Join the team

Blast Youth Theatre Director (Grays)

Closing date to apply: Thursday 22 October at midday 

We are looking for an energetic freelance Youth Theatre Director to join our BLAST Youth Theatre team and lead the pilot delivery of BLAST Youth Theatre in Grays, Thurrock.

BLAST Youth Theatre is for children aged 8–12 who have English as an additional language. In partnership with Welcome to the UK, we run groups in Southend and at the Towngate Theatre in Basildon, and are now expanding the pilot programme into Grays.

BLAST Youth Theatre is a fun, welcoming and inclusive theatre group for children who love being creative, making new friends and building confidence. Working with professional theatre artists, young people explore drama, storytelling, movement and performance, developing their imagination and communication skills in a supportive environment where everyone is encouraged to be themselves.

The BLAST Youth Theatre Director will lead the expansion of BLAST into a new community in Grays, delivering high-quality drama workshops at the Welcome to the UK hub. Sessions will take place weekly over the Spring term, with the pilot providing an opportunity to explore the potential for a regular youth theatre session for children in Grays in the future.

The 9-week project will explore themes of home, place and connection, reflecting on what it is like for young people to live in Thurrock. Through drama and creative activities, participants will develop a performance to share with family, friends and the wider Welcome to the UK community at a celebratory sharing event at the hub at the end of the project.

This role is integral to creating a supportive, engaging and inclusive environment for participants, while maintaining the project's artistic and educational goals.

This project is supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.

HOW TO APPLY

We welcome & encourage applications from people under represented within our sector including those with lived experience of the issues affecting the communities we work with.

To apply send a covering letter (max 500 words) or video (max 2 mins) plus CV & contact details of two referees to alison@elevatorarts.co.uk

Please specify which days of the week you would be available to deliver sessions in your application (Mon, Tues or Thurs).

Download the full Job Description

Closing date to apply: Thursday 22 October at midday  

Interviews will take place online on Monday 2 November and Thursday 5 November, please let us know if there are any dates/ times you will not be available.

This role is subject to Enhanced DBS check.  As a freelancer you will be responsible for your own tax & NI.

If you require any further information, have specific access needs or would like an informal chat about the role please contact alison@elevatorarts.co.uk

  • Contract start date: 13 November 2026

    Planning and preparation: November–December 2026, including a training day (Thursday 19 November or Monday 23 November, 1–3pm)

    Session delivery:
    W/C 11 January 2027 to W/E 19 March 2027

    Sessions will be either on a Monday, Tuesday or Thursday at 4:30pm–6pm, depending on the availability of the freelancers.

    In your application, please specify your availability for those days.

    Evaluation: April 2027

  • Sessions will take place at:

    Welcome to the UK hub

    Unit 18, Shopping Centre

    Grays

    RM17 6QE

  • Session delivery time including planning and preparation: 

    £50 per hour x 1.5 hours x 9 weeks = £675

    Training session: £50 

    Additional meeting and evaluation time: 

    4 hours @ £18 per hour = £72

    Total fee: £797

  • Essential:

    • A minimum of 2 years’ experience leading drama workshops with children and young people.

    • Knowledge and experience of implementing Child Protection & Safeguarding policies and procedures.

    Desirable:

    • Thurrock-based or a connection to and understanding of the community in Grays.

    • Experience of working on creative projects with refugee and migrant communities.

    • Experience of working with children who have English as an additional language and/or face multiple barriers to social inclusion.

    • Recent Child Protection and Safeguarding training.

    This role is subject to Enhanced DBS check.  As a freelancer you will be responsible for your own tax & NI.

    • Lead on the planning and delivery of high-quality drama sessions in line with BLAST Youth Theatre’s aims and objectives.

    • Provide pastoral care to all BLAST members and inform Elevator Arts of any potential issues.

    • Collaborate with the Youth Theatre Assistant Director in the planning and delivery of sessions.

    • Liaise and collaborate with the BLAST Youth Theatre Artistic Director and other members of the Creative Team, as appropriate, during project planning and delivery.

    • Lead and support the Creative Team to deliver productions, performances and sharings.

    • Attend meetings as appropriate with Elevator Arts and project partners.

    • Liaise with the Youth Theatre Assistant Director and Elevator Arts to ensure the smooth running of BLAST sessions and inform them of any potential issues.

    • Comply with risk assessments.

    • Engage fully in the evaluation process.

    • Adhere to Elevator Arts’ Child Protection & Safeguarding policies.

Read more about BLAST Youth Theatre