Ignition 2026
IGNITION RETURNS
Ignition is Frantic Assembly's FREE nationwide talent development programme for young people aged 16 - 24. AND YOU ARE INVITED!
Working with 13 regional partners, Ignition sets out to find people with the potential to work in the Arts, opening doors and making them feel their presence is welcome.
No experience is necessary, and we particularly look for young people who have little or no previous involvement with theatre or the arts.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Throughout September and October, we travel across the UK to deliver Trial workshops. Visiting theatre and non-theatre spaces, these workshops are created for young people with little or no experience of theatre, who face barriers accessing the Arts, and may never have considered a pathway in the industry possible. Ignition tells them they can be part of it and that their voice is not only welcome, but needed. The programme culminates in five days of training and devising with Frantic, in London, producing original shows for a public audience.
WHAT IS A TRIAL?
A workshop to further understand and explore Frantic’s distinct approach to devising theatre.
WHAT IS THE INTENSIVE?
Selected from the trials, 24 participants will join each other for a week in London. Guided by Frantic Assembly, they will create two original performances for a public audience.
All aspects of the Intensive (travel to London, accommodation, and food) are paid for by Frantic Assembly, thereby removing financial barriers to participation.
For those that take part in the Ignition intensive, we offer a year-round access programme that continues to develop, mentor, and signpost training and career opportunities with Frantic Assembly and their partners, throughout the UK.
SIGN-UPS OPEN MON 10 AUG, 9AM
TRIAL VENUES AND DATES
SATURDAY 12 SEPTEMBER – Birmingham Hippodrome, Birmingham
MONDAY 14 SEPTEMBER - Taliesin Arts Centre, Swansea
THURSDAY 17 SEPTEMBER - Hackney Empire, London
SATURDAY 19 SEPTEMBER – Bristol Old Vic, Bristol
SUNDAY 20 SEPTEMBER - Lyric Belfast, Belfast
FRIDAY 25 September - Collective Acting Studio, London
SATURDAY 26 SEPTEMBER – National Theatre Scotland, Glasgow
SATURDAY 26 September - Liverpool Everyman, Liverpool
THURSDAY 1 OCTOBER – Leicester Curve, Leicester
SATURDAY 3 OCTOBER - Mercury Theatre, Colchester
SATURDAY 3 OCTOBER - MAST, Southampton
SATURDAY 10 OCTOBER – Sheffield Theatre, Sheffield
INTENSIVE WEEK
SATURDAY 24 - SATURDAY 30 OCTOBER - LAMDA, London