SPRINGBOARD is our free training programme that aims to find, shape, inspire, champion and sustain the next generation of performers from underrepresented backgrounds.
This groundbreaking programme is a performance pathway into employment designed specifically to support young people aged 18-25yrs who live in West London, have zero to little formal drama training and are currently underrepresented in theatre.
Each year, 10 new trainees are enrolled in the programme, benefitting from a bursary that will support them while they take part in a wide range of development initiatives including performances, workshops, masterclasses, artist development and opportunities both on and off the stage.
Trainees receive hundreds of engagement opportunities over their attachment to the Lyric. They learn from leading industry practitioners in masterclasses led by Main House directors; Lyric Artistic Associates Nina Steiger, Tinuke Craig, Tanika Gupta, Philip McMahon and Good Teeth; and the Lyric’s Associate Director Nicholai La Barrie and Artistic Director Rachel O’Riordan.
Second year trainees: Rima Georges, Kabira Imona, Isaiah James-Mitchell, Bethany Monk-Lane, Joshua Ogbue, and Behkam Salehani.
First year trainees: Aneeza Ahmed, Lumumba Diessa, Cameron Goodchild, Jade Khan, Samuel Maldwyn Glyde Rees, Áine McNamara, Zamir Mesiti, Ema Pasic, Jessica Rose Saunders, and Michelle San Reis
Applications for 2025 are now closed.
SPRINGBOARD is kindly supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, The Emmanuel Kaye Foundation and The John Lyon’ s Charity.
Photos by Helen Murray.
WATCH our SPRINGBOARD trainees in Evolution: Films
Showcasing extracts from The Government Inspector by Nikolai Gogol, Evolution: Films 2024 brings together the Lyric’s SPRINGBOARD trainees and young people from the Roundhouse’s Behind The Lens programme to create modern day workings of this classic drama. Photography direction from Bani Mendy and facilitating direction and writing from Hannah Calascione.