Activate Performing Arts Trainee Producer

We believe extraordinary moments connect and uplift us all. Our mission is to create opportunities for everyone through the performing arts. We have created a new role in our team for a Trainee Producer in Dorset to grow our community engagement and deliver (with support) our CREATE! 2026 training course for early career creatives in Dorset.

If you are as passionate about performance as we are, and you have always wanted an opportunity to help make things happen, then this could be the role for you.

The Basics

Reports to: Executive Producer

Location: Dorchester office and out on site around Dorset

Deadline: Monday 2^nd June at midday

Interviews: Thursday 12^th June 2025

Ideal start: 14^th July 2025

Working days: 3 days per week, flexitime

Salary: £24,600 pro rata PAYE

Pension: Pension enrolment after 3 months’ continuous employment

Holiday: 23 days plus public holidays pro rata

Ideal term: 7.5 months fixed term contract

To apply: Online application form. You can submit answers in alternative formats such as video and audio using the application form.

Open Evening We are having a relaxed online Open Evening on Monday 19^th May 2025 from 6-8pm on zoom for anyone who wants to chat about the opportunity: Join the Zoom here.

Meeting ID: 881 4975 5341
Passcode: 614753

Please contact us if you have any access requirements and plan to attend.
info@activateperformingarts.org.uk or call 01305 260954

 

About Us

We exist to promote, support and produce performing arts projects in our communities. Bringing world-class events to unexpected places, like town centres, village squares, beaches and hilltops. And we’ve been doing it for over 30 years. Our aim is to break down barriers and reach the widest possible audiences, while celebrating our natural landscape and sense of place.

Supporting our performing arts community is at the heart of everything we do. We bring people together, offer advice, and provide access to learning and resources. We’re here to help creatives at all levels on their journey towards creating outstanding, inspiring work. We offer 121 free advice sessions and run training programmes for artists working in the performing arts.

We run an inclusive performance group for children and young people called The Remix, and our Dorset Youth Dance company offering contemporary classes for 5-25 year olds wanting to pursue their passion.

Our Inside Out Dorset festival presents extraordinary events in extraordinary locations. It is free to attend and takes place outdoors. We showcase UK and European theatre and dance artists in events across Dorset, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole in a mix of countryside, coastal and urban locations, we attract audiences of around 20,000 each festival.

We also produce and tour the work of 2 Dorset based companies: Lorna Rees and The Working Boys Club to festivals and events in the UK.

 

About You

Essential things we are looking for are below. You will:

• Be passionate about live performance
• Want a career in the arts
• Be enthusiastic and creative
• Work well in a team
• Be a good communicator
• Be good with people from a range of backgrounds
• Be organised and good at managing your to-do list
• Be hard-working and keen to learn
• Live in Dorset / Bournemouth / Christchurch / Poole,

Things which would be useful for you to have but are not essential:

• Experience of working with artists
• Experience of organising your own projects/events
• Have experience of using social media or other tools to reach people.

We particularly welcome applications from people who have experienced barriers or prejudice relating to their age, gender identity, ethnicity and/or having a disability or long-term health condition, their sexuality, or being from a working class/ low-income background.

You will receive:

• Lots of training opportunities – both formal and informal, based on your needs
• An external mentor to guide and support you
• A friendly team to work alongside and guide you in your learning
• The opportunity to build your network in the arts sector and make contacts
• The opportunity to see performances and shows
• The chance to work with our experienced team of producers with a range of skills.

 

Job Description

Job Title: Trainee Producer

Job Purpose: To support the Producing team and project manage CREATE! 2026.

Reports to: Executive Producer

The role of a Producer is like that of a Project Manager or an Event Organiser. A Producer makes things happen. This involves a huge variety of work including admin office tasks, through to hands-on running of events or activities. Producers in our industry work with artists and creatives to help their ideas become a reality. Producers learn to solve problems creatively and they also need to be organised and good at communication so they can work with all the other people involved: from venue partners, to funders, to participants and audiences.

You will:

Support our Producer – Theatre, Education & Outreach on engagement projects for example:

• helping to run our engagement events
• contacting and talking to community groups
• creating databases and schedules for activities
• booking transport and organising refreshments
• taking notes at meetings
• making phone calls and enquiries
• taking photos/videos of our events.

Support Dorset creatives by:

• researching opportunities for Dorset creatives for our monthly newsletter
• researching networks to reach creatives from marginalised backgrounds
• attending ‘What Next? Dorset’ online monthly meetings
• developing and delivering our CREATE! Training programme for young people who want to make events happen.

Work to support the wider team by:

• attending and contributing to our team meetings
• assisting the rest of the team on other tasks when needed
• welcoming visitors to the office
• representing Activate at events (online/live) in a professional and friendly style.

 

Equality & Diversity

• We wholeheartedly support equal opportunities in all areas of our work. We strive to be a bold organisation that listens to the communities we work with. We encourage feedback on our services and how we can improve.
• We are committed to removing barriers. We oppose all forms of unlawful discrimination in relation to the protected characteristics. We are committed to having a staff and board that reflects and represents all sections of the community we serve and eliminating discrimination that is unlawful under the Equality Act 2010.
• We will guarantee an interview to any D/deaf or disabled candidate who fulfils the essential criteria for the role – please tell us in your application form or video. We are open to proposals of ways this role might be undertaken if our proposed structure presents barriers to any applicant.
• The interview panel will be representative of a diverse range of individuals.
• Application forms will be anonymised for short-listing.