BOP Backstage Trainees (BBT) is a free two year training programme for up to six Deaf, Disabled and/or Neurodivergent people with a passion for working backstage (including roles like stage manager, lighting designer, costume maker, sound technician, carpenter and many more).

BOP Backstage Trainees is part of BOPs Cue Backstage project, which aims to make backstage and offstage roles more accessible for D/deaf, Disabled and/or Neurodivergent people.

The BOP Backstage Trainees will take part in: 

• Workshops to learn skills in a range of backstage and offstage roles.
• Individual mentoring to set goals for their backstage/offstage journey.
• Active reflection on their learning via video diaries/blogs etc.
• Creating their own access statement with support from BOP.
• Working backstage on other BOP projects.
• Multiple placements with various types of arts organisations across Scotland (producing venues, receiving venues, touring companies etc.). 

This opportunity is open to people aged 18 or over, who are interested in working backstage. Maybe you have no previous experience, loads of experience, are eager to change to a backstage role, or you have been working backstage for a while and are adjusting to new barriers.

The selection process is for up to six artists, and they hope to reflect a breadth of roles and diversity of lived experience. The first year will include an initial training week in August 2026, followed by monthly workshops, as well as working on a BOP Young Artists production in March 2027.

Activity in the second year will be more spread-out, focussing on 1-to-1 mentoring and up to three work placements. With funding from The Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, they are able to make this opportunity free to take part.

Find out full information at https://www.boptheatre.co.uk/bop-backstage-trainees/. If you have any questions at all, please contact Robin (Project Co-ordinator) via cuebackstage@boptheatre.co.uk.