Deafinitely Theatre has announced the return of its celebrated Deaf Theatre Makers series, introducing a brand-new pilot placement scheme designed to support deaf adults pursuing professional careers within the industry. Scheduled to begin this autumn, the innovative initiative will offer paid placements hosted in direct partnership with leading London and regional theatre organizations. The scheme aims to bridge the gap in the industry, creating accessible opportunities for participants to gain invaluable, hands-on experience across a wide range of essential theatrical departments.
The launch marks the next major stage of development for the Deaf Theatre Makers series following the immense success of its initial rollout last year. While the first iteration offered workshops and industry taster sessions in collaboration with mainstream organizations, this new pilot expands into concrete employment opportunities. Successful applicants will be offered five days of fully paid placements within prominent partnering venues across the country. The high-profile venue partners for this year include Birmingham Rep, Exeter Northcott, Sheffield Theatres, Riverside Studios, and the Royal Ballet and Opera.
Through the scheme, the company hopes to help participants hone their skills, build lasting professional connections, and expose them to sustainable career pathways within the arts sector. Placements will be available across multiple disciplines, including creative development, producing, technical theatre, stage management, marketing, and front of house. The ambitious 2026–2027 pilot placement scheme has been made possible through generous funding from the Soho House Foundation and Arts Council England.
Paula Garfield, Artistic Director of Deafinitely Theatre, expressed her excitement for the expanded program, noting that by connecting deaf talent with major cultural organizations across the UK, they hope to strengthen relationships, challenge systemic barriers, and support a more representative theatre sector. She emphasized that the ultimate vision is a theatre industry where deaf people can thrive at every level. Applications are officially open for deaf creatives looking to take their first steps toward a career in the theatre, with full details and application portals available on the official Deafinitely Theatre website.
