SIGN UP TO BECOME PART OF THE THEATRE ON THE STEPS COMPANY
There are lots of opportunities coming up in 2026 to take part on and off stage at Theatre on the Steps.
From our monthly performing arts groups to auditioning for a show or from signing up to support backstage to showing creative flair in the costume department, have a look below at our current opportunities.
IT'S ALWAYS FREE TO TAKE PART IN OUR COMMUNITY SHOWS - we just ask for your dedication and enthusiasm
UPCOMING OPEN COMMUNITY COMPANY AUDITIONS
CURRENT OPPORTUNITIES - ROBIN HOOD PANTOMIME & NATIONAL THEATRE CONNECTIONS PLAY
ROBIN HOOD - Pantomime 2026-27
SHOW DATES AND TIMES - JANUARY 2027
- WEEK ONE: Saturday 9th (1pm & 5.30pm), Sunday 10th (11am & 4pm)
- WEEK TWO: Friday 15th (7pm), Saturday 16th (1pm, 5.30pm), Sunday 17th (4pm)
- WEEK THREE: Saturday 23rd (1pm, 5.30pm), Sunday 24th (11am & 4pm)
- WEEK FOUR: Thursday 28th (7pm), Friday 29th (7pm), Saturday 30th (2pm & 7pm)
We know that being involved in a panto can be a big commitment, especially across the whole run of performances. To make things more manageable, we offer the option of split/double casting, where two people share a role and split the performance dates between them. You can tell us your preferences on our audition form.
AUDITIONS
THURSDAY 22nd OCTOBER 2026, 7pm, at Theatre on the Steps
To express your interest in auditioning please complete this form https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/553KPPX
At the auditions we will workshop multiple sections of the script which will be handed out on the night, everyone will get the opportunity to play multiple characters. We will also do some group singing and dancing, which you do not need to prepare in advance for. If you are auditioning for a leading role that sings you will need to sing a solo audition of a verse and a chorus of a song of your choice. We recommend you find a youtube backing track and work with that - we can play it for you.
REHEARSALS
Rehearsals will take place on Mondays and Thursdays, November 2026 - January 2027
You will be expected to attend all rehearsals as you are called on the Schedule. You can tell us your availability on the audition form.
Final rehearsals and tech and dress rehearsals will be on: Sunday 27th December (11am-4pm), Monday 28th December (7pm-9.30pm), Saturday 2nd January (11am-4pm), Monday 4th January (7pm - 9.30pm), Thursday 7th January (7pm - 9.30pm), Friday 8th January (7pm-9.30pm) - note Thursday 7th and Firday 8th will be full tech/dress for each double/split cast, which cast perform at each date will be agreed in advance.
We will not rehearse on Thursday 24th December or Thursday 31st December.
CASTING
Principal, supporting and chorus roles are for adults and young people aged 13 and over (13 years old as of 9th January 2027).
Only younger people/children who are part of the Theatre on the Steps Youth Theatre Advancing company may audition for a role in the chorus.
The PRINCIPAL CAST includes the following characters:
ROBIN HOOD - The eponymous hero! Dashing and handsome from head to tights!
LITTLE JOHN - Robin Hood’s right hand man and member of the Merry Men.
ALAN-A-DALE - Minstrel and member of the Merry Men.
THE SHERIFF OF NOTTINGHAM - The villain. Greasy and greedy with a plan to rule England.
SCRATCH-IT - One of the Sheriff’s hapless minions. Prone to itching.
SNIFF - The other one of the Sheriff’s hapless minions. Suffers with sinus problems.
THE SHERWOOD SPRITE - A kind spirit of the forest.
SILLY BILLY SCARLETT - Son of Nanny (The Dame). A lovable comic keen to join the Merry Men.
MAID MARIAN - Daughter of King Richard. Beautiful with a feisty side.
NANNY FLAPJACK - The Dame. Nanny and schoolmistress extraordinaire.
FRIAR TUCK - A bumbling cleric.
KING RICHARD THE LIONHEART - The King of England.
OTHER INFORMATION AND QUESTIONS
It is FREE to take part in our Pantomime.
To take part in our Pantomime every member of our company must agree to abide by our company behaviour policy and to uphold our safeguarding policy.
If you have any questions please email nikki@theatreonthesteps.co.uk
NATIONAL THEATRE CONNECTIONS 2027
Theatre on the Steps, Bridgnorth
Calling young performers aged 13 - 19
Do you love acting, enjoy working as part of a team or want to challenge yourself with something new?
Join Theatre on the Steps for National Theatre Connections 2027 - an exciting national youth theatre programme bringing together young people and theatre companies to perform new plays written for young performers.
This year, we’ll be performing the play Beans on Toast. More info on the play below.
OPEN AUDITIONS
Tuesday 10th November 2026, 6pm - 8pm, Theatre on the Steps, Bridgnorth
Some acting experience is preferred. You don’t need to be a professional performer.
You don’t need to prepare anything for the audition - just bring your enthusiasm, curiosity and willingness to work with others.
We will also share more about the process, what rehearsals will look like and tell you about the play at the auditions.
THE COMMITMENT
- Weekly rehearsals: Tuesdays, 6pm - 8pm, November 2026 to March 2027
- A rehearsal schedule will be released
- Technical rehearsal: Saturday 27 February 2027, 2.30pm - 8pm
- Technical and dress run: Thursday 4th March & Friday 5 March 2027, evenings
- Home performance: Saturday 6 March 2027
- Improvement rehearsals for regional performances - Tuesdays 6 - 8pm in March
- Regional performance: Aberystwyth Arts Centre, between 2 - 4 April 2027 final date TBC
You must be available for the audition and all the dates listed above. If the production is selected for the National Theatre Connections Festival in London, you must also be available to take part. This is scheduled for June 2027 - once the date has been confirmed we will let you know.
COST
£14 per rehearsal session. There is no audition fee, show fee(s) or costume fees, but additional travel costs may apply for the regional performance if a young persons family is unable to take them.
ABOUT BEANS ON TOAST
Beans on Toast follows Abe, Bea and Che as they are orphaned and adopted by a family with three similar age kids. Both sets of children struggle to adapt to their new situation and try to find their way through with the help of food, games, two very lively twins next door and the alphabet!
WHAT IS NATIONAL THEATRE CONNECTIONS?
National Theatre Connections is the National Theatre’s annual celebration of young people making theatre. Each year, the National Theatre commissions a collection of exciting new plays written specifically for young performers by leading and emerging playwrights. Youth theatres and schools from across the UK apply to bring these plays to life, developing their skills, creativity and confidence along the way. We are Thrilled Theatre on the Steps has been selected to take part in 2027.
More than just putting on a show, Connections gives young people the chance to be part of something bigger: collaborating with a company, sharing their work with an audience and experiencing the journey from rehearsal room to professional theatre stage. Each company performs at its home venue, when a National Theatre Director will attend and give feedback. After a few more rehearsals implementing the feedback groups then take part in a festival at a partner theatre - our partner theatre is Aberystwyth Arts Centre.
Connections is not explicitly a competition. It is an opportunity to celebrate the imagination, ambition and talent of young people making theatre across the country. A selection of productions are also invited to perform at the National Theatre’s annual festival in London, bringing together young performers from across the UK to share their work on a national stage.
READY TO JOIN US?
Apply online at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/CVGBZCF
Come and be part of something creative, challenging and unforgettable. We’d love to see you there!
SUPPORT OUR SHOWS
We're looking for backstage support for this show, if you fancy making props and scenery, support costume fittings or would like to become a stage hand then pop Nikki an email on nikki@theatreonthesteps.co.uk
JOIN THE STEPPERS
Do you love ACTING, DANCING OR TECHNICAL THEATRE? Would you like to join an informal and social group for adults? Join our fun, free Adult Groups THE STEPPERS.
There are no auditions to join any Steppers group but we do ensure that new members are likeminded and work well with other members of the group. To sign up or ask questions please email Nikki at nikki@theatreonthesteps.co.uk This group is free to attend.
ACTING
The Acting group meet monthly to share and create theatre. Explore the craft of acting through games, exercises and rehearsals with no pressure to perform. Our monthly Adult Acting Group is the perfect way to develop new skills or polish up old ones in a safe environment. At The Steppers: ACT you will exercise your creativity, build your confidence, meet like-minded friends and have lots of fun! This will include: Script work, Improvisation, Characterisation, Technique & Practitioners, Vocal Work, Divising , Storytelling and much more!
Steppers ACT Dates:
- 2027 dates released soon.
DANCE
Steppers Dance are welcoming beginner friendly dance class for adults. Meeting weekly, usually on Monday or Tuesday evenings from 7-8pm. Work collaboratively create a dance routines in differing styles of dance and genres of music. Each month will have a different theme as you are encouraged to improve musicality, technique and grow your joy of dance. Steppers Dance is a pressure free fun environment, with no expectation for flawless technique and endless flexibility, come along and give it a go with other people who also love dance.
Steppers DANCE dates:
- Steppers dance are currently working towards performances at our next Fundriasing Cabaret night
- Next block of dates for new members to attend will be released soon.
TECHNICAL
Join our head technician to explore many of the different facets of the technical side of the theatre. From Lighting to sound design, set building to foley sound art, this free monthly session is open to adults who are keen to learn and share their common interests and intrigues. Exploring a different theme each month Steppers: Tech is the perfect introduction or reintroduction to tech in the performing arts.
New dates coming soon.
SUPPORTING BEHIND THE SCENES
It takes lots of people to make a show happen so we're always looking for helping hands. If you have an interest in anything from becoming a stage hand to help scenery changes during a show, to showing off your flair on a showing machine to learning how to operate the lights. If yoou'd like to get involved behind the scenes please email: nikki@theatreonthesteps.co.uk with details of what area yoou are interested in.
ARE YOU A PROFESSIONAL PERFORMER OR RETURNING TO PERFORMING
Head to information about our resident repertory companies Aethelflad and Beyond the Steps.
YOUTH THEATRE
FOR INFORMATION ON OUR YOUTH THEATRE for children and young people aged 8-16 please visit the YOUTH THEATRE section of our website.
