Placements and Careers
Overview
THIS IS WHERE THE ADVENTURE BEGINS
Ever wondered what it takes to bring a dance production to life? During our tour of The Red Shoes, we went behind the scenes to create I Work In Dance, a film that celebrates the brilliant people, skills and stories that make live performance possible. Featuring and narrated by former Assistant Stage Management placement participant, Saul Johnstone, this film shines a light on the backstage world and the many routes into a creative career.
At the end of the night, when you're taking it all in, you realise you've found your people.
Saul Johnstone, former placement participant and current New Adventures crew member
About our Placement Programme
The aim of the New Adventures Placement Programme is to host a number of technical placements across our major touring productions and in our charity teams in the following departments:
- Lighting
- Sound
- Stage Management
- Wardrobe
- Stage Crew
- Automation
- Wigs, Hair and Makeup (WHAM)
- Production Management
- Assistant Producer
Our amazing technical touring teams on Swan Lake, The Midnight Bell, The Red Shoes and The Car Man have welcomed placements into their world. They have made it possible for new and emerging talent to see a snapshot of what it is like to have a career in technical and backstage roles in live touring theatre. We work closely with our partner venues and collaborative educational facilitators to create memorable and life changing experiences that will give you the tools to follow your dreams and develop a career in theatre.
Since the programme was launched in April 2024, we have:
Hosted over 75 placements, with 35 further placements planned until March 2027.
Facilitated 144 placement days since April 2025.
Seen 8 previous placements go on to do further work with New Adventures.
Hosted our first Assistant Production Management placement, Erin Thompson, who is now working full time as an Assistant Production Manager for New Adventures.
Collaborated for the first time with Bradford College, Newcastle College and Gateshead College.
In the future, we are facilitating:
Observational placements in collaboration with Rocket Scenery.
A week long dancer placement in the Cinderella rehearsal room in collaboration with Grad Pro
A 4 week wardrobe placement and 1 week lighting placement at Sadler's Wells.
Placements with apprentices from the Marlowe Theatre apprenticeship programme.
Rehearsal Assistant and Performance Assistant placements on the Cygnet School programme.
Our first Assistant Producer placement on Doorstep Duets.
Get involved
Do you have electrical or audio skills? Do you have engineering skills, or have you worked with costumes, wigs, hair or make up? These are all transferable skills that could mean the New Adventures Placement Programme is for you.
Our placements are carried out in a safe and nurturing environment where you can grow, learn and begin your journey into the performing arts industry.
We offer:
- 1 x day technical experiences.
- 1-week Technical Placements in a chosen department.
- 2-week Technical Placements in a chosen department.
- 4/5-week Stage Management Rehearsal Room Placements.
- Project based placements that can last up to 3 months.
We also host placements within the wider New Adventures company, offering opportunities within the following departments:
- Finance and Operations
- Communications and Marketing
- Inclusion and Access
- Take Part
- Swan School
- Cygnet School
If you have any questions or would like to make an enquiry about a placement within the New Adventures team, please send a letter of interest and an updated CV to Angela McEvilly, Placements Programme Manager at angela@new-adventures.net
Regional Opportunities
Bradford
Performing Arts courses at Bradford College
These courses are kept practical, innovative and industry-focused to prepare students for creative industries. Bradford College's industry links are second to none, with experienced staff and experts from the local arts scene.
Media Makeup and Special Effects courses at Bradford College
A course with a focus on design, wig and prosthetics application, makeup for theatre performance and much more, providing students with the fundamental skills needed for progression into a career in the arts.
The Producing Academy
The Producing Academy is where Bradford’s talent meets the world stage. This is where creators are made and dreams get loud, with courses in Creative Media, Fashion, Media Make-up, Photography and Digital Storytelling. A creative powerhouse built to spark ideas, shape futures and launch local talent into global industries.
Newcastle
Performing and Production Arts courses at Newcastle College
These courses offer exciting opportunities for aspiring performers, directors and technicians in every area of the arts and entertainment industry, with access to professional recording and rehearsal space.
Higher Education Media Make-Up courses at Newcastle College
Opportunities to develop a unique skill set in cosmetic, theatrical and semi-permanent make-up in a working salon.
Performing Arts Courses at Gateshead College
Opportunities to develop relevant and transferable skills for performers, technicians, sound engineers, stage managers, voice coaches, talent agents, producers and set designers.
Canterbury
Performing Arts courses at Marlowe Academy of Performing Arts
In collaboration with The Marlowe Theatre, students are empowered to hone their talents in a first-class professional setting, with input and valuable expertise from industry professionals.
Performing and Production Arts course at Canterbury College
This performing arts course is designed for a theatre enthusiast that enjoys both being on the stage and behind the scenes with various opportunities to perform, stage manage and learn the technical side of theatre.
Theatrical Special Effects and Media Makeup course at Canterbury College
This course allows students to explore specialist techniques such as prosthetics, airbrushing, fashion and photographic makeup, and face and body art.
Norwich
Theatre Work Experience Week at Norwich Theatre
Each year, up to 10 Year 10 students take part in a week-long, hands-on experience inside a working theatre. Participants will gain insight into how a theatre operates and discover the wide range of careers available.
Volunteer opportunities at Norwich Arts Centre
Norwich Arts Centre are seeking volunteers aged 18-26 to get involved in the arts scene, gain experience, and enjoy free access to live performances.
Performing and Production Arts courses at City College Norwich
Courses offer training in dance, acting, musical theatre, sound engineering and stage management with opportunities to work with local and national organisations within the creative industries.
Plymouth
Company 15 at Theatre Royal Plymouth
Company15 is a week-long work experience programme for young people aged 14-17. Designed to inspire a career within the arts, students will gain an insight into the workings of the largest and most well-attended regional producing theatre in the UK.
Get Started with Theatre
Opportunity for people aged 16-30 not in full time eduction or employment. The course is an opportunity to learn from industry experts, get invaluable experience and a taste of what it is like to work in Theatre from The Kings Trust and Theatre Royal Plymouth.
Opportunities at Barbican Theatre, Plymouth
Opportunities such as mentoring and creative residencies offer clear, sustainable, and people-focused routes for creatives to grow, experiment, and bring bold new work to life.
Southampton
Mayflower MAST Studios
The Mayflower Theatre's MAST studios provide on-stage and off-stage training opportunities for young people to develop creative skills. Opportunities include writing workshops, production arts courses and masterclasses.
South Hampshire College Group Production Arts courses
Courses in production art and theatre use the Hub Theatre for students to train, operate equipment, manage live shows and become an overall venue technician through work experience.
Work Experience at The Point Theatre
The Point offers industry-led work experience weeks focusing on venue operations, technical departments and marketing to support Year 10 and Higher Education students in exploring creative careers.
Testimonials
THIS EXPERIENCE REAFFIRMED MY PASSION FOR THEATRE AND LIVE PERFORMANCE, AND I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT TO ANYONE SEEKING A DEEPER UNDERSTANDING OF THE INDUSTRY.
LX/Sound Placement – Swan Lake
A WELCOMING ENVIRONMENT WHERE MY VOICE MATTERED, AND MY LEARNING WAS PUT FIRST
Stage Management Placement – The Red Shoes
IT WAS A FUN EXPERIENCE LEARNING THE PRODUCTION SIDE OF THEATRE, LEARNING SOFTWARE AND HOW TO OPERATE DIFFERENT PIECES OF AUTOMATION AND FLYS. HOW ALL THE DIFFERENT AREAS WORK AND PEOPLE COMING TOGETHER TO CREATE THEATRE.
Stage & Automation Placement – The Red Shoes
To feel like part of the team and have that trust from the start felt incredible and has definitely pushed me to peruse my dream in lighting within theatre.
Lighting Placement - The Red Shoes
Partners and Supporters
Theatre Artists Fund Creative Workforce Pilot Programme
This is a specially funded position as part of the Theatre Artists Fund Pilot Programme, recognising the importance of the creative and technical theatre workforce and the way organisations are forming their recovery, following the impact of COVID-19 on UK theatres
