Breakthrough Traineeship – Production Assistant, Brighton
About Breakthrough
Breakthrough is a 6‑month employability programme designed as a stepping stone to get you workplace experience and all-important employment skills. This short placement gives you insight into a future career in the Creative Industry, supporting your confidence and professionalism in the workplace, and helping you to break through into a career that matters to you!
Read more about Breakthrough here:
The role
The Production Assistant will play a central role in the day-to-day running of Brighton People’s Theatre across all of the company’s work. This is a hands-on production and administration role that will give the post-holder a genuine understanding of how a theatre company organises and delivers its varied programme.
The post-holder will be line managed by Associate Director and work closely with the Access and Support Manager, Producer, Freelance Artists, Freelance Production team and Artistic Director. This role offers an exceptional entry point into producing and production management within a community-rooted arts organisation at a moment of real ambition and growth.
This role will include assisting with:
Admin and Coordination
- Schedule and maintain calendar for programmed activities
- Source and book rehearsal venues
- Coordinate practical arrangements for Storytelling Sessions including venue logistics and partner liaison
- Maintain accurate records to keep the rehearsal process running smoothly
Community Engagement and Casting
- Supporting outreach and open casting sessions for The Museum of Life* (our 2027 production)
- Managing regular communications with participants and auditionees
- Circulate production information to cast and creatives
- Help coordinate access requirements in liaison with the Access and Support Manager
Events and Festival Production
- Provide production and logistical support across Get Together events and community showings
- Support volunteers with the sourcing and management of props and costumes
- Support the Stage Manager with all elements of the development and rehearsal of the Festival show
- Work closely ‘on the ground’ with the Producer, Associate Director, Freelance Artists, Production team and Artistic Director to deliver the full presentation of The Museum of Life at Brighton Festival 2027*
Joint Team Responsibilities
- To embody the BPT Way of Being
- To abide by staff policies
- Actively contribute to the co-creation of and learning of the organisation, sharing ideas and developing collaborative ways of working
- Representing the Company at public events, receptions, etc, where necessary
The role will be based primarily at our central Brighton office at The Old Courthouse, Church Street, Brighton. There will also be a requirement to work from our other delivery sites including Friends Meeting House on Ship Street, ACCA at Sussex University and Moulsecoomb Place on Lewes Road and other venues as required.
*The Museum of Life Production is subject to funding. There will be other productions to be involved with if funding is not secured.
Deadline for applications
The deadline is 11:45pm, on 27 July 2026
You will need to download the job description below and read it carefully, and review the eligibility criteria below to ensure you are able to apply.
You then need to fill out the form below to submit your application.
All of the job descriptions include an “Employers advice” section and we strongly recommend that you tailor your answers to ensure they cover that advice given for the specific role you are applying for.
You can apply for more than one role if you wish to, but you will need to submit separate applications using the same process.
We strongly suggest that you research travel options for the role before applying to ensure travel is feasible.
To be eligible to apply for a Breakthrough traineeship, applicants must:
- Be aged 18-25 on the 28 September 2026
- Have the right to work in the UK
- Available to start work on the 28 September 2026 and available for the duration of the placement (until 28th March 2027)
- Have no or little (less than one month) previous experience of working in an arts, creative or voluntary sector organisation
In addition to the above, applicants should also meet one or more of the following criteria:
- Currently not in employment, education or training (NEET)
- Be disabled and/or Neurodivergent
- Have current or prior mental health issues
- Have experienced racism, homophobic or transgender discrimination
- Be a recent school or college leaver (A level or equivalent)
- Are struggling to find work due to lack of employment or training experience
Please note that this programme is not suitable for those on a degree placement year or an MA programme.
Download the full job description
This contains more information about the role, including advice from the employer.
Breakthrough 2026 Application Form
Contact us
If you are unsure if you are eligible, have any other questions, or need information in a different format, please email our Careers team:
FAQs
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If you have applied for a Breakthrough placement in a previous year and been unsuccessful, then yes you are very welcome to apply again if you meet this years eligibility criteria!
If you have already successfully undertaken a Breakthrough placement before, you won't be eligible to apply again.
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Please do. You will need to submit an application for each role you are interested in and should check that the travel to the workplace is realistic for you before applying.