Are you aged 13-25 and want to take part in workshops, meet new people and see world-class theatre?

Whether you have a keen interest in theatre, or you’ve never been to the National Theatre before, our In Focus workshops offer a welcoming environment for an in-depth look at our shows.  

Our In Focus workshops take place at the National Theatre on London’s South Bank and are led by members of the creative team on our productions. 

Workshop content may vary depending on the production but some may focus on movement, playwrighting, rehearsal room practice, performing, directing and much more. Each workshop is followed by the opportunity to see the production that’s under the spotlight. 

In Focus is a free programme. No prior experience is necessary, just a sense of curiosity and creativity! 

Using our production of London Tide with original songs by singer-songwriter PJ Harvey and Ben Power as a starting point, this session will focus on the different ways music can be used in theatre. We will look at how music supports storytelling in a production, how composers and songwriters work with playwrights and directors, and explore the difference between a ‘play with songs’ and a fully-fledged musical.

Participants will take part in a masterclass on London Tide, get to speak to the music team at the National Theatre, and find out more about the many different music related roles within a production.

This workshop is open to theatre-makers with an interest in music, and music-makers with an interest in theatre. Whether you’re a songwriter, composer, or producer – we hope this session will give you an insight into the many possibilities that music holds within theatre.

Date: Friday 31 May, 2024
Workshop: 1pm – 6pm
Performance: London Tide, 7pm in the Lyttelton Theatre
Location: All sessions will take place at the National Theatre, London

Please note: you must be able to attend the full day to take part. As part of the day you will receive a free ticket to watch the evening performance of London Tide.

Sign up for this workshop here

Applications close at 10am on Monday, 29 April.

The National Theatre’s Young People programme is committed to diversity and access.

Therefore, we concentrate our recruitment on young people from groups in three areas that we recognise have been most affected by the events of the last few years, including:

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

The Lifting the Lid opportunity above takes place at the National Theatre on the South Bank in London, and therefore we aim to offer and prioritise places to those based in London, or who can travel to London easily and safely within the workshop day. This project is free to take part in and access support and travel bursaries are available to those in the Greater London area.

For those based around the UK and farther afield, we frequently offer online workshops and programmes nationally which may be accessible to you – to keep up to date about these opportunities, you can sign up to our mailing list here.

Kirsten Adam
Head of Young People’s Programmes

Izzy Cotterill
Young People’s Programme Coordinator

Finley Neilens
Young People’s Programme Assistant

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