Work Experience

This programme is open to young people in Year 10 - Year 13 (or equivalent if homeschooled). Applicants must live within a 30-mile radius of Buxton Opera House.

As part of the programme you will spend the first week working as an actor or technician as well as spending time talking to staff in a range of departments across the organisation finding out how the Opera House is run.

During the second week you will take the skills you have acquired out into the community and tour a small-scale performance to local venues such as schools and community centres, plus a performance at Buxton Fringe Festival.

You can choose acting OR technical theatre to specialise in. You cannot opt for both.

Acting placement: You will work with a professional director to produce a play that will be toured into schools and the community in week two. You do not need acting experience but there will be a workshop audition and interview with other applicants to determine who is most suitable. You need to be energetic, enthusiastic, able to take direction, and able to work in a team.

Technical, Stage Management, & Design Placement: You will work with the technical team and learn how to design, rig, and operate simple lighting and sound systems. You will also learn basic stage management and set design skills. Roles are also available as set/costume/prop designers. No experience is necessary, but you need to be a strong team player and have an interest in theatre. Technical applicants will be selected via an interview process.

This is a two-week placement in Buxton, Derbyshire. You need to be available for both weeks. Some tour venues in week 2 may be out of town while we will access via public transport. A full schedule will be given before the placement begins.

Mon 29 Jun - Fri 3 Jul, approximately 9.30am - 5.30pm

Mon 6 Jul - Fri 10 Jul, approximately 8am - 5pm*

*Please note during week 2 there will be two evening performances with approximate finish times of 7.30pm. These dates and times will be confirmed in the schedule nearer the time.

This is the only work experience we offer. If you cannot attend on these dates, then please do not apply. Students who have a school commitment in the first week (for example an exam or open day) will be able to take time out to do this. This will not be possible in week two so please check your schedule carefully before you apply.

Students in year 10 and 12 will need to check with their school or college that they can have this time off before they apply.

The closing date for applications is Mon 26 Jan 2026 at 5pm.

Acting audition and interview date: Tue 24 Feb, 5pm - 8.30pm

Technical interview date: Wed 25 Feb, 6pm - 7.30pm

You must be available to attend the interview/audition in person. Please do not apply if you cannot make the above date.

Please fill in the form linked below with as much information as possible and approach it as if you were applying for a real job. Complete and return the form yourself, do not ask a parent/guardian to submit the form on your behalf.

Please note, we receive over 60 applications for approximately 25 places. We will not be able to offer everyone an interview or placement, so please fill your application in carefully. If you are unsuccessful this time, we encourage you to apply again the following year.