Join the team

Blast Youth Theatre Assistant Director (Grays)

Closing date to apply: Thursday 22 October at midday 

We are looking for an energetic and proactive freelance Youth Theatre Assistant Director to join our BLAST Youth Theatre team and support 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 Assistant Director will support the Youth Theatre Director in 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.

  • 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: 

    £35 per hour x 1.5 hours x 9 weeks = £472.50

    Training session: £50

    Additional meeting and evaluation time: 

    4 hours @ £18 per hour = £72

    Total fee: £594.50

  • Essential:

    • Experience of leading or assisting on participatory drama projects with children and young people.

    • Experience of working collaboratively within a creative team to create theatre with young people.

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

    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.

  • ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 

    • Support & assist the Youth Theatre Director to deliver high-quality drama sessions in line with the BLAST Youth Theatre’s aims & objectives.

    • Support the Youth Theatre Director to provide pastoral care to all BLAST members and to inform Elevator Arts of any potential issues.

    • Liaise & collaborate with other members of the Creative Team, as appropriate, during project planning & delivery.

    • Support the Youth Theatre Director & creative team to deliver productions/ performances & sharings.

    • Deputise for the Youth Theatre Director and provide cover in their absence where appropriate.

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

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

    • Comply with risk assessments Engage fully in the evaluation process.

    • Adhere to Elevator Arts’ Child Protection & Safeguarding policies

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

Read more about BLAST Youth Theatre