“The Young Company has been a beautiful experience. The team at Stratford East put so much time, effort and resource into make this a genuinely caring environment, and we come out as better actors as well.” - Young Company Participant 2025 

The Stratford East Young Company are a group of actors and theatre-makers aged 18-25, primarily from east London*, who are interested in taking the next step towards a career in the arts. As a Young Company member, you’ll have access to alternative professional training, working with professional Directors and theatre makers. You’ll have the opportunity to work in a supportive and inclusive learning environment to nurture and develop your talents.  

APPLICATIONS TO JOIN STRATFORD EAST YOUNG COMPANY 2026 ARE NOW OPEN. 

KEY DATES:  

28 Oct 10am: applications close. 
18 Nov:  We’ll be in touch with everyone by this date to let you know if we’d like to invite you to audition. 
26 Nov, 5pm – 10pm: First round auditions 
29 Nov, 10am – 6pm: Second round auditions 

You will need to be available to attend both auditions if selected. 

Young Company Members will:   

• Take part in weekly workshops to further develop skills in various performance and theatre-making techniques   

• Work collaboratively with like-minded young theatre-makers and performers, sharing skills and forming a supportive company 

• Take part in workshops with industry professionals and start to build a network of industry contacts. 

• Work with a team of industry-leading artists to perform in a large-scale production on Stratford East’s Main Stage. 

Commitment and Key Dates 

The group meet every Wednesday from 6.30pm – 9.30 pm with breaks that follow the academic calendar. All sessions will have BSL interpreters. 

Please click here to see the full dates

How To Apply:  
Please fill in an application form HERE. 

To watch a video of this form in BSL, CLICK HERE. 

Click here for tips on how to create a private/unlisted YouTube video to submit your self-tape. If you create a PRIVATE video – please give permission for getinvolved@stratfordeast.com to access the video. You can also set the video to UNLISTED, which will mean anyone with the link can access the video.  
 
Application in BSL 
You're welcome to apply with a video answering the selection questions using BSL. Please select this option. There are some standard questions that require a written response. If this isn't accessible to you, please get in touch. 
 
Alternative Applications  
If an application form & video is not accessible for you then please contact us to arrange an alternative way of submitting your application.  

 
Due to the large number of applications we receive, we cannot process alternative application methods after 6pm on Tue 21 Oct.   

If you have any questions, please contact Kirstin or Reese at getinvolved@stratfordeast.com

* (Newham, Hackney, Waltham Forest, Tower Hamlets, Greenwich, Redbridge, Barking & Dagenham, Havering)