Ignition is Frantic Assembly’s FREE, nationwide talent development programme for young people aged 16-24. Ignition seeks out underrepresented talent in unexpected places.

Ignition is Frantic Assembly’s free, nationwide talent development programme for young people with little or no previous experience of the arts. Established in 2008, this bold and dynamic programme provides a rare opportunity for young artists aged 16–24 from underrepresented and socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds to discover, develop and showcase their creative potential.

The programme was paused in 2024 owing to lack of funding and a major funding campaign was launched. Sufficient funds were raised to bring Ignition back in 2025 but more funding is needed to secure this vital programmes long-term future.

Scott Graham, Artistic Director of Frantic Assembly says, “Ignition sets out to find people with the potential to work in the Arts opening doors and making them feel their presence is welcome. In a cultural climate marked by economic challenges and cuts to creative education, Ignition is more vital than ever. It offers a pathway into the arts for those who may not otherwise access it. We are thrilled to have secured funds for the programme to take place in 2025. This is a great start, but we still have money to raise to make sure Ignition can continue in the future.’

As well as generous donations from the public and industry figures, Frantic Assembly have secured funding from Trusts and Foundations, with grants received so far from: The Garfield Weston Foundation, The Theatre Development Trust, The D’Oyly Carte Charitable Foundation, The Garrick Trust, The Fidelio Charitable Trust and The Spears-Stutz Charitable Trust

Since 2008, we have scoured the UK for young people with the potential to be the next generation of artists and creative voices, recognising the lack of arts provision and access young people experience in many parts of the country and the lack of young people from those areas finding the arts as a viable vocation.

Ignition is free for all participants, to remove any financial barriers, making it truly accessible to those who may otherwise not be able to afford it. Ignition works. Ignition makes a difference. We could not be prouder of the impact and success Ignition has had in finding and bringing diverse young talent into the industry from areas where others might not be looking.

Without access to a theatre company in my home town, and government grants to subsidise my drama training, my dream to act would have remained just that. It’s harder than ever for people with no connections to the industry, and limited resources to enter what can sometimes seem like an exclusive club.

It’s essential we nurture voices from all across our society to bring their stories and talents together to enrich the nation’s culture. Frantic Assembly’s Ignition is a vital initiative helping to achieve this, and offering a pathway to a future in the performing arts for young, diverse talent across the country.

- Andrew Lincoln

Ignition has engaged with over 10,000 young people in the last 15 years and has successfully provided an introduction and on-going support to numerous careers in theatre and the arts. 55% of graduates since 2008 are working in theatre and television, on stage and screen, working as performers, directors, writers, composers, choreographers, designers and many more roles within the creative industries. Many more of them have taken the importance of creative thinking, work ethic and generous collaboration and applied it to their world beyond the Arts. They continually demonstrate that Ignition works. Their presence and influence continues to grow. They inspire other young people from similar backgrounds to aspire, get involved, be seen, be heard.

This is why we are fighting to save the long term future of Ignition.

The programme costs £75,000 a year to run.

Please consider making a donation to keep Ignition alight.

We welcome all donations, of any amount. Below are some ideas of how your money can help support young people to realise their potential through Ignition:

£1500 enables one young person to participate in the week long Ignition intensive in London. (This covers all of their training, pastoral support, travel, food and accommodation. They work for a week with a professional director and creative team to produce a performance for a public audience).

£500 helps support our year round graduates' talent development programme.

£100 enables a young person to attend a workshop day with a guest industry expert (including travel costs from their home base).

£30 enables a young person who has little or no access to the arts to take part in a free Ignition taster workshop in their home region

If you are interested in a making a major donation to support Ignition please contact Kerry Whelan, Executive Director at [email protected]

"Although I am from a proudly working class background, I enjoyed state privilege as I was growing up. Arts provision in my comprehensive school, a well-funded FE course, a full grant to go to drama school, and a benefits system that aided me as I found my feet as a graduate actor. I am painfully aware that this support for young people like me has been eroded away to almost nothing in the interim years, and we are in danger of creating a culture made up entirely of people from wealthy backgrounds. Frantic Assembly’s Ignition aims to fill the gaps left by our broken system and to support young people who might otherwise struggle to access the arts in an exciting and practical way. I am proud to support their work."

Julie Hesmondhalgh

Ignition graduate Felipe Pacheco (2017), talks about the impact of Ignition on his career and the wider effect of the programme.

How does it work?

Throughout the Autumn we travel across the UK to deliver FREE Taster and Trial workshops in association with 13 regional partners. These high energy workshops are facilitated for young people who face barriers to accessing the arts; we visit both theatre and non-theatre spaces to let young people know that the arts can be for them.

From the Trial workshops we select 24 young people to join us for an Intensive week during the October Half Term to devise TWO original performances that are performed to a public audience at Brixton House Theatre. All aspects of the Intensive are paid for by Frantic Assembly, thereby removing financial barriers to participation.

Ignition also includes a year-round access programme which continues to train, mentor and signpost training and career opportunities both with Frantic Assembly and our partners throughout the UK.

The film below documents last year's Ignition Intensive week. Filmed and edited by Adi Detemo, Ignition graduate 2022.