Every year National Apprenticeship Week gives us the chance to shine a spotlight on some very special people at CFT who are learning their craft while doing the job for real, and this year we couldn’t be prouder to celebrate our six apprentices. 

From 9 –13 Feb, we’ll be celebrating the talent, dedication and creativity of our apprentices who work across all three theatres in technical theatre, costume, production management and Youth & Outreach. They are all a vital part of their teams, helping to bring productions to life onstage, backstage and in the youth theatre.

Being an apprentice at CFT means being fully immersed in your role. Our apprentices aren’t just watching from the wings they’re right at the heart of the action. They work alongside out brilliant teams, supporting our productions and taking on real responsibility in a fast-paced, creative environment. One apprentice might be preparing for the technical rehearsal or the 'get in' of a major tour, another might be fixing and testing all the sound equipment. One could be making elf hats in the costume department, another could be teaching young people to dance...

National Apprenticeship Week is also about celebrating opportunity and our apprentices are given incredible chances to learn beyond the class. 

Hugo, one of our Technical Theatre apprentices, recently had the opportunity to shadow the technical automation teams on Hamilton and The Phantom of the Opera in the West End. Spending time backstage on these world-class productions gave him invaluable insight into large-scale theatre, complex automation systems and the teamwork required to run shows of that scale night after night.

Olivia, our Production Management apprentice, took her learning to new heights with a behind-the-scenes tour of the Royal Albert Hall, including its iconic roof. This rare experience offered a unique perspective on how one of the UK’s most famous venues is managed, maintained and operated safely.

We’re also celebrating an exceptional achievement by Lucas, who has been given the opportunity to work as an Assistant Director on the National Connections Festival in March. This is a significant responsibility and a real milestone, especially as an apprentice. Being trusted with an assistant directing role reflects Lucas’ professionalism, creative ability and the confidence others have in his potential.

Alongside their day-to-day roles at CFT, apprentices also spend dedicated time learning with the Chichester College Apprenticeship team. This off-the-job learning allows them to reflect on their experiences, build professional knowledge and connect what they do in the workplace to the wider creative industries.

If you’re curious about apprenticeships or thinking about your own creative future, you can meet our apprentices at the Creative Industries Careers Day on 3 Feb. It’s a great chance to ask questions, hear first-hand what it’s really like to be an apprentice at CFT and get inspired by people already doing the job they love.