Working closely with the local community, the Grand Opera House promotes an outstanding theatre education programme, reaching out to schools, community groups and youth organisations to deliver participatory programmes, learning projects and large scale education initiatives.
From performance masterclasses to a thriving youth theatre programme, the Grand Opera House is a passionate participant in the life of our community, working hard to provide access to the arts for everyone in Northern Ireland.
For further information on education initiatives, or to find out more about taking part, please contact Aine Dolan, Community and Education Manager, on 028 9024 0411 or email adolan@goh.co.uk.
Suitable for young people aged 6 - 18, the Grand Opera House Youth Theatre is one of Northern Ireland's leading youth theatre initiatives. Facilitated by experienced theatre professionals, the Youth Theatre meets each Saturday, combining theatrical games with rehearsals and regular performances.
If you are aged 6 - 18, and want to work with professional theatre practitioners, please contact Aine Dolan, Community and Education Manager, on 028 9024 0411 or email adolan@goh.co.uk.
Stages, the Grand Opera House's innovative work experience programme, is open to young people aged 14 - 18, and aims to provide a period of work placement that will support students in their course of study or further their interest in planning a career in Performing Arts Management.
There are four placements available throughout the year, two in the Autumn Season between October and December and a further two in the Spring Season between January and Easter. The placements will last for four days (Tuesday – Friday) and will be scheduled to coincide with the relevant week allocated in the successful applicant's school calendar.
How to Apply
Places are offered on an application and interview basis. Please download both the information pack and application form, and return completed applications to Suzy Millar, Theatre Secretary, Grand Opera House, Great Victoria Street, Belfast, BT2 7HR.
Due to the number of requests that we receive for work experience, and in order to make the process fair, we ask that you only send in applications during the appropriate timeframe outlined below.
Application Dates
Applicants will be invited to attend a formal interview and placements will be awarded to successful candidates. We recommend that you prepare fully for your interview as this forms part of the learning process for students. We will provide feedback on your interview performance.
If the table below indicates that a particular placement date is closed, this means placements have already been allocated for this period. Please note that we are no longer accepting applications from students seeking work experience prior to 1 April 2013.
Date of Work Placement: October
Applications Open: 1 August
Closing Date for Applications: 5 September
Status: Closed
Date of Work Placement: December
Applications Open: 1 September
Closing Date for Applications: 1 October
Status: Closed
Date of Work Placement: January
Applications Open: 1 October
Closing Date for Applications: 1 November
Status: Closed
Date of Work Placement: April Onwards
Applications Open: 4 January
Closing Date for Applications: 15 February
The Grand Opera House Summer Youth Project is back! This summer, we are staging Annie, culminating in 4 public performances at the Grand Opera House from Thursday 25 – Saturday 27 July 2013.
The project will run from Sunday 14 - Saturday 27 July inclusive and is open to young people aged 10 - 19. (Please note you must be aged 10-19 on Sunday 14 July). Successful participants must be able to attend every day of the project.
Registering for Auditions
Please note that registration for auditions is now closed. Applicants will receive an email with further information about the audition process over the coming days.
What will happen at the Auditions?
At the auditions, you will be taught a song from the show and some choreography. Due to the short timeframe of the project, it is important that participants can learn and retain information in a short period of time. You do not need to prepare anything in advance unless advised otherwise.
Due to the demands of auditioning such large numbers, we cannot accommodate any alternative audition dates other that specified above. You do not need to have any previous acting experience to audition.
Summer Youth Project - Cost
The cost of participation in the project is £140.00 per person, 50% of which is payable as a non-refundable deposit when casting and interviews for the technical crew have been completed.
Summer Youth Project - Bursary Scheme
The Grand Opera House, supported by Belfast Harbour, has a limited number of bursaries available for young people to avail of a subsidised place in the project.
You can apply for a bursary if you are a cast member or a member of the technical crew. If you would like to avail of a bursary, please tick the appropriate box on the registration form. A bursary application form and criteria will be forwarded to you if you are successful in obtaining a place on the project.
If you require any further information about Annie, please email outreach@goh.co.uk or contact Áine Dolan on 028 9024 0411.
Summer Youth Project - Provisional Rehearsal Schedule
Click here to download a Provisional Rehearsal Schedule for the Summer Youth Project 2013 (Subject to Change)