Theatre organisations unite behind STEM-focused TheatreCraftinitiative to inspire next generation of backstage talent
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TheatreCraft, which is now part of the Get Into Theatre family, is bringing together leading UK theatre organisations to highlight the vital role of STEM skills in theatre and inspire the next generation of technical talent.
From 9-11 June 2026, TheatreCraft will showcase theatre STEM careers as part of Engineering UK’s Big Bang Fair, at the NEC Birmingham. This annual event, aimed at 10 to 12-year-olds with their teachers, is the UK’s largest celebration of STEM for schools, and this year is expected to attract an audience of 22,000.
At the TheatreCraft stand, participating theatre venues and technical specialists will demonstrate how STEM skills are used across automation, lighting, sound design, digital media and production management. The interactive activities will give young people hands-on opportunities to learn, showcasing the practical application of science, technology and engineering within live performance environments.
From 7-10 July 2026, TheatreCraft ‘Next Generation’ will take over the Technicians’ Gallery at London’s Science Museum, as part of the museum’s Careers Uncovered programme.
This event will give young people, aged 7+, the opportunity to take part in practical demonstrations using professional theatre equipment, including sound mixing on a digital desk, follow-spot operation, moving light control systems, remote-controlled props, counterweight flying systems, and cueing a show from a prompt desk.
Across both events, industry technicians will lead demonstrations, offering insight into their roles and highlighting the skills and pathways available within technical theatre and live events.
This STEM-focused initiative is generously funded by Arts Council England. Organisations supporting TheatreCraft at the Big Bang and TheatreCraft Next Generation with staff and equipment are ABBA Voyage, Adlib, Birmingham Hippodrome, LW Theatres, Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts, National Theatre, Nederlander Theatres, Royal Albert Hall, Royal Ballet and Opera, Royal Shakespeare Company, Unusual Rigging and Wolverhampton Grand Theatre. Together, these organisations aim to demonstrate that theatre depends on a wide range of STEM-based expertise, from engineering and automation to digital systems and production technology.
Clare Annamalai, co-CEO of Get Into Theatre, said:
“TheatreCraft at the Big Bang and TheatreCraft Next Generation are all about broadening horizons and showing young people a range of jobs that they never knew existed. By giving young people the chance
to get hands-on with theatre kit we’ll spark their curiosity. By doing this in non-theatre spaces we’ll reach young people who might not otherwise have considered theatre, and by engaging parents and teachers in the conversation we’ll help to explode some of the myths that persist about theatre careers.”
Bryan Raven, a longtime supporter of TheatreCraft from his time as Managing Director at White Light, said:
“TheatreCraft is about showing young people that technical theatre combines creativity with real-world STEM skills. Whether it’s lighting, sound, automation, video or stage management, these events give young people the opportunity to work with professional equipment and meet the technicians behind live performance. We want students to see that the skills they develop in science, technology, engineering and maths can lead to exciting and sustainable careers in theatre and live events. There are so many transferable skills between STEM subjects and the theatre industry, and I have always been proud to be working alongside so many theatre organisations across the sector working together to champion those pathways.”
School groups can attend The Big Bang Fair free of charge through advance booking.
TheatreCraft Next Generation will include both pre-booked school sessions and public drop-in access during scheduled hours.
Further information about TheatreCraft and upcoming careers events is available via the TheatreCraft website.
Editor’s notes:
Masterclass is a little West End institution that, since 1998, has helped to give tens of thousands of young creatives from all backgrounds access to a career in theatre, through masterclasses with leading on- and offstage practitioners. The list of past masters is a directory of the theatre industry over the last 30 years, and includes Gillian Anderson, Alan Ayckbourn, Mike Bartlett, Michael Billington, Nica Burns, Jez Butterworth, Ryan Calais Cameron, Bradley Cooper, Richard Curtis, Danny DeVito, Idris Elba, James Graham, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, Tom Hiddleston, Robert Icke, Angela Lansbury, Ewan McGregor, Elaine Paige, Alan Rickman, and Bryan Cranston. In addition, the charity’s free year-round programme for 16-30 year olds includes creative workshops, script development opportunities and paid internships. Since 2007 Masterclass has facilitated 66 paid internships with companies including Sonia Friedman Productions, Eleanor Lloyd Productions, Theatre Royal Haymarket and LW Theatres. In 2003 Masterclass founded the annual TheatreCraft careers fair, which is now the UK’s largest offstage theatre careers fair, produced by Masterclass in association with SOLT UK Theatre and RBO.
Get Into Theatre was launched in 2019 with the three founding partners: the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, UK Theatre/SOLT and The Stage, as a one-stop shop for theatre career advice and opportunities – with a view to facilitating entry to the industry for those from underrepresented backgrounds. It is the long-standing theatre partner of government funded Discover Creative Careers, and in 2024 joined forces with ATG to create the ACE funded Work In Theatre which engages with over 275,000 young people, teachers and freelance artists. Get Into Theatre registrations from young people from underrepresented backgrounds have increased by 263% in the seven years of this small charity, with over 25,000 young people and teachers accessing its resources every month.