By: Beth Siddall – Children, Young People & Families Officer
March 2024
“People should know how interesting this course is, it’s amazing and an awesome experience”
“Now I want a job in technical theatre!”
“An amazing introduction to technical theatre”
“An awesome, immersive and interesting experience and opportunity to learn about theatre backstage”
“This course has really inspired me and has encourage me to further pursue this career when I am older and that wouldn’t be without all of you. The ability to go back to my school and apply this knowledge, seeing how it is professionally done, is something extremely valuable and a life skill I will keep.”
Young Technicians, 2024 Cohort
Theatre Royal Plymouth partnered with the National Theatre on the Nationwide Young Technicians programme this year. The project was a huge success and our brilliant cohort of Young Technicians came to us full of enthusiasm and interest in technical theatre.
The group took part in weekly online sessions led by the National Theatre and in-person sessions at TRP. The in-person sessions, led by TRP’s technical team of industry experts were an experience the young people will not forget and are keen to continue, with many of the group now seeking a career in technical theatre.
Our lighting, sound and stages team lead workshops across our three stages. The Young Technicians rigged the lighting for Stewart Lee’s performance, they each flew in a bar and rigged the boarders for The Life of Pi. The group focused the lights in The Lab and they each created a lighting state in The Drum. With our Sound team, they learnt how programme sounds effects & videos on Q-lab – plus much more!
This project has nurtured next generation of talented technicians, we can’t wait to see what they do next.
The Nationwide Young Technicians programme offers 13-19-year-olds the chance to develop practical skills and learn about the variety of backstage and off-stage roles that exist within theatre over 11 weeks of online sessions and followed by in person sessions held across the country at our partner venues.
Run by the National Theatre, this year’s Young Technicians Programme is also being delivered in Nottingham and Manchester in partnership with Nottingham Playhouse, and HOME Manchester.