Placements and Careers
Overview
Think you know what a career in dance looks like? Think again with our I Work in Dance campaign.
In 2025, photographer Craig Sugden captured the sheer scale of what happens before the curtain rises. These images go behind the scenes at the Alhambra Theatre in Bradford, showing the New Adventures team and the venue crew as they transform an empty space into the world of Matthew Bourne’s Swan Lake.
At New Adventures we are passionate and dedicated to opening up the talent pipeline into the world of live theatre and dance. This campaign showcases the diversity of roles available behind the scenes and encourages young people to consider the skills they have that could be transferrable to a career in dance.
Want to find out how you can get involved in backstage careers in Bradford? Scroll down to find more opportunities.
Careers Opportunities in 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.
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.
Since the programme was launched in April 2024, we have hosted over 60 Placements in our touring departments.
- Lighting
- Sound
- Stage Management
- Wardrobe
- Stage Crew
- Automation
- Wigs, Hair and Makeup (WHAM)
Our amazing technical touring teams on Swan Lake, The Midnight Bell and The Red Shoes 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.
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.
- A 2-year placement in collaboration with our Theatre Arts Partner.
- 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
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
