Glyndebourne is set to launch a new apprenticeship program designed to nurture the next generation of technical and production talent within the performing arts. The initiative aims to create a more inclusive and accessible pathway into the industry, offering individuals the opportunity to earn while they learn at one of the world’s most respected opera houses, which employs over 150 staff out of season and more than 500 during its annual Festival.
The apprenticeships present an alternative route to the traditional university education, providing paid, hands-on experience in a real working environment where the apprentices will develop skills directly from industry professionals while building valuable connections to support their future careers. Apprenticeships are paid, starting at £25K.
The closing date for applications is Sunday 23rd November 2025.
Technical Theatre Apprentice
Wigs, Hair, Makeup and Prosthetics Technician (Apprentice)
Assistant Production Manager (Apprentice)
Audio Visual Technician (Apprentice) - Applications open in 2026
This new program presents an opportunity for Glyndebourne to grow and develop its own skilled workforce, whilst apprentices will benefit from the organization’s extensive expertise, knowledge and facilities. The initiative is being introduced under the leadership of Glyndebourne’s recently appointed Technical & Production Director, Sam Garner-Gibbons who brings over a decade of experience in developing and supporting apprenticeships within the arts sector, having previously worked at the Chichester Festival Theatre.
Sam Garner-Gibbons, Technical & Production Director at Glyndebourne says: "Our aim is to open the doors to a broader range of talented individuals who might not otherwise have a pathway into our industry. Apprenticeships allow people to learn directly from experienced professionals while contributing to real productions, which is an incredibly powerful way to build both skill and confidence. Glyndebourne has always been a place of innovation and excellence, and this program will ensure we continue to nurture and invest in the next generation of theatre makers both for us and for the wider sector."
Apprentices will be employed on fixed-term contracts aligned with the length of their chosen course. Working alongside Glyndebourne’s experienced creative teams, they will learn on the job while also receiving structured training from an accredited provider. One day per week will be dedicated to theoretical learning, or coursework typically delivered online, with the remainder of the time spent gaining practical experience within Glyndebourne’s production environment. Each apprenticeship will culminate in a final assessment, carried out by an external assessor at Glyndebourne, ensuring every graduate meets professional industry standards.
The training will be delivered in partnership with Chichester College Group, a leader in apprenticeship provision across the UK. The group supports apprentices in many of the country’s leading theatres, including the Royal Shakespeare Company, Chichester Festival Theatre, and Delfont Mackintosh Theatres in London’s West End. The Wigs, Hair and Make-Up apprentices will attend college-based sessions at Northbrook College, part of the Chichester College Group and located locally in West Sussex.
For Glyndebourne, this program not only helps ensure that craft and technical skills continue to thrive for future generations, but also helps open doors for others to explore career opportunities within the arts sector.
Glyndebourne is a major employer in the local area employing over 150 staff out of season and over 500 staff during its annual Festival.
About Glyndebourne
Glyndebourne - situated on the edge of the South Downs National Park in East Sussex - is recognized internationally as one of the world’s leading opera houses; a reputation that stems from a passion for artistic excellence encapsulated in founder John Christie’s insistence on doing ‘not the best we can do but the best that can be done anywhere’. John and his opera singer wife, Audrey Mildmay, founded the Glyndebourne Festival in 1934. Glyndebourne’s annual summer Festival runs for 15 weeks from May to August presenting more than 70 world-class opera performances in a 1,250-seat opera house. Glyndebourne also produces family open days, art and archive exhibitions, member events, and an autumn season of opera and concerts that puts rising stars centre stage.
Glyndebourne has been a pioneer in reaching new opera audiences, through touring, recordings, and streaming, as well as offering subsidized ticket prices for schools, families, Under-30s and Under-40s. An award-winning Learning & Engagement program is active year-round, staging new work and delivering projects to enhance the understanding and enjoyment of opera among a diverse and broad audience.
Since its founding in 1934, Glyndebourne has remained financially independent. As a registered charity, the company’s work is funded by Box Office income, Members and supporters, with valued Arts Council England support for learning and engagement work.
Credit: © Glyndebourne Productions Ltd. Photo: Graham Carlow