Belgrade Ensemble 26/27

Each year, we learn, adapt and evolve. This year, we are shifting the focus of our free 9-month training programme to offer deep skill development, collaborative theatre-making, and a direct pipeline into a major, flagship professional production on our main stage.

The Belgrade Ensemble is a training opportunity for early-career performers looking to develop their craft alongside our creative leadership team. Participants will train together as an ensemble and work on two major performance milestones, culminating in a role within the company ensemble for the Belgrade’s flagship B1 production of Nanny of the Maroons.

A Culturally Specific Focus for Year 4

Theatre has the power to unearth history and breathe life into vital, untold stories. This year’s flagship production, Nanny of the Maroons, is set predominately in Jamaica and follows the incredible legacy of the legendary Maroon leader.

To tell this story with the historical authenticity, cultural specificity, and creative integrity it demands, we are recruiting an all-Black, female/non-binary-identifying ensemble. In alignment with the Equality Act 2010 Genuine Occupational Requirement (GOR), this opportunity is open specifically to performers of Black African and Caribbean diaspora heritage who identify or present as female (inclusive of trans and non-binary identities).

We are excited to be able to provide dedicated support in a professional, and collaborative space where this ensemble can explore these vital histories and bring them to life on our main stage.

What the Programme Offers

We are looking to work with local artists from Coventry and the Midlands. The training programme is completely free for participants and offers the following development opportunities:

• Technical skill development in performance craft (acting, singing, movement),
• Creating your own work: Develop and perform a cohort-led show in our B2 space,
• Professional Main-Stage Experience: Form the company ensemble for Nanny of the Maroons in our B1 space,
• Training and mentoring from the Artistic Director & Associate Director,
• Skill-specific masterclasses from a range of visiting industry practitioners and directors,
• Professional integration: Learn, experience, and be part of a professional tech week and rehearsal room in a supported environment.

Schedule

The Belgrade Ensemble will run from October 2026 – July 2027. Regular rehearsals will take place at the Belgrade Theatre on Tuesday evenings (6:30pm – 9:30pm), alongside intensive rehearsal blocks during Term 2 and Term 3.

• Term 1 (Skill Development): 13 October – 15 December 2026,
• Term 2 (Ensemble B2 Show): 5 January – 30 March 2027 (Includes intensive periods for the cohort-created show),
• Term 3 (Flagship Production – Nanny of the Maroons): 6 April – 13 July 2027(Includes professional rehearsal periods and production show run)

Belgrade Ensemble participants will need to commit to attending weekly rehearsals, a full intensive week (8-13 March, 10am-10pm) and Nanny of the Maroons rehearsals and performances (11 May-3 July).

Please find detailed Ensemble Schedule available as a download here.

Financial Support

We acknowledge that the commitment to the Nanny of the Maroons production is significant. We will provide a small bursary to cover access and travel expenses to support participants’ engagement throughout the intensive production period in Term 3.

Who Is the Programme For?

To participate in Year 4 of the Belgrade Ensemble, you must be:

• Aged 18+ (We have removed the upper age limit for this cohort—all generations are welcome),
• Of Black African or Caribbean diaspora heritage, identifying or presenting as female (inclusive of trans and non-binary identities),
• Living in Coventry or the Midlands (Within a 25-mile radius or 30mins travel time from the Belgrade),
• Not currently in formal drama training (e.g., BA Hons in Acting) and have not previously completed formal drama school training,
• Committed to pursuing a career in the arts as a performer, actor, or theatre-maker,
• Eager to deepen your craft across acting, movement, and singing.

How To Apply

Please submit your application via our online form here. To complete your application you will need to provide:

• Online Application Form,
• A CV (you can submit this via the form or by email),
• A self-tape consisting of:

1. A short monologue extract (maximum 1min) that best demonstrates your acting skills,
2. A short song (maximum 1 min) that showcases your vocal ability

You can submit this either via the form or by email.

Alternative Submission: If you prefer, you are welcome to download our offline application form here and submit it via email to communityadmin@belgrade.co.uk. Please ensure your self-tape and CV are attached or linked in the email.

Deadline for Applications: Friday 11 September 2026, 10am.

Guidance For Your Self-Tape

Your self-tape should be a video file (or two clearly labelled files) including:

• The Monologue: Choose an extract from any play or film within your playing age that resonates with you and allows you to showcase your best acting choices,
• The Song: A 1-minute piece—genre of your choice—that best shows off your vocal skillset and musicality.

Please make sure you:

• State your name at the beginning of the video,
• State the title of the material and the name of the writer before you perform,
• Name your file using the format: ‘Firstname_Surname_Selftape’ (e.g., Jane_Doe_Selftape).

Please note: We cannot accept professional showreels in place of a self-tape.

Top tips for making a self-tape:

• Use a smart phone, tablet, or video camera,
• Film in a well-lit, quiet room with a plain background if possible,
• Make sure you re-watch your audio and video quality before submitting,
• Don’t worry about making it “perfect”—we just want to see you and your potential. Relax and have fun with it!

The Audition Process

• Stage 1: Application & Self-Tape: Reviewed by our creative team,
• Stage 2: Live Auditions: Successful applicants will be invited to a live, in-person audition at the Belgrade Theatre on Friday 25 September 2026 or Saturday 26 September 2026.

The live audition will consist of:

• An individual performance of your monologue,
• An individual performance of your song,
• A group movement workshop.

Access

We are committed to making sure we are reducing as much as possible any barriers to D/deaf, Disabled & Neurodiverse artists taking up this opportunity.

If you have any access requirements you’d like to discuss, please contact Emma Worrall at communityadmin@belgrade.co.uk

If we cannot practically fulfil a request, we will be honest about this and work with the participant to find a workable solution.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please refer to the following AGQ sheet if you have any further questions or need any guidance on your application.

Belgrade Ensemble 2026/27 – Frequently Asked Questions