Not sure of your next steps?
Front Line gives 16–30 year olds the opportunity to discover more about careers in theatre and develop key transferable skills through paid placements with our Front Of House team.
Participants will watch one of our productions, shadow various members of staff and take on important roles welcoming patrons to our theatre.
By taking part in Front Line, you will gain up to 26 hours of paid on-the-job experience in the following areas:
- Join our friendly team of ushers and ensure that all customers are looked after during their visit
- Learn from our team of baristas in our cafe: serving up coffee, unique drinks and a selection of pastries and snacks
- Gain insight into how the Box Office and ticketing systems work and learn what skills are required in a successful Box Office team
- Partner with a Stage Door Manager and immerse yourself in the theatre’s busy back of house
- Connect with the Education & Community department, supporting one of their events
The programme culminates in a CV workshop exploring the skills you have developed and how to apply them to your next steps.
All sessions are paid at London Living Wage.
We are currently recruiting participants to work on one of our two upcoming productions, A Christmas Carol or Oedipus. During the selection workshop, we will discuss which production works best for you.
Along with the induction and next steps workshops, you will take part in five shifts during your placement.
Induction workshop: Tue 19 Nov, 2.30–5.30pm
A Christmas Carol performance: Tue 19 Nov, 7.30–10pm
Shifts: various dates and times from Thu 21 Nov–Wed 11 Dec
Education & Community shifts: Fri 06 Dec, Mon 09 Dec & Wed 11 Dec, 10am–2pm (you must ideally be able to attend one of these shifts)
Next Steps workshop: Thu 12 Dec, 2–5pm
Induction workshop: Wed 26 Feb 2025, 2.30–5.30pm
Oedipus performance: Wed 26 Feb 2025, 7.30–10pm
Shifts: various dates and times from Thu 27 Feb–Wed 19 Mar 2025
Education & Community shifts: Wed 12 Mar & Wed 19 Mar 2025, 10am–2pm (you must ideally be able to attend one of these shifts)
Next Steps workshop: Thu 20 Mar 2025, 2–5pm
Applications for our next Front Line programme are not yet open.
To be the first to find out when applications open, please register your interest using our online expression of interest form.
This programme is designed for people looking to explore a career in theatre or hospitality, who have little to no work experience and are ready to take their first steps.
You must:
- Be aged 16-30
- Have the right to live and work in the UK
- Be able to attend the Induction and Next Steps workshop for one of the shows listed under ‘Programme Dates’
- Have good availability during the ‘shift dates’ period for at least one of the shows listed under ‘Programme Dates’
- Not have taken part in Front Line or Front Line Lambeth previously
- We are committed to working with young people who have a disability or identify as neuro-diverse (for example, dyslexia, ADHD, autism) and can make adjustments at all stages of the application process and the programme itself
- We can bring in additional staff support if you would require this
- Shifts take place at The Old Vic where it is possible to undertake work with step-free access
If you would like to discuss your access needs, please email frontline@oldvictheatre.com.
If you have any questions about the programme, please email frontline@oldvictheatre.com.