Careers in Theatre Week 2023

Careers in Theatre Week is for young people aged 14-19 to get an insight into theatre industry careers. Our annual work experience event includes workshops with Royal Exchange Theatre staff, artists and practitioners, discovering the different elements that make a producing theatre come to life.

We receive such a high volume of incredible people asking for work experience opportunities, unfortunately we aren’t able accommodate everyone individually across the year. This is why we created a week long work experience programme.

“I have just loved everything from this week and learning about all the behind the scenes aspects that go into a show and see everything that goes into it, gives me a whole new found respect for it, I have really enjoyed it.”

As a Careers in Theatre week member you will receive a tour of the building and an opportunity to meet staff from various departments; production, engagement, marketing, visitor experience, operations, fundraising, directing. Throughout the week, you will find out more about other opportunities that the Royal Exchange Theatre has to offer, work with the Front of House team during a show and see a main house production. Through talks, demonstrations, and interactive workshops you’ll learn more about each department, you will then have the opportunity  to pitch your own ideas to create the dream theatre – you’ll be asked to think about everything from how you will fundraise to how to make your theatre accessible to everyone. If you’re thinking about a career in theatre this a great foundation for you.

The week is free to take part in, support for travel is available and lunch will be provided.

“The workshops were the perfect combination of work experience, knowledge and fun.”

Just to give you a taster of our most recent Careers In Theatre Week. In February our building was bustling with just under 50 young people from all around Greater Manchester who joined us to find out about different careers in theatre. We had a jam-packed week full of incredible workshops from facilitators such as BEGINNING designer TK Hay, playwright Patrick Hughes, Producer Justina Aina, and Casting Director Olivia Barr. Also the students had fun with our staff learning and having a go at costume, prosthetic makeup, lighting and much more!

“My biggest challenge has been my confidence, being who I am as a person, there has not been many opportunities or safe spaces for me, but the way The Royal Exchange has been so open and accepting of me was hard to adjust to at first but really really good and I found the confidence in myself again.”