FAQs 2023

When and where is this year’s TheatreCraft event?

( nTheatreCraft 2023 will take place on Monday 20 November 2023.

The marketplace and most workshops will be hosted at the Royal Opera House. Some workshops and tours are taking place at the the Adelphi Theatre, the Gillian Lynne Theatre, His Majesty’s Theatre, the Lyceum Theatre and the Sondheim Theatre. Please see the ‘Plan Your Day’ page for full details.

Timetable on the Day

All attendees must check in on the day of the event at the Royal Opera House, even if you’re first workshop is at another theatre. You can check in from 9.30am, general admission to the Marketplace is from 10.00am.

9:30 – 10:00 – Marketplace Quiet Time*

10:00 – 15:00 – Marketplace open

10:30- 14:30 – Workshops & Tours

14:30 -15:30 – Main Stage Demonstrations

TheatreCraft Online will take place separately on Wednesday 29 November, and registration will open soon. TheatreCraft Online is open to all ages.

*Quiet Time is for those with sensory processing sensitivities. Please see our ‘Access needs’ answer for more info.

How do I sign up to attend? Where do I book workshops and tours?

Registration is opening soon for TheatreCraft 2023. Make sure you sign up to our newsletter to be notified when registration opens!

Please note, TheatreCraft is for young people aged 16-30. If you are a teacher/group leader, you are welcome to bring a group of young people to the event, but they must register their places individually. If you are a parent/carer, the attendee can add you as a ‘plus one’ to their registration.

Once you have registered for your place, you will receive an email once Workshop & Tour booking opens.

Please email [email protected] for more information for large groups.

Where do I go on the day?

When you Arrive

Head to the Bow Street Entrance of the Royal Opera House when you arrive. The registration desk is in the foyer, and we will scan your QR code (sent the day before the event) to sign in, and receive your TheatreCraft Lanyard, and your programme.

From there, you can head to the exhibitor marketplace, and to your pre-booked tours and workshops. Bag checks will occur at our venues. We recommend ending your day by attending the main stage demonstrations at 2.30pm!

Lyceum Theatre
If you have booked a Behind the Scenes tour at The Lion King, please make your own way to the Lyceum Theatre main entrance on Wellington Street. A TheatreCraft Volunteer will meet you outside the front of the theatre and take you to the Stage Door for your tour.

If you have booked a workshop in the Ambassadors Lounge at the Lyceum Theatre, please make your way to the Ambassadors Lounge Entrance on Exeter Street, where a member of staff will sign you into the workshop.

Sondheim Theatre
If you have booked a workshop that is at the Sondheim Theatre (Les Miserables theatre) please make your own way to the main entrance on Shaftebury Avenue, where a volunteer or staff member will meet you in the foyer to sign you in to your workshop.

Where am I going for my workshop/tour?

Booked onto a workshop or tour and not sure where you’re going?

Crush Room or Conservatory, Royal Opera House
Head up the stairs from the registration desk – the Crush room is directly at the top of the stairs, and the Conservatory is next to it.

Backstage Tours, Royal Opera House

The meeting point is in the ground floor café – go to the registration desk and head along the ground floor corridor. The meeting point is against the brown bar by the café serving point.

Lyceum Theatre
If you have booked the Technical Tour Backstage at The Lion King, please make your own way to the Lyceum Theatre main entrance on Wellington Street. A TheatreCraft Volunteer will meet you outside the front of the theatre and take you to the Stage Door for your tour.

If you have booked a workshop in the Ambassadors Lounge at the Lyceum Theatre, please make your way to the Ambassadors Lounge Entrance on Exeter Street, where a member of staff will sign you into the workshop.

Sondheim Theatre
If you have booked a workshop that is at the Sondheim Theatre please make your own way to the Sondheim Theatre’s main entrance on Shaftesbury Avenue, (Les Miserables theatre) where a volunteer or staff member will meet you in the foyer to sign you in to your workshop.

Who will be in the marketplace?

Our marketplace is full of theatre organisations, education providers and venues. You will have time throughout the day to visit the booths of your favourite exhibitors, speak one-to-one and network with industry professionals.

The marketplace will be split over two spaces this year, the Paul Hamlyn Hall and the Linbury Theatre Foyer in the Royal Opera House. This is to allow more space and to reduce noise levels in the marketplaces.

There is a designated ‘Quiet Time’ 9.30am-10am, where those who would benefit from a quieter experience can attend and explore the marketplaces. You will be able to select this option as an accessibility requirement on your booking form.

Who is TheatreCraft for?

TheatreCraft is for anyone aged 16 – 30 who is interested in an off-stage career in theatre. You can be at any stage in your career or training, or just be wondering whether a career in theatre is for you.

If you’re exploring a career in theatre, the education stalls in the Marketplace and ‘Introduction to’ Workshops will help you really dig into the different roles. If you are already settled in your chosen career, you may find the industry stalls in Marketplace and practical workshops of most interest. But of course, you are free to enjoy whichever parts of the day suit you most.

If you are over 30, you are welcome to attend TheatreCraft Online on 29 November.

If you are a teacher/group leader, you are welcome to bring a group of young people to the event, but they must register their places individually. If you are a parent/carer, the attendee can add you as a ‘plus one’ to their registration.

Do I have to pay to attend the event or any of the workshops?

No! It is all completely free.

I have specific access needs, what should I do?

Wheelchair Accessibility

The Marketplaces are both fully accessible for wheelchair users. There are lifts in the ROH foyer, and please ask a volunteer (in a pink tshirt) if you need directions. For workshops, the workshops in the Royal Opera House, the Lyceum Theatre’s Ambassador Lounge and the Sondheim Theatre’s Main Auditorium are all wheelchair accessible. Unfortunately the workshops in the Bars at the Sondheim Theatre are not wheelchair accessible. Please let us know on your booking form of your accessibility needs so we can support you in attending.

British Sign Language Interpreters

There will be British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters at the Royal Opera House for on stage demonstrations and workshops in the Linbury theatre, and for the Main Stage Demonstration at 2.30pm in the Main Auditorium at the Royal Opera House.

Anxiety & Sensory Processing Sensitivities

The Marketplace can get busy during the day. There will be a designated quiet time 9:30-10:00 for those who need a calm environment to explore the marketplace – please tick on your registration form to attend during this time. Throughout the day, there is a quiet space available if you need a break (please check your programme or ask at Info Desk for the location).

If you have a carer who would need to attend workshops with you, please book a ‘plus one’ carer space on your workshops.

We will also have more workshop spaces available this year so you can plan your day fully in advance.

Got another access question?

TheatreCraft is open to everyone, and we will do our best to make sure that the day is accessible to everyone who needs it. To speak to someone about any specific access needs or concerns, please contact [email protected].