Trainee assistant stage manager

Closing date for applications: Wednesday 28 October 2026 at 6pm

Role Title: Trainee Assistant Stage Manager (Production & Backstage)

Salary: £13.45 per hour (Fixed term £3,026.22)

Location: University Park, Lakeside Arts, Nottingham NG7 2RD

Duration: 37.5 hours per week, 23rd November 2026 - 3rd January 2027

Responsible to: Richard Statham Technical Manager

Interviews: 2 November 2026, Nottingham

This unique traineeship offers hands-on experience working on Lakeside Arts’ Christmas family production while developing practical skills in stage management and live performance delivery.

Through theatre and art, Good Chance creates new kinds of communities, collaborating with artists from across the world and connecting people, stories and cultures.

Lakeside Arts, University of Nottingham and Good Chance are partnering to offer an exciting new opportunity for someone with experience of forced displacement to join the Lakeside Arts team on their upcoming Christmas production.

Lakeside Arts is the University of Nottingham’s public arts and heritage programme, presenting a year-round programme of theatre, dance, music, exhibitions and learning activity. You’ll join a welcoming team committed to creating inspiring cultural experiences and supporting the next generation of creative professionals.

As part of Stage Door 11, you’ll also become part of a national cohort of trainees, benefiting from networking opportunities, masterclasses, wellbeing support and mentoring delivered by Good Chance.

You’ll work across rehearsals and performances, supporting backstage operations, props management, performer support, cue preparation and the smooth delivery of performances. You’ll also contribute to audience experience, including accessible and inclusive performances, working closely with technical, production and Front of House teams.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone looking to take their first significant step into professional theatre. Throughout the placement, you will gain experience across rehearsals, performances, technical operations, audience-facing activity and accessibility initiatives, developing practical skills while working alongside experienced arts professionals in a supportive learning environment.

About you

This training opportunity is open to people from a refugee background with lived experience of forced displacement and/or seeking asylum in the UK.

We are looking for someone who:

• Has experience of theatre, live events or backstage production through professional, educational or independent projects.
• Has some practical backstage experience and is keen to develop a career in theatre.
• Is enthusiastic, reliable and eager to learn.
• Communicates well and enjoys working collaboratively.
• Is based in the East Midlands and available throughout the traineeship period, including some evening and weekend work.
• An interest in stage management, technical theatre, family theatre or inclusive arts

What we offer:

• A paid, practical introduction to professional stage management.
• Experience working on a Christmas theatre production.
• Access to mentoring, wellbeing support and industry masterclasses through Stage Door 11.
• Practical experience across stage management, production, accessibility and audience engagement.
• The opportunity to develop confidence, transferable workplace skills and professional networks within the theatre sector.
• A friendly, diverse and supportive working environment.
• Professional development opportunities and valuable industry connections within a leading arts venue.

What next?

To apply, please complete the application form, which includes:

• A one-page supporting statement – using the person specification as a guide, please outline why you are interested in the post and how your skills and experience meet the criteria for this role.
• Your CV or a list of your experience (maximum 2 pages)

Alternatively, applicants are welcome to submit their applications in a format that is most accessible to them (i.e. a written document, video recording or audio recording).

This fixed-term traineeship runs from 23 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, and you must be available for the full period.

We welcome and encourage applications from candidates who are under-represented in the creative industries.

Please make sure that you state in your application that you found this role via Creative Access.