Theatre Pathways: 19 October 2026
Here are the Theatre Pathways opportunities for this week…
Lyric Hammersmith have announced SPRINGBOARD 2027, a year-long, free, part-time actor training programme for 18-25 year olds based in West London.
The Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond have announced a new course Acting Lab: Devised Theatre, a practical five week introduction to devising and theatre making from 28 October 2026.
ATG will be running a Women in Tech Course - a three-day taster offering practical Back of House skills at Richmond Theatre Friday 13 Nov - Sunday 15 Nov 2026.
Support Playwrights and the team at Soho Walthamstow are offering new dates for co-working at Soho Theatre Walthamstow for playwrights and screenwriters who live or write in East London.
Nick Hern Books and An Tobar and Mull Theatre are inviting applications for a three-week writing residency in April 2027 on the Isle of Mull for two professional playwrights – one who is Scottish or currently resident in Scotland, and one from anywhere in the UK.
Applications are now open for the Squint Playwriting Award discovers, develops and champions exceptional playwrights of the future.
YesYesNoNo have opened application for their YOUNG DRAMATURGS programme - a year-long theatre programme for young people aged 16-21 to gain expertise in real-life creative dramaturgy.
Live Theatre Newcastle have announced applications are now open for the next free Playwriting Course running from November 2026 to May 2027.
Lyric Hammersmith have announced that applications are now open for SPRINGBOARD 2027, a year-long, free, part-time actor training programme for 18-25 year olds based in West London.
SPRINGBOARD is for performers who are ready to take their next steps into the theatre industry and the team are now looking for the next cohort of 10 talented and ambitious performers aged 18 to 25 who live in *West London, have little to no formal drama training, and are currently underrepresented in theatre.
The 2027 offer includes:
• Monthly bursaries during term time
• An industry Studio showcase & Studio show
• Weekly actor training + artist development mentoring
• Free headshots & showreels
• Industry support: unions, tax, casting masterclasses, networking & career support
• Rehearsal observation with Lyric productions/directors
• Free & discounted theatre tickets across London
Deadline: Monday 30 November at midday
The Orange Tree Theatre in Richmond have announced a new Acting Lab: Devised Theatre, a practical introduction course to devising and theatre making to run over five weeks on Wednesday evenings from 28 October 2026.
At Acting Lab: Devised Theatre, you can develop performance skills and understanding of theatre-making through improvisation and devising exercises. Through this five week course you will:
Develop your performance and making skills by creating work in a variety of styles
Respond creatively to stimuli to develop new work
Learn how to let go of your inhibitions and make work quickly
Explore exercises and techniques for voice, movement and imagination
Learn how to create character and develop scenes
Acting Lab: Devised Theatre is open to anyone aged 18+. No previous experience is necessary- just a sense of curiosity.
Cost: £135 with some limited bursary places available.
ATG will be running a Women in Tech Course - a three-day taster, designed for cis and trans women and non-binary individuals aged 18yrs+, at Richmond Theatre Friday 13 Nov - Sunday 15 Nov 2026.
This course offers practical Back of House skills that can lead to entry-level roles as apprentices or casual technicians in theatre. Over the three days, you will gain hands-on experience and training in stage, hemp flying, knots, lighting and sound set up and operation. The course will also explore pathways into working in the industry.
Cost: £180
Photo credit: David Levene
Support Playwrights and the team at Soho Walthamstow are offering new dates for co-working at Soho Theatre Walthamstow to support playwrights and screenwriters who live or write in East London.
The Crosshall bar will be open exclusively for playwrights and screenwriters to work quietly. The foyer area is already open for the general public but the spacious, super comfy, frankly luxurious Crosshall will be for WRITERS ONLY – to be together and work. Completely free on Monday to Wednesday - 10am - 5pm
CURRENTLY RUNNING TILL 11th NOVEMBER 2026.
Photo credit: Beth Chalmers
Nick Hern Books and An Tobar and Mull Theatre are inviting applications for a three-week writing residency in April 2027 on the Isle of Mull for two professional playwrights – one who is Scottish or currently resident in Scotland, and one from anywhere in the UK.
The Playground Residency offers something simple and increasingly rare: time and space. With accommodation provided, a weekly stipend, travel expenses and dramaturgical support, the residency is designed to enable research, experimentation, thinking, reading and writing – without the pressure of delivering a finished script – all in one of the most extraordinary landscapes in the UK.
If you’re a professional playwright based in the UK, have an idea for a new play that you would like the freedom to explore, and feel you would benefit from three uninterrupted weeks on Mull.
Deadline: 12 noon GMT on Monday 2 November 2026
Applications are now open for the Squint Playwriting Award discovers, develops and champions exceptional playwrights of the future.
Returning for its second year, the Award supports early-career, London-based writers from low-income backgrounds through a paid six-month playwriting programme.
The team provide the creative and financial support writers need to develop a one-act (70-minute) play, build their craft and progress professionally with the aim of discovering, developing and championing exceptional playwrights of the future..
Eight exceptional writers will develop a one-act (70-minute) play across six months with the support of leading industry professionals, culminating in an industry showcase at Theatre Royal Stratford East. Participants are paid a seed commission for writing time, London Living Wage for contact hours and travel expenses. Bursaries for access costs are also available.
Deadline 2 November 2026
YesYesNoNo have opened application for their YOUNG DRAMATURGS programme - a year-long theatre programme for young people aged 16-21 looking to improve their creative skills and gain expertise in real-life creative dramaturgy.
The team are looking for 16-21 year olds to join across Nov/Dec to learn about making theatre and help make a brand new show about art...
Young Dramaturgs gain experience of a professional creative environment, participate in creative workshops for playmaking, performance-making and creative writing. The Young Dramaturgs are invited to participate in the creation of YESYESNONO shows over the year. Through creative discussions on the themes, workshops on the content and special invitations to early sharings of the work, the Young Dramaturgs become a key part of how the team develop new work and develop their dramaturgical skills in the process.
If you’re interested and want to apply, email rhian@yesyesnono.org to express your interest and get an application form.
Live Theatre Newcastle have announced applications are now open for the next free Playwriting Course running from November 2026 to May 2027.
You can explore new approaches to storytelling, learn from some of the most exciting voices in theatre and develop a brand-new play of your own. Designed for playwrights who have already had work staged or performed and are now looking to develop their practice further.
The team are looking to work with writers who are curious, open to experimentation and excited to push their work in new directions.
Deadline: Tuesday 27 October 2026