A new Technical Summer Academy is coming to Chichester Festival Theatre this summer, offering participants aged 18-30 a rare chance to step behind the scenes and explore the many technical careers that make theatre possible. 

Read on to discover why the programme was created, what participants can expect and why Chichester is the ideal home for it, as explained by our Technical Director, Chris Boone.

Why have you decided to run the academy?

College courses and traditional pathways don’t work for everyone, and if someone isn’t completely sure what they want to do yet, it can be difficult to commit to a full course or apprenticeship. The idea behind the academy is to give people a taster of the opportunities available in technical theatre. It allows them to explore different disciplines before deciding what direction they might want to take. 

Who is it for?

This opportunity is for anyone who has a passion or an interest in theatre. You don’t need to worry about having lots of experience. Our staff and practitioners will tailor the week to the people on the course. The aim is to make it accessible, supportive and inspiring, whether someone is completely new to technical theatre or already has some experience.

Who will be running the academy? 

At CFT we already have a fantastic apprenticeship scheme and a Technical Youth Theatre, so our staff are very experienced and passionate about sharing their knowledge. Alongside the in-house team, we’ll also be working with a range of freelance professionals who are equally committed to passing on their skills. Many of them have worked all over the world on some of the highest quality theatre productions. Participants will meet people from across the industry, from associate lighting designers to production carpenters and automation engineers. It’s a great opportunity not only to learn new skills but also to start building connections with some of the finest theatre makers in the business.

What will participants be doing during the week? 

The academy isn’t focused on just one discipline. Instead, it’s designed to give participants experience across a wide range of technical theatre roles. Over the week they’ll explore lighting, sound, projection, video, automation, stagecraft and rigging. They’ll also have the opportunity to shadow backstage in the Festival Theatre itself, seeing how a large-scale musical operates on a daily basis. 

Throughout the week everyone will work together towards a final showcase, which will take place at the end of the programme. This will demonstrate many of the technical elements the group has learned, giving participants a chance to put their new skills into practice.

Why is CFT the perfect venue? 

Chichester is an ideal place to host an academy like this because the whole site is like a working theatre campus. We have the 1,300-seat Festival Theatre, the 310-seat Minerva Theatre and now The Nest with 120 seats. During the summer the entire campus is alive with activity, with multiple productions running and artists working across the site. 

Having The Nest available for the whole week means participants will have a fully equipped working theatre as their playground and home base. It’s the perfect environment to immerse yourself in theatre and discover what goes on behind the scenes.

Applications are now open for 12 participants aged 18–30 who are eager to explore the world of technical theatre. The week costs £100, with bursaries available, plus support for travel and accommodation.  For more information and to apply, click here.

Generously supported by James and Anne McMeehan Roberts.