For the most part, I’ve always been interested in technical theatre on the side. I think gallery design – using the knowledge of lighting and sound that I’ve got from the course – would be good. But I could definitely see myself pursuing theatre as a career. Now that I’ve got more knowledge, I’m much more like: yes, I would absolutely love this!

Young Techs was really fun. I had an absolutely brilliant time. It was lovely getting to know everyone, meeting all the different National Theatre workers. 

Why did you apply for the National Theatre Young Technicians programme?
I applied as I thought it would be a valuable and interesting programme, and by participating I would be able to learn more about the industry that I would like to work in in the future. 

Have you gained confidence as a result of taking part in Young Technicians?
I think working with others and the training that [the National Theatre] gave me has enabled me to be more confident and independent when working backstage in my local theatre; Wyllyotts Theatre. 

Do you feel that your technical and/or production skills have improved?
I think my technical and production skills have improved a lot as a result of Young Technicians. Whilst doing the programme, I helped with the technical aspects of my school show; to design, programme and operate the lights. The programme helped as we learned how to use a lighting desk, operate lights, and what goes into designing lighting.   

Did you get what you wanted out of the programme? 
Yes, I did. At the start, I knew I’d learn a lot from this experience, but didn’t realise how much I would learn about technical theatre.  

Do you think you would like to pursue, or could see yourself pursuing, a career in theatre? I’d like to pursue a career and technical theatre. Once I’ve finished my A -Levels, I would like to do an apprenticeship in technical theatre. I believe the experience that I’ve gained from this programme will help me when applying for the apprenticeship in the future. 

Applications are now open for the Young Technicians programme. Complete the application form here. The closing deadline is Mon 19 June at 10am. 

The National Theatre’s Young People programme is committed to diversity and access. Therefore, we concentrate our recruitment on young people from groups underrepresented in the technical theatre industries including:

• young people from the global majority;
• young women;
• young people from working class backgrounds;
• and d/Deaf, neurodivergent and disabled young people.

If you have any questions, please email youth@nationaltheatre.org.uk. We’d love to hear from you.

Photograph © Belinda Lawley