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.
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.
Digital only
Online workshop dates - these sessions will take place on Zoom
Tues 9 Jan 5-7pm
Tues 16 Jan 5-7pm
Tues 23 Jan 5-7pm
Tues 30 Jan 5-7pm
Tues 6 Feb 5-7pm
No session Tues 13 Feb – half term
Tues 20 Feb 5-7pm
Tues 27 Feb 5-7pm
Tues 5 Mar 5-7pm
Tues 12 Mar 5-7pm
Tues 19 Mar 5-7pm
Tues 26 Mar 5-7pm
Online and with HOME, Manchester
Online workshop dates - these sessions will take place on Zoom
Tues 9 Jan 5-7pm
Tues 16 Jan 5-7pm
Tues 23 Jan 5-7pm
Tues 30 Jan 5-7pm
Tues 6 Feb 5-7pm
No session Tues 13 Feb – half term
Tues 20 Feb 5-7pm
Tues 27 Feb 5-7pm
Tues 5 Mar 5-7pm
Tues 12 Mar 5-7pm
Tues 19 Mar 5-7pm
Tues 26 Mar 5-7pm
Partner venue dates – these will take place in person at HOME, Manchester
Sunday 21 April
Sunday 28 April
Online and with Nottingham Playhouse
Online workshop dates - these sessions will take place on Zoom
Tues 9 Jan 5-7pm
Tues 16 Jan 5-7pm
Tues 23 Jan 5-7pm
Tues 30 Jan 5-7pm
Tues 6 Feb 5-7pm
No session Tues 13 Feb – half term
Tues 20 Feb 5-7pm
Tues 27 Feb 5-7pm
Tues 5 Mar 5-7pm
Tues 12 Mar 5-7pm
Tues 19 Mar 5-7pm
Tues 26 Mar 5-7pm
Partner venue dates – these will take place in person at Nottingham Playhouse
Sunday 31 March
Monday 1 April
Online and with Theatre Royal Plymouth
Online workshop dates - these sessions will take place on Zoom
Tues 9 Jan 5-7pm
Tues 16 Jan 5-7pm
Tues 23 Jan 5-7pm
Tues 30 Jan 5-7pm
Tues 6 Feb 5-7pm
No session Tues 13 Feb – half term
Tues 20 Feb 5-7pm
Tues 27 Feb 5-7pm
Tues 5 Mar 5-7pm
Tues 12 Mar 5-7pm
Tues 19 Mar 5-7pm
Tues 26 Mar 5-7pm
Partner venue dates – these will take place in person at Theatre Royal Plymouth
Saturday 24 February, 10am-1pm
Sunday 3 March, 10am-5pm
Monday 4 March, 4-6pm
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
Young People’s Programmes are supported by Bank of America, The Maurice Hatter Foundation and the Richard Radcliffe Trust. With thanks to the MAP Fund.
Creative Careers enabled by TikTok.
The Mohn Westlake Foundation supports nationwide Learning programmes for young people.
Nationwide learning is supported by Buffini Chao Foundation, Clore Duffield Foundation, Tim & Sarah Bunting, MFPA Trust Fund for the Training of Disabled Children in the Arts, Behrens Foundation, Cleopatra Trust, and The Andor Charitable Trust.
Find out more about supporting our work
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
More to explore
An Introduction to Stage Management
Our Introduction to Stage Management course introduces you to the basics of being a stage manager, and takes place at the National Theatre every year.
Apprenticeships
Start your career at the National Theatre with our backstage apprenticeships programme.
Connections
You can gain hands-on technical experience if your school or youth group takes part in Connections, our annual national youth drama festival.