There are lots of different ways for you to get involved with Worcester Theatres!
This page will list any job opportunities that we have available, as well as details about volunteering and work experience.
Job Vacancies
Performance Opportunities
Work Experience and Placements
Job Vacancies
Casting Call
THE HAND OF SARAH NELMES CASTING DETAILS
PLEASE REVIEW THIS CASTING CALL CAREFULLY AND SUBMIT AN APPLICATION ONLY IF YOU MEET THE ROLE REQUIREMENTS AND ARE AVAILABLE FOR ALL PRODUCTION DATES.
The Hand of Sarah Nelmes
Martin Lytton’s new play is the winner of the Three Counties Talent Hub playwriting competition 2026. It tells the story of milkmaid Sarah Nelmes and her part in the discovery of the original smallpox vaccination. This runs in parallel with a plot about the discovery of the COVID vaccination. The play is written for three actors (2 female, 1 male) and is set in two different time periods: the 1790’s and 2020. Gloucestershire rural accents and also standard English will be needed for all actors. The two female performers will be required to sing.
We’re looking for actors who are based in the three counties (Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Worcestershire) and within a 25 mile radius to central Malvern.
Casting Breakdown
ACTOR 1 (Female). Playing age fifteen to late twenties. Central character (Sarah Nelmes) and others. Carries a lot of the narrative, including direct audience address. Needs to be an assured, confident performer who can also sing.
ACTOR 2 (Female). Playing age late thirties to late sixties and above. Lots of challenging changes of age and character. Formidable, assertive – and moments of sensitivity. The roles are mother/grandmother, so we are looking for a maternal feel. She sings.
ACTOR 3 (Male). Playing age late twenties to early forties. Plays five different characters (including Edward Jenner), so needs to be flexible and quick thinking. Different accents required, including Gloucestershire, American and Standard English. This actor plays the highest status characters in the play.
Production Information.
THE HAND OF SARAH NELMES will be directed by Paul Milton and designed by Corin Hayes. Auditions will be held at Malvern Theatres on Friday 27th February 2026.
Rehearsals will take place in Malvern from 7th - 22nd April.
Performances:
Malvern Theatres Studio - 22nd and 23rd April.
Cheltenham Everyman Studio - 24th and 25th April.
Worcester Theatres Swan Studio - 27th and 28th April.
This is a paid professional opportunity under a UK Theatre contract. Travel expenses will be covered in line with current UK theatre rates; no subsistence is provided.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
Actors are recruited based on their talent and potential, and we welcome inquiries and applications from all professional performers who fit the casting brief. Three Counties Talent Hub is committed to providing equal opportunities and an inclusive environment across all of our productions.
HOW TO APPLY
After carefully reviewing the dates, role descriptions and actor location criteria, interested applicants should submit an email with the following information:
· Your acting CV
· A recent, clear headshot
· Your contact details
· A link to your spotlight page (if you have one)
Please add the following subject line to your email: The Hand of Sarah Nelmes Auditions: [Name of the role you are applying for].
Please send your application to [email protected] by 12 noon, Friday 13th February 2026
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Shire Stories Film Maker
Shire Stories are looking for a film maker who can capture footage and interviews for the project during 2026 and 2027.
The film-maker will:
- Capture footage and interviews with writers/actors/audience from 2 new writing showcase events during May 2026 and during June – Jul 2027 (2 half days in total - specific dates still to be set).
- Capture footage and interviews with the project’s associated artists and with project manager and facilitators between July and September 2027
- Edit into one final, short film, including appropriate logos, documenting the results of the project, by 15th October 2027.
Person Specification:
- Be able to demonstrate successful experience of carrying out similar projects and producing similar films especially for projects that have received external funding
- Hold public liability insurance to the value of £5,000,000
- Be available in the time period and able to meet the deadlines.
To Apply:
Please send no more than 2 sides of A4 showing how you meet the 3 criteria requirements above and providing links to relevant work (previous films you have made) to [email protected]
The closing date for applications is 15th March 2026
Performance Opportunites
ITCH! The Worcester Scratch
Got something to share? From theatre making, new writing, cabaret to dance or something totally unexpected - we want to see it! Our scratch nights are for artists at any stage of their career, to share new work or work-in-progress performances with a live audience and to get real, supportive feedback.
We are looking for acts for the following Itch! events:
Friday 27 February, Friday 24 April, Friday 5 June, Friday 31 July, Friday 18 September, Friday 6 November
All applicants must be 18 or over. This is a paid opportunity
Fill in the application form below:
Or get in touch with [email protected] with any questions or queries!
Culture Café
We are looking for new acts for our monthly Culture Café.
The last Friday of every month we host our Culture Café at Huntingdon Hall. This is a free opportunity for people to come in, grab a drink and enjoy a fantastic live performance.
We are looking for local artists to join us. We want to showcase a vibrant mix of genres, including live music, comedy, poetry and immersive cultural experiences.
This is a paid opportunity
Please contact our Community Producer [email protected] if you are interested in performing.
Please include details of what you do/your act, and include any links to videos and/or your website.
Work Experience and Placements
NT Connections Technical Theatre Programme
Worcester Theatres creates opportunities for artists, young people and the wider public to make and experience art of the highest quality. We focus on supporting young and emerging talent and removing the barriers that can get in the way of building a meaningful career in the arts.
We’re excited to be running the NT Connections Technical Theatre Programme, a free opportunity for 16–21 year olds. The programme is ideal if you want to build new skills, get real backstage experience and see whether a future in technical theatre could be right for you. It’s a chance to explore different backstage roles and find out more about how theatre really works.
As a participant in the NT Connections Technical Theatre Programme, you’ll work with Worcester Theatres’ technical and participation teams across three main programme days on 30 March 2026, 31 March 2026 and 1 April 2026 at the Swan Theatre, Worcester. There will also be an induction day (date TBC), arranged to suit the availability of selected participants.
During the programme, you’ll:
• Learn the basics of stage lighting, sound and backstage communication systems
• Take part in a Programming Lighting Workshop
• Take part in a Sound Mixing Workshop
• Take part in a Flying and Rigging Workshop
• Get hands-on experience using QLab
• Attend a careers talk with Worcester Theatres’ Technical Manager
• Get hands-on with technical equipment in a professional theatre setting
• Support technical rehearsals and get-in/get-out (set-up and pack-down) for productions
• Work alongside Worcester Theatres’ technical staff and visiting companies
• Build skills in teamwork, problem-solving and working under show conditions
• Provide technical support for all productions during the NT Connections Festival 2026 at the Swan Theatre, Worcester
The programme is free to attend, and you’ll receive a £50 travel bursary, with all necessary safety equipment provided. This programme is funded by the National Theatre.
How to apply
You can apply for the NT Connections Technical Theatre Programme by completing the online application form here
Deadline to apply is the 6th March 2026
Do you want to gain valuble experience that can be applied to a range of workplaces in an exciting and fast-paced environment? We can offer work experience across departments such as Marketing, Technical, Front-of-House, Box Office and Outreach. Work experience at Worcester Theatres is a great way to explore the varied inner workings of a theatre and to gain a hands-on understanding to how an organisation works together.
For more information or any enquiries, please email [email protected] with a little bit about yourself and what you are interested in advancing in.
Please note: we are only able to offer work experience or placement opportunities to those who are 16+.
Volunteering
Please click the button below to find out more about Volunteering with us.
Inclusive Worcestershire Leader
Worcester Theatres is incredibly proud to be an Inclusive Worcestershire Leader, meaning we are continuously striving for positive change within our organization. We believe everyone is entitled to fair and unbiased treatment and we’re proud to be an equal opportunities employer.
If you would like to apply for a position and have certain access requirements that may affect your application and/or interview, please get in touch with us via [email protected]. We will do everything we can to make the application process accessible to you.
Inclusive Worcestershire is a programme designed to help businesses embrace diversity and inclusion. If you would like to find out more about their work and how to be involved, visit their website and read the INclusive Emplyoment Magazine here: INCLUSIVE Worcestershire - CLICK HERE
