SPRINGBOARD Application Form 2026

Applications are now OPEN for The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre’s 2026 cohort of SPRINGBOARD trainees.

SPRINGBOARD is our year-long free part-time actor training programme that aims to find, shape, inspire, champion and sustain the next generation of performers from underrepresented backgrounds. It is designed specifically to support 10 young people aged 18-25 who live in West London, have zero to little formal drama training and are currently underrepresented in theatre.

Our 2026 cohort will train with us from January to November 2026. Please see an example schedule from a previous cohort in our FAQs.

Successful applicants are enrolled in the programme, benefitting from a bursary of £200 per month during term time that will support them while they take part in a wide range of development initiatives including an original Studio production, a Studio showcase, weekly actor training, filming actor showreels, industry workshops and masterclasses, artist development mentoring, and training opportunities both on and off the stage. Trainees also receive:

  • Free headshots throughout programme
  • Free rehearsal, self tape, writing and meeting space at the Lyric during and after the programme
  • Invitations to all Lyric Press Nights for our 2026-7 season
  • Free and discounted tickets for London-wide theatre performances
  • Rehearsal observation for every Lyric Main House show, and masterclasses from every Lyric Main House Director in our 2026-7 season
  • The ability to secure a TFL student card which provides a third off travel costs
  • Eligibility for discounted Graduate membership on Spotlight
  • Meetings regarding union representation, freelance tax accountancy, professional networking, and more
  • Direct offers of employment throughout and after SPRINGBOARD with the Lyric

Auditions will take place:

  • First round: Monday 1st December, a slot between 10:00 – 18:00 (group audition)
  • Second round: Thursday 4th December, a slot between 10:00 – 18:00 (individual recall & informal interview)

We will be running audition preparation sessions on Tuesday 21st October 18:30-20:30, and Monday 17th November 18:30-20:30 at the Lyric. These are friendly and practical sessions to give you a taster of the training and practice we use on the course, as well as direct workshopping on your audition, monologue and sight reading skills. This won’t affect your application. Sign up here.

SPRINGBOARD is kindly supported by The John Lyons’ Charity, the Old Possum’s Practical Trust, the Garrick Charitable Trust, and the D’Oyly Carte Charitable Foundation.

What are we looking for?

  • Those who are passionate about acting, performing, and entering the industry professionally
  • Those who have excellent organisational and communication skills
  • Those who are keen to meet and network with industry professionals including Directors, Casting Agents, Playwrights, etc.
  • Those who have not attended a fee-paying school, with the exception of bursary & scholarship recipients
  • We are particularly interested in hearing from those who are a part of the Global Majority, neurodivergent, d/Deaf, disabled, part of the LGBTQ+ community, those from low-income households, those in care, are care leavers, or are carers.

We highly encourage you to apply even if you are unsure about meeting all the above criteria.

In order to apply, you must:

  • Be aged 18-25 by the start of the programme, January 2026
  • Live in West London: Brent, Ealing, Hammersmith and Fulham, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, Kensington and Chelsea, Richmond Upon Thames, Wandsworth and Westminster
  • Have little to no formal actor training
    • Please note we do not accept those who have completed full time training at an accredited drama school, including foundation courses
    • We do accept those who have done young companies, summer/evening courses, and short courses
  • You must be able to attend both rounds of auditions on w/c 1st December
  • You must be able to commit to attending and completing the entire year-long programme

If you feel unsure about your eligibility for this programme, or have any questions, please have a look at our FAQs, or get in touch with Alessandra at participation@lyric.co.uk

Please note: Applications close on Monday 24th November 2025 at 12pm.

SPRINGBOARD 2026 Application Form

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Full name*
We will be responding to your application via this email.
*This needs to be a different phone number from yours. This is someone we can call for you in the case of an emergency. This could be a family member, a friend, a support worker, or someone you live with.
Do you consider yourself to be d/Deaf, disabled, or with a long-term physical or mental health condition?*
Which West London Borough do you live in?*
Are you available and able to complete the entire year-long programme?*

Are you available for a group audition on Monday 1 December?*

We aren’t able to accommodate any other audition date.
Are you available for an individual audition and informal interview on Thursday 4 December?*

We can’t accommodate any other audition date.
We will always support and/or accommodate these to the best of our abilities. This could be, requiring step free access, specific formatting of printed text, a breakout space, etc.
Do you have professional representation?*

Have you trained at an accredited drama school?*

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Applications for this project close on Monday 24 November at 12pm. Thank you for applying!