Nottingham Playhouse has officially begun its search for the creative minds who will bring a brand new Cinderella production to life for Christmas 2026. The theatre is inviting applications for the key roles of Director, Writer, and Composer to helm the original festive show in its Neville Studio.
An Open Door for Regional Talent
The venue is running an open recruitment process for the sixth consecutive year, actively seeking to connect with fresh talent from across the East Midlands and beyond. This strategy is designed to remove traditional industry barriers and discover new creative voices.
Artistic Director Adam Penford emphasised the success of this approach, stating: “This is our sixth year of recruiting the Director, Writer and Composer for our Neville Studio Christmas show via an open call out, and it always yields impressive results. Each year we are bowled over by the level of talent displayed.” He added that the process offers local theatre makers a vital chance to introduce the Playhouse to their work.
A Launchpad for New Careers
The production is specifically crafted as a 50-minute stage play for young children aged three to eight. Following its run at the Playhouse, the show will tour regional schools, libraries, and community venues.
In a significant career opportunity, the show’s Designer will be selected through the Playhouse Prize in partnership with Nottingham Trent University. This collaboration will provide a BA (Hons) Design for Theatre and Live Performance student with their first professional credit upon graduation.
Commitment to Sustainability and Accessibility
Aligning with the Theatre Green Book's 'Baseline' standards for a fifth year, the production will have a strong environmental focus. The set and costume design must ensure at least 50% of materials have had a previous life, and 65% are destined for reuse or recycling after the show closes.
Accessibility remains a core pillar. The show will feature innovative 'Creative Captioning' to support children with auditory processing needs or hearing impairments. This method uses on-screen visual imagery to highlight story beats and will sit alongside traditional BSL-interpreted and relaxed performances.
The announcement comes after the praised 2025 production of The Little Mermaid. Penford noted: “The Little Mermaid this year has been a wonderful example... We can’t wait to see what enchantment can be created with Cinderella.”
Submission deadlines for the Director, Writer, and Composer roles are in January and February 2026. Full details and application guidelines are available on the Nottingham Playhouse website.
