Career & Development

Our industry is constantly evolving. If you’re thinking about how to keep up with the changes or want to take the next step in your career, we hope you’ll find our information and resources helpful.

Keep an eye on this page for updates on how Actors’ Trust can help you to achieve a long and sustainable career.

 

Actor providing a voice over aspect ratio 1512 554 Actor-providing-a-voice-over-aspect-ratio-375-575
Two Actors on Stage with Director

How We Can Help

Actors’ Trust Retraining Grant

We aim to help actors and stage management get back to work if a health issue or life event is getting in the way, but we know from experience that it’s not always possible. If you are unable to continue working as an actor or in stage management due to a long-term health issue (such as cancer, degenerative illness, or physical trauma), we may be able to support you with a grant to help you get started in another profession. Enquire through the link below, or call us at 0303 223 1110.

Enquire Now

 

Resources:

 

Career Development and Support for Actors and Stage Management

 

Equity

Equity Members get free training via the Federation of Entertainment Unions (FEU Training).

Find out more

 

Skills Centre | National Theatre

Workplace-delivered placement, training, and apprenticeship opportunities.

Find out more

 

The Caldicot Stage Management Training Bursary

Kindly funded by Jonathan Caldicot and designed to support members of the Stage Management community with their continuing professional development, The Theatrical Guild will work in partnership with The Stage Management Association to offer hardship grant funding for a range of up-skills training opportunities. Please contact the SMA for course details & eligibility criteria: T&Cs Apply.

Find out more

 

MONA Careers

MONA is a UK wide staffing agency that connects actors to flexible, well paid side hustle work in customer facing roles. Run by actors, for Actors.

Find out more

 

Grants for Actors to Retrain

 

Equity Charitable Trust (ECT)

Provides education grants for applicants with 10 years of professional work.

Find out more

 

Grants for Stage Management to Upskill or Retrain

 

Backup Tech
Stage Management Association
The Theatrical Guild

Creative Grants for Development Within the Industry

 

Arts Council England

Project funding.

Find out more

 

Help Musicians

Career development support.

Find out more

 

Keep it Fringe Fund

Funding for artists at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Find out more

 

PRS Foundation

Funding for industry professionals.

Find out more

 

Royal Theatrical Support Trust

Charity promoting theatre, supporting emerging talent and regional companies.

Find out more

 

Non-theatrical Retraining Grants

 

Adult Learning Grant (DWP)
The King's Trust

Funding for 16–30-year-olds looking to learn new skills.

Find out more

 

Headshot Michael Curran Dorsano
But most of us live secret lives of great hardship and uncertainty, and to be held and cared for in such a critical time...has been life changing.”
Michael Curran-Dorsano Actor
Read Michael's Story

Try our Benefit Calculator

Enter your details, and you will receive an estimate of your entitlement to benefits. 

You may find it helpful to collect information about your income, savings, pensions and any existing benefits you are entitled to. If you have a partner, you may wish to do this for them too, before using the calculator. 

See how to use the calculator for more tips.

 

TRY IT NOW
Man on Crutches in Kitchen aspect ratio 564 324 1

Useful articles

General News
Screenshot-2026-09-24-105827-aspect-ratio-288-195
Acting for Impact Support General News

Adding Gift Aid to your donation is a quick way to help actors and stage management, at no extra cost.

01 October 2026
Read more
Research
Screenshot-2026-09-21-155438-aspect-ratio-288-195
Support Research

Actors' Trust is pleased to support the Injury Prevention Consultancy (IPC) for the launch of the Impact of Injury '26 survey (IOI26).

21 September 2026
Read more
General News
Screenshot-2026-06-29-162123-aspect-ratio-288-195
General News

Actors' Trust is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Dame Penelope Keith, former president of the Actors' Benevolent Fund. The following tributes reflect the admiration, affection, and gratitude felt by those who knew and worked with Dame Penelope, remembering not only her remarkable achievements but also the kindness, warmth, and generosity that touched so many lives.

21 September 2026
Read more
Video-frame-purple-aspect-ratio-288-195

Actors' Trust mourn the passing of our Development Board member, Alan Finch

14 September 2026
Read more
General News
Simon-Callow-headshot-aspect-ratio-688-458-1-aspect-ratio-288-195
Acting for Impact Support General News

Trustee Simon Callow CBE explains why a gift in your will matters to him.

07 September 2026
Read more
General News
At-The-Pantomime-aspect-ratio-288-195
General News

Actors' Trust is delighted to introduce to you our 2026 Christmas cards!Available to purchase now.

28 August 2026
Read more
General News
Screenshot-2026-07-20-at-10.31.02-aspect-ratio-288-195
Acting for Impact Support General News Grants & Services Press Releases

We have launched our new 'School Essentials Grant' for actors and stage managers with one or more children of school age.

20 July 2026
Read more
General News
Screenshot-2026-06-29-162123-aspect-ratio-288-195
General News

Actors' Trust is deeply saddened to hear of the death of Dame Penelope Keith, former president of the Actors' Benevolent Fund.

29 June 2026
Read more
General News
Screenshot-2025-05-21-at-17.31.49-aspect-ratio-288-195
CEO Policy General News

Key findings from our latest governance review.

16 June 2026
Read more
General News
Peter-Forbes-interview-3-aspect-ratio-288-195
CEO General News

Member Trustee Elections 2026

16 June 2026
Read more
General News
1774517639133-aspect-ratio-288-195
General News

Were delighted to share that Actors Trust received two major awards at the Transform Awards in March.

10 June 2026
Read more
General News
Screenshot-2026-06-10-163902-aspect-ratio-288-195
Support General News

Gifts in Wills play a vital role in the future of Actors Trust and our ability to expand and broaden the services and resources we can offer actors and stage managers in need. We are most grateful to those who have come forward in the past 12 months to let us know they have left a gift in their Will.

10 June 2026
Read more