When Budgets Tighten, Actor Development Is Often the First Thing Cut. 20 Stories High Is Making Sure It Isn’t.

As professional development opportunities for actors continue to shrink across the sector, 20 Stories High is launching Actor’s Training Project 2026 – putting six emerging performers’ growth at the centre of its programme, alongside its work with young people.

Across theatre, when budgets are squeezed, participation work tends to survive, but the professional development of the actors delivering it is often the first line to go. 20 Stories High is determined that won’t be the case in its own programme. Actor’s Training Project 2026 is a new, dedicated opportunity for six emerging actors based in Liverpool City Region to spend fourteen weeks developing their craft alongside the company’s creative team – collaborating as an ensemble on a brand-new piece of new writing for young people.

At 20 Stories High, shows are created with and for young people through co-creation. This autumn, the company will begin exploring connections as a potential theme for a future production, working with young people and members of its creative community. Actor’s Training Project 2026 sits alongside that process as a more intensive research and development opportunity: one that treats the actors’ own growth as just as important as the work they help create.

“We know the theatre landscape isn’t equal, and we know actor development is too often what gets squeezed out first,” said Leanne Jones, CEO. “This is us saying: not here. Alongside participation, professional development stays central to what we do – and this opportunity is both meaningful and hopefully really helpful for our six performers.”

Who the programme is for

Actor’s Training Project 2026 is looking for actors who are:

• Excited by working as an ensemble on a brand-new artistic process
• Keen to build on their existing acting skills
• Genuinely interested in new writing for young people
• Able to commit to the full process: two weeks of research and development, plus two one-to-one development sessions outside of this

The opportunity is open to emerging actors who are:

• Aged 18+
• Based in Liverpool City Region

Programme structure

Stage 1: Induction (September-October)

• Get together: the group will meet the team to hear more about the project
• Mentor: each performer will be paired with a professional mentor for one-to-one support and guidance throughout
• Theatre trip and socials: the group will see a show together and spend time together ahead of the project starting

Stage 2: Creative development through an R&D process (November-December)

The research and development (R&D) phase is a creative workshop process in which Director Ameera Conrad, Writer Billie Collins, and the collective of performers will test out ideas, explore themes and develop characters before a formal script is created.

• Week 1 (9-13 November): Focused on acting skills and techniques, with the theme introduced lightly throughout the week.
• Week 2 (30 November-4 December): A deeper exploration of the theme, building on the acting and ensemble skills developed in week one. Writer Billie will introduce elements of new writing to work on in the space. The week culminates in a sharing of the group’s creative discoveries with an invited audience of 20 Stories High young people, creative community members, and a small group of industry professionals.

Stage 3: Legacy (December/January)

Each performer will leave the programme with an individual professional development plan, created with the support of their mentor, setting out next steps for the year(s) ahead.

Training and development

Training sessions are designed to build both individual acting and performance skills, and skills as part of an ensemble. Mentoring sessions focus on the performer’s wider professional development.

Creative and performance skills sessions may include:

• Empowering your voice
• Working with text (new and pre-existing)
• Finding strength in your body
• Creating an ensemble
• Building a character
• Improvisation

Mentoring sessions may cover:

• Approaching agents
• Self-taping
• Developing industry contacts
• Communicating effectively with professionals

This dedicated investment in training and mentoring isn’t an add-on to Actor’s Training Project 2026 – it’s built into the structure from induction through to legacy planning, ensuring that professional development remains a core, protected part of the programme rather than an afterthought.

How to apply

Deadline: Monday 21st September 2026, 12pm

We’ll contact all applicants during the week commencing 28 September 2026, regardless of the outcome.

If you have questions or would like to chat about the opportunity, contact Leonisha Barley at Leonisha@20storieshigh.org.uk.

Alternative versions of the application pack are available, including audio, large print, dyslexia-friendly and screen reader compatible formats. Click here for more info & download links.