Connections Company alumni making waves in the creative industry

Applications for Nottingham Playhouse’s Connections Company are now open, ahead of the 2027 Connections Festival. The company is the chance for young people aged 13-19 to perform on the main stage, with alumni going on to pursue different creative pathways.

The Connections Festival, which features plays for young people commissioned by the National Theatre, brings together some of the UK’s most exciting writers with the performers of tomorrow. Nottingham Playhouse will host their ninth festival on 13-15 April 2027 and is one of 33 theatres nationally that showcases work by, and for, the next generation of theatre makers.  

Directed by Sarah West, Senior Participation Producer, Nottingham Playhouse’s Connections Company is a free-to-attend group that encourages young people to develop their performance skills, meet likeminded people and hone their craft in a professional and friendly environment. Many alumni from the company go on to drama school, university and careers in the creative industries. Their relationships with the venue extend beyond Connections into other programmes, such as Schools Shakespeare Festival, Youth Board and Summer Schools.  

Noah Xavier, currently studying Acting at LIPA, was a member of the Connections Company for four years and describes the opportunity as the place where they realised they ‘could actually do this as a career’. Being part of the company gave them the chance to continue their development at Nottingham Playhouse through Homegrown Performers and debuted their play Brick as part of AMPLIFY: SEASONS earlier this year.  

Also at drama school is Bea Robinson, who has just started at East 15. A member of the Connections Company for five years, Bea has supported in the rehearsal room and values the relationships that the programme establishes with other departments, gaining knowledge on how they all work collaboratively to create the finished product that they all have ownership of. 

By not charging fees, the company allows young people from all backgrounds to gain experience in a professional venue without facing barriers. Although the focus is on acting, participants are additionally given the opportunity to explore other areas of theatre making throughout the process – from stage management to theatre design. For many, working backstage is not an option to be considered, with Connections providing the opportunity to try new things and develop skills in other areas.  

Alumni Nova Squire currently studies Theatre and Performance Design at LIPA, after trying their hand at both Stage Management and Design during their time at Connections, following support from director Sarah West. Abi Tsoi, who is on the University of Salford’s Media and Performance degree, agrees: ‘Connections is a community that I hadn’t found myself in before, the team are incredibly supportive’.  

Sarah West, Senior Participation Producer and Director of Nottingham Playhouse’s Connections Company, said: 

“Nottingham Playhouse Connections Company is an audition-based free opportunity that I have been running for over seven years. Its purpose is for young people to experience what it is like to create and perform work as part of a theatre company and is a chance to work with professionals in the industry.  

“It has evolved to be a community of like-minded creative people who are interested in a career in theatre, and therefore a place of support and encouragement. Long term members often continue to be a valued part of the Participation team by coming back to Nottingham Playhouse to visit and gain further production experience on all sorts of other programmes and shows.” 

Applications for Nottingham Playhouse’s Connections Company are now open: Nottingham Playhouse Connections Company 2027 – Nottingham Playhouse. Applications will close on Monday 2 November 2026, though may close sooner if all audition slots are full. 

Find out more about Connections on the National Theatre’s website.