about us

what we do & the team

Aged 16 - 30 and interested in theatre? Want FREE opportunities to regularly engage with the best in the industry?

What we do here at Masterclass:

  • A mix of Masterclasses - inspiring and empowering talks and onstage workshops with leading industry figures from theatre, film and TV on a West End stage
  • Exciting creative opportunities
  • Careers advice
  • Paid apprenticeships
PLUS £5 tickets to top West End and fringe shows

Become a Masterclass member for free today


our charitable objectives


Supporting and nurturing young people through theatre is, and always will be, at the heart of Masterclass. As the in-house education charity of the Theatre Royal Haymarket, for the past 21 years we have been dedicated to opening up this beautiful and historic building as a resource for young people so they can gain hands-on experiences through theatre.

Our charitable objectives are to advance the education of young people aged 16 – 30 by promoting the study of drama and in particular the art and craft of theatre.

We are devoted to using theatre as a platform to build confidence, strengthen self-esteem, nurture creativity and develop business and life skills in young people –the talent of the future.

AWARDS

Nominee - 2021 Music & Drama Education Awards - Outstanding Drama Initiative (Script Sessions)
Winner - 2020 Music & Drama Education Awards  - Outstanding Drama Education Resource (Cookies & Educational Resources)
Winner - 2018 Security Serious Unsung Heroes Awards - Standout Security Awareness Campaign (Cyberscene Project)
Nominee - 2012 Third Sector Excellence Award for Charity Partnership (Royal British Legion & Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust)
Winner - 2012 Amnesty International Freedom of Expression Award (The Two Worlds of Charlie F)

Theatre Royal Haymarket Masterclass Trust is a registered charity (no.1159840). To view our annual accounts and our Charity Commission page, click here.

the team

Clare Annamalai
Programme Director
clare@masterclass.org.uk

Hazel Kerr
Programmer 

Ellen Walpole
Marketing & Press Manager
ellen@masterclass.org.uk

Charlotte Wallis
Outreach & Development Manager
charlotte@masterclass.org.uk

the board of trustees

our patrons

Dame Judi Dench
Sir David Hare
Maureen Lipman CBE
Elaine Paige OBE

development board

Fiona Arghebant
Moira Beattie
Susan Bliss
Josephine Bonfield
William Differ
Katy Egan
Blayne George
Jenny Green
Jeanne Mandry
Suellen Richmond
Fiona Williams

youth board

Denait Abraham
Ben Anderson
Natasha Houghton
Hannah Khalique-Brown
Lewis McKinnon
Ethan McKenna
Ama Ofori-Darko
Claire Parry
Dezrika Ramsey
Bryony Relf
Lizzie Schenk
Ben Weaver-Hincks

masterclasses

the masterclasses

Want to get some top tips from leading industry professionals across the theatre, television and film industries? Or fancy working on a West End stage with top actors & directors?

We host a regular series of Masterclass sessions here at the Theatre Royal Haymarket, which include hands-on workshops, inspiring talks, and open Q&As that give you the opportunity to have your burning questions answered!

Ever wondered how your favourite actors landed their dream role? Or where designers find inspiration?

Our ‘Masters’ share their professional experiences as actors, directors, producers, designers, playwrights (and more) to support young people, give them practical experience (such as feedback on their audition speeches) and answer their questions.

The Masterclasses are generously supported by
The Boris Karloff Charitable Foundation, The Noël Coward Foundation
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pitch your play

pitch your play

Our Pitch Your Play scheme invites young writers (aged 17-30) to pitch a new play to a panel of industry professionals. Three successful pitches are given space, admin and marketing support, working with the Masterclass team to produce a staged reading. In addition, each winning team receives one week's access to our West End stage in order to rehearse and stage their play. This culminates in an exclusive opportunity to showcase their work in a West End venue to an audience of friends, family, colleagues and invited industry professionals.

How to Apply


Submissions for Pitch Your Play 2020 are now CLOSED!

Click here for more information.


Pitch Your Play 2021

2021 Selected Scripts:
Little India by Dilan Raithatha
Souvenir by Matt Gurr
Two Flats on Clifton Street by Faebien Averies


2020 Shortlisted Scripts
Kick by Martha Watson Allpress
Two Flats on Clifton Street by Faebian Averies
The Tinker by Olivia Foan
Souvenir by Matt Gurr
Great Wars by Laura Homer
Little India by Dilan Raithatha


2020 Longlisted Scripts
Kick by Martha Allpress
Two Flats on Clifton Street by Faebian Averies
Marshmallow Girls by Rosie Bowden
Bark by Stephanie Dickson
The Tinker by Olivia Foan
Rahila and Me by Adam Foster
Love Underground by Sam Gillett
Souvenir by Matt Gurr
The Right Thing by Laura Homer
The House of Sappho by Matthew Ingram
The Sudden Unbuttoning of Mr. Tuttle by Thom Jordan
Leave to Stand by Paul Testar
Fish Crack by Erin Kubicki
The Devil's In The Chair by Eoin McAndrew
Lock In by Mimi Monteith
Hope and Her Children by Lauren Morley
A Purple Orange by James Morris
MISS by Rasa Niurkaite
Lobster Pot by Nicky Osborn
Little India by Dilan Raithatha
Graceland by Emily Renee
The Wind Blows Free by Freddy Sawyer
A Bit Funny by Lily Shahmoon
The Grenfell Project by Amy Sherlock
The Grand March by Pooja Sivaraman
Belle by Kate Taylor-James



Past participant Emma Whipday spoke to Masterclass about winning Pitch Your Play in 2015 and explains how it has helped further her career, even taking her to America! Click here to watch the video


The Masterclass Pitch Your Play Scheme is generously supported by The Noël Coward Foundation and the Vernon Charitable Trust.




past events

apprentice scheme

the apprentice scheme

Our apprentice scheme offers you the chance to work alongside theatre professionals in a unique paid opportunity. Our apprentices learn on the job through hands-on experience in directing, stage management, lighting and design on West End and major UK productions.

As an apprentice you will learn from the best, building job specific skills and general life skills in a six week placement. So far, we’ve placed 28 apprentices throughout the West End & UK theatres.


The Apprentice Scheme is back for 2020!

Applications are now CLOSED. For more information on our current placements, please see our News page.

Watch this space and sign up to our newsletter (via the form in the footer) for the very latest on upcoming opportunities.


cyberscene

cyberscene

Cookies is an award-winning play which was commissioned as part of Masterclass' award-winning Cyberscene Project; created in partnership with children’s charity Kidscape and generously funded by The Pureland Foundation. Cookies is available to stream online, and is accompanied by award-winning extensive Key Stage 4 & 5 Level Drama Educational Resources to align with the AQA Drama GCSE and A Level Specifications.

Inspired by the true, heartfelt online stories of students, Cookies follows seven teenagers dealing with the effects of sexting, radicalisation, cyber bullying and their digital world…

For further information on Cookies and our extensive educational resources, please click the links below.

Cookies
A new play by Emily Jenkins
Directed by Anna Ledwich

Sosa, a tough, gay, streetwise Londoner finds solace in the tunes of her favourite rap artist, but her online world comes crashing down when she finally meets her idol.

Eva, an aspiring vlogger, splits with avid gamer Simon and is forced to deal with the devastating effects of sexting and repetitive online abuse.

Salena, infatuated with pop star Zayn Malik, starts an online friendship with another faceless superfan. As a result of their conversations the young Muslim woman begins to grapple with her faith and is persuaded to make a long journey to an unknown fate.

Written by Award-winning playwright Emily Jenkins and directed by Olivier Award nominee Anna Ledwich, Cookies takes us on an astonishing digital journey which promises to redefine how we perceive our online world.

To purchase a copy of the play text, published by Samuel French, click here.















If you or someone you know is experiencing cyber bullying and you would like some additional support, please visit our partner Kidscape’s website for further guidance.


 
 



Previous Community Projects
Masterclass' previous community projects include The Bravo 22 Company, a pioneering theatre recovery project for wounded, injured and sick Service personnel created in partnership with the Royal British Legion and the Play Project which supported children and young adults at Great Ormond Street Hospital School and Richard House Hospice.

TheatreCraft

TheatreCraft

TheatreCraft is the UK’s largest free careers fair for young people looking for an off-stage career in theatre. As well as a one-day event in November, they host theatre career workshops around the country throughout the year.

Want to work in theatre, but not as an actor? TheatreCraft is for you!

TheatreCraft is a free, all-day event open to anyone aged 16-30. At TheatreCraft, you can:

  • Take part in workshops in West End theatres led by top industry professionals - see below for details!
  • Explore a vibrant marketplace packed with stalls from over 60 leading UK theatres, companies and education providers.
  • Make connections and network with other young people starting their theatre careers
Workshops are a great way to gain insight into a range of off-stage theatre careers, including:

Stage Management | Producing | Sound | Set Design | Casting | Props | Directing | Theatre Management | Playwriting | Make-up | Costume | Wigs | Marketing and PR | Lighting | Prosthetics | Dramaturgy

TheatreCraft also provides you with the latest job opportunities, exclusive ticket offers and much more!

For more info, please visit the TheatreCraft Website.

TheatreCraft was created by Masterclass in 2003 and is now run in partnership with the Society of London Theatre, the Royal Opera House, and Mousetrap Theatre Projects.


Photos by Ali Wright, Charles Michael Duke and Ewa Ferdynus

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