TheatreCraft is a free annual event for 16–30 year olds interested in exploring off-stage careers in theatre.

TheatreCraft is run by Get Into Theatre, the Royal Ballet and Opera, and the Society of London Theatre / UK Theatre, providing opportunities, information and advice to young people interested in joining the UK theatre workforce.

Throughout the day, attendees can take part in workshops, talks, Q&As, backstage tours and on-stage demonstrations led by industry professionals. They can also explore our Exhibitor Marketplace, meet organisations from across the theatre industry and discover the wide variety of careers, training and education opportunities available to them.

TheatreCraft 2026 takes place on Friday 6 November at the Royal Opera House and venues across London’s West End.

Before TheatreCraft,

We recommend that your young person signs up to the TheatreCraft 2026 mailing list.

We’ll use it to share event updates, programme announcements and important information about when and how to book sessions for TheatreCraft 2026. They can sign up at the bottom of this page.

We know that attending an event in central London independently can feel like a big step, particularly if it’s their first time at TheatreCraft.

Here are a few things that may help you and your young person prepare for the day:

• The main TheatreCraft hub is at the Royal Opera House, where our Exhibitor Marketplace takes place. You can find information about getting to TheatreCraft on our How to Get Here FAQ.
• Workshops, talks, tours and on-stage demonstrations also take place at participating West End venues, generally within a 10–15 minute walk of the Royal Opera House. Venue information will be clearly communicated ahead of the event and in the information attendees receive on the day.
• TheatreCraft volunteers will be stationed at the Royal Opera House and participating venues throughout the day. If an attendee has a question or needs help, they can speak to one of our volunteers or visit the Information Desk in the foyer of the Royal Opera House.
• TheatreCraft is designed to be a welcoming and engaging environment where young people can explore the industry, ask questions and meet others with similar interests.
• Encourage your young person to explore the programme before the event and think about the areas of theatre they’re most interested in. They may also discover careers and opportunities they hadn’t previously considered!

You can also explore our primary website (www.getintotheatre.org) for information and resources that can help you support their theatre ambitions.

We want to give as many young people as possible the opportunity to take part in TheatreCraft.

Many of our workshops, talks and tours have limited capacities. We therefore prioritise these spaces for our 16–30-year-old attendees, and parents and guardians are not able to book places on these sessions unless attending as an essential carer.

Our Exhibitor Marketplace can also become very busy, so we ask parents and guardians not to accompany young people into the Marketplace unless they are attending as an essential carer.

If you are travelling to TheatreCraft together, there are several cafés within the Royal Opera House and throughout the surrounding Covent Garden and West End area where you can wait while your young person takes part in the event.

If you have any questions while you’re there, you’re welcome to speak to the TheatreCraft team at the Information Desk in the Royal Opera House foyer.

Essential carers are welcome to accompany an attendee where their support is required to enable that young person to take part in TheatreCraft.

The young person you are supporting should book their workshops, talks and tours as usual.

Once their bookings have been made, please email info@theatrecraft.org and let us know which sessions they have booked and that they will be attending with an essential carer.

Our team can then make sure the relevant arrangements are in place for your visit.