Early Career Creative Trainee
Spiltmilk Dance Closing date: Mon, 07 Sep 2026
- Part time
- Under £10K
- Apply now
Thu, 30 Jul 2026 "> published -
Job Summary
Job Description
We're offering a paid Early Career Traineeship alongside the
creation and tour of Playlist, a brand new dance, theatre and sketch comedy show touring to rural & community venues across Autumn 2026 & Spring 2027.
This isn't just a work shadowing opportunity. It's a chance to experience the complete journey of making a professional touring production, from the first ideas in the rehearsal room, to performing for audiences across the country.
Over the course of the Traineeship, you'll gain a unique insight into how a small scale touring company develops, produces and delivers new work. You'll shadow development in both community and studio settings, experience how creative ideas evolve through collaboration with specialists, and learn how all the moving parts (producing, marketing, access, production and touring logistics) come together.
We know that many early career artists want to make & tour their own work but rarely get the opportunity to see how it all happens behind the scenes. Funding applications, production planning, community engagement, touring logistics, marketing, venue relationships and life on the road are all things that are often learnt through experience. This traineeship is designed to open that
door.
You'll join us on selected tour dates, gaining first-hand experience of rural & community touring. You'll see what it takes to transform community spaces into performance venues, work alongside our production team, and experience the unique relationship we build with audiences and local communities.
For us, this traineeship is an opportunity to invest in the next generation of artists and broaden our creative network. For the successful Trainee, it's a chance to build practical skills, confidence, professional connections and a deeper understanding of what it takes to create this work.
If you're interested in making performance, passionate about connecting with communities, & excited by the idea of creating work that tours, we'd love to hear from you!
Job Requirements
Someone dynamic, enthusiastic and motivated
A warm and engaging personality
A quick learner, competent in performing complex choreography that mixes gestural
movement with complicated rhythms and structures
Interest in delivering text on stage; scripted and improvised
A keen interest in working in community settings and a desire to learn
Someone interested in making and touring their own work, either soon or in future
We'd love someone who doesn't take themselves too seriously, has a sense of fun and
shares our can-do attitude
Based in the middle of the country (no further North than South Yorkshire or further south than Warwickshire). Our rehearsals will take place in venues across the Midlands on non-consecutive days and so it would not be practical, energy efficient or cost effective for a Trainee outside this area to commit to the project.
Less than 2 years professional performance experience
Someone with some availability from October 2026 to April 2027
Job Responsibilities
PLEASE NOTE: It is NOT mandatory for candidates to have a degree level qualification, as we recognise this pathway is not accessible for everyone. The experience within our team will support and guide the Trainee as appropriate.
DATES
There will be approx 16 rehearsal days in Oct 2026 - March 2027. A working day will be 7 hours, including lunch break. Usually 9.30am to 4.30pm, location and travel dependent.
4 tour dates - Playlist will tour from March 2027 and specific dates will be determined based on the Trainee's availability. Depending on location, these days may include an overnight stay and will involve working up to 10.30pm. Later start times will accommodate later hours.
PAYMENT
£100 per day PLUS travel, accommodation, per diems.
Please note that the Trainee must be self-employed (we can support them with this process if needed) and eligible to work in the UK
Useful Links
Job Overview
- Job Title: Early Career Creative Trainee
- Salary: Under £10K
- Hours: Part time
- Artform: Performing arts
- Role: Creative
- Contract: Contract
- Closing date: Mon, 07 Sep 2026
-
Location:
East MidlandsWest MidlandsYorkshire
How to Apply
Interested applicants should view further information on our website and submit the following to [email protected] with the subject ‘Traineeship Application’
1. A short, written expression of interest (no more than 350 words) including:
Why this opportunity interests you
Why you’re the right person for the role
A bit about your dance/ movement/ performance experience
An indication of availability for rehearsals and performances (see above for dates)
Where you are based
2. A short video (no more than 2 mins) of you telling us your top 3 favourite songs and why. Please note this doesn’t need to be rehearsed, and can just be shot on a phone.
We’re also not judging what your favourites are, we just want to find out a bit more about you, what you’re into and what you get excited about!
Deadline for applications is 23:59 on 07/09/26 . There will be a recruitment workshop on 15/09/26 for invited applicants; this will likely be in East Midlands & travel expenses will be paid
- Contact name: Jo Purseglove
- Contact email: [email protected]
About Spiltmilk Dance
We are
Spiltmilk.
Makers of fun-fuelled, smart, glow giving dance
Proudly playful
Frankly entertaining
Considered and considerate
We tailor-make shows for cosy spaces
And get a kick out of connecting people
We revamp pop culture
And rejoice in the common ground we all share