OV Backstage

The programme will include:

• Work experience on a professional production at The Old Vic
• 15 paid shifts at £115 per day
• Two induction days with Old Vic staff
• On-the-job practical learning within one chosen discipline, with support from Old Vic staff
• A follow-up networking event after the project ends
• Support with travel costs for the duration of the project if required
• The opportunity to join OV Connect, The Old Vic’s alumni network

Costume and Wardrobe

Shadow the costume designer, costume supervisor and in-house Wardrobe team. 

A look at the whole costume process, from design and creation through to the day-to-day dressing and maintenance of costumes throughout the production. 

This might include supporting with fittings and alterations, storage, dressing, shopping and costume administration.  

Lighting

Shadow the lighting designer and in-house Lighting team. 

A look at the whole lighting process from design concept and creation through to how this is practically achieved, programmed and operated during the production.  

This might include supporting with rigging and focussing of the lights, shadowing the lighting programmer, maintenance, and a look at how the lighting designer and in-house team turn the designs into reality for the production. 

Set and Staging

Shadow the set designer and in-house Stage team.  

An opportunity to see how set and props are designed, constructed and maintained over a production, as well as how the theatre is transformed between one production and the next. 

This might include helping with the ‘Get Out’, where the previous production is removed from the theatre, or the ‘Get In’ of the new production, as well as helping to make, source and maintain the set, props and stage systems.  

Sound

Shadow the sound designer and in-house Sound team.  

A look at the whole sound process from design and creation through to how this is practically achieved, programmed and operated during the production.  

This might include supporting with the sound system tuning, rigging, and maintenance, and a look at how the sound designer and in-house team turn the designs into reality for the production.

Stage Management

Shadow the Stage Management team from rehearsals through to Press Night. 

A look at how the team coordinate the technical, practical and pastoral aspects of a production to ensure smooth running of the show. Find out about the different roles company stage managers, deputy stage managers and assistant stage managers take on in a production.  

This might include attending rehearsals, supporting with setting props, production administration and shadowing the show being called.  

Aside from discipline specific opportunities, all participants will learn how the different backstage departments work together to bring a production to The Old Vic stage.

Everyone will also have the opportunity to:

• Meet a variety of backstage professionals including our in-house technical team, the production creative team and our wider freelance teams
• Discuss how the Theatre Green Book is integrated into the production along with all elements of environmental sustainability
• Learn in detail about the variety of backstage roles available through our OV Backstage resource pack
• Attend production meetings
• Attend technical rehearsals and tech notes
• Attend Press Night
• Receive one-to-one tailored advice on next steps after the programme

OV Backstage will take place this year from 02 Jun–09 Jul 2025 with a Next Steps workshop on Tue 15 Jul.

Individual schedules will vary depending on the chosen discipline. We will work with individuals to agree their schedule and book shifts as far in advance as possible.  

As production schedules are liable to change, we require applicants to confirm they have good availability during the programme dates (e.g. no long holidays booked). This is to ensure you are available for any last-minute activity that would be interesting and beneficial to your development. 

Key Dates

• Induction workshops: Mon 02 and Tue 03 Jun 10am–5pm
• Shifts will take place between Wed 04 Jun–Wed 09 Jul
• Next Steps workshop: Tue 15 Jul 10am–5pm

Shifts will take place at The Old Vic and workshops will take place on site or at a venue nearby.

Applications for this year’s OV Backstage programme will open on Thu 20 Mar 2025 at 11am.

You can apply to this programme using the OV Backstage application form. The deadline for applications is Mon 07 Apr at 4pm

• The form has two sections and we recommend you put aside at least 30 minutes to complete it
• Section one will ask you to confirm your personal details, eligibility, availability for the project and any access requirements you have
• Section two will ask you the following questions:

1. Which discipline are you applying for? (Costume and Wardrobe, Lighting, Set and Staging, Sound, or Stage Management)
2. Why are you interested in your chosen discipline? (Suggested word count 150–200 words)
3. What transferable skills or past experience or do you have related to your chosen discipline? (Suggested word count 150–200 words)
4. How would you hope to use the experience gained on OV Backstage programme in your future? (Suggested word count 150–200 words)

• You may answer these questions using the form or alternatively you can send us a video or voice note (maximum three minutes in length) to ovbackstage@oldvictheatre.com
• If you require any support with the application process or any part of it is inaccessible to you, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us at ovbackstage@oldvictheatre.com or on 020 3954 3155
• Once applications have closed, we will invite shortlisted applicants to a short interview to discuss more about the programme. Interviews will take place on Tue 29 Apr, Wed 30 Apr or Thu 01 May

For more information on the OV Backstage disciplines and a huge variety of theatre careers please visit our digital learning platform The Hub

OV Backstage has been set up to work with young people who are currently underrepresented in backstage roles, such as people from the global majority, women, those from working class backgrounds, care experienced people, neurodiverse people and disabled people.

• You must be aged 18–30
• You must be based in London, or within the surrounding areas — placements will involve evening work
• You must belong to one of the underrepresented groups outlined above
• You must be interested in developing a career in your chosen discipline
• This programme is for those at the start or early on in their careers — you must have had some prior experience or transferable skills, perhaps at school or a short course. You must not have undertaken any formal training or a university degree related to theatre or your chosen discipline. If you are unsure whether you are eligible, please email ovbackstage@oldvictheatre.com
• We are committed to identifying and resolving barriers which may ordinarily exclude young people from accessing theatre, so we are particularly keen to hear from people who have had limited or no access to arts opportunities in the past

• We are committed to working alongside disabled and neurodivergent people (including those who experience dyslexia, ADHD, autism, and other neurodivergent ways of thinking). We can provide adjustments at all stages of the application process and throughout the programme.
• If you have a different learning style, we can also change the course content to suit you.
• We can bring in additional staff support if you would require this.
• If you have any questions about access please do not hesitate to contact us at ovbackstage@oldvictheatre.com or on 020 3954 3155

If you have any questions about the OV Backstage programme, the application process or want to discuss whether this is the right opportunity for you please do not hesitate to get in touch. You can email us at ovbackstage@oldvictheatre.com or call us on 020 3954 3155