Amazing opportunity to train in theatre
THE Lyric Hammersmith Theatre is proud to announce a ground-breaking, free two-year training programme that aims to find, shape, inspire, champion and sustain the next generation of performers from underrepresented backgrounds.
Applications are now open for the first year of the Springboard programme, which starts in January. The full company will comprise 20 people, with 10 places available each year via an audition process.
In response to the current challenges facing aspiring young talent, Springboard is a major new performance pathway into employment designed specifically for ages 18-25 who have had zero to little formal drama training and who come from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds and groups underrepresented in theatre. It is a vital new addition to Young Lyric, which is known for pioneering educational initiatives for marginalised young people.
Rachel O’Riordan, Lyric Hammersmith Theatre Artistic Director, said: “Springboard is a bold new initiative at Lyric Hammersmith Theatre. It speaks to our profound commitment to equity of opportunity, and builds on our long and influential history of talent development.”
“The 10 young people per year who we select will have an experience like no other; they will be able to learn in a working theatre; to feel comfortable in this space; to train as an actor in an environment which acknowledges that to be an actor, takes enormous strength and resilience. They will be challenged, supported and included in the life of this great theatre.
Rob Lehmann, director of Young Lyric, said: “Springboard has been created with young people at its core, whose experiences have helped in the curation and design of this programme, addressing the needs of the industry today. We are throwing open our artistic doors to young talent, providing our trainees with full access and development opportunities both on and off stage, in order to represent and sustain theatre’s future.”
The development initiatives cover performances, workshops and masterclasses, artist development, pastoral support and opportunities both on and off stage, enabling trainees to gain a specialist understanding of all aspects of a producing theatre to boost individual, sustainable careers in the arts.
Springboard is kindly supported by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and The Emmanuel Kaye Foundation.
Following its launch at the Lyric, the programme and framework will be shared with UK arts organisations to adapt, actively making the performing arts sector more inclusive with a workforce which better represents society.
Trainees will receive hundreds of engagement opportunities over the two-year programme.
The Lyric is committed to championing young talent from West London and is encouraging applicants to apply who are from the Global Majority, not in education or training, who are non-binary, LGBTQIA+, who are d/Deaf or disabled. Applicants must be aged 18-25 from the programme start on January 10, have zero to little formal drama training, and live in one of the eligible West London boroughs - Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea, Richmond upon Thames, Wandsworth and Westminster.
The deadline for applications is December 2. All eligible applicants will receive an audition pack and will be invited for auditions on December 9.
See lyric.co.uk/young-lyric/springboard for more information.