We believe that having the opportunity to experience and participate in the arts helps to build young people
who become confident, creative, curious and capable citizens, playing an active and positive role in our society.
Young people in the areas our schools serve too often face barriers to opportunities in the Arts – stemming from systemic inequalities that limit their opportunities to engage with and pursue careers in the arts. We created the academy to change that.
Young people are given the space to participate and access the best that the arts have to offer, a greater awareness of different opportunities, the confidence to pursue them and develop skills that prepare them for their futures. We also aim to help the wider education and theatre industry improve its education and access provision for young people.
Launched in 2023, Mulberry Production Arts Academy is a Mulberry Schools Trust Changemaker Programme in partnership with The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama and National Theatre.
Mulberry Production Arts Academy seeks to discover, train and empower the next generation of creative changemakers through a set of interconnected strategic strands:
Studied: CTEC in Performing Arts at Mulberry UTC, specialising in Theatre Production
Now: Studying for an FdA in Technical Theatre and Stage Management at RADA
“I am a passionate advocate for working class women pursuing careers in technical theatre”
Mulberry Technicians offers a year-long training programme for students aged 13–16 across the Mulberry Schools Trust. The programme is built around three pillars -technical skills, professional understanding and personal development – creating a structured yet flexible pathway into the creative industries.
Students engage in Saturday skills workshops, mentoring, and real-world work immersion opportunities. These elements work together to provide a holistic learning experience that blends theory, creativity and practical application.
This integrated model ensures that students not only develop industry-standard technical competencies but also build resilience, confidence, collaboration skills and long-term aspiration. Collectively, these outcomes form a robust and progressive pipeline that supports young people to enter, contribute to and thrive within the production arts sector.
Each year, the Academy plays a central role in major Trust-wide arts events including the Mulberry Festival of Arts and the Mulberry Arts Rightful Place
Conference. Both events offer students across all Mulberry schools a platform to engage with production arts, interact with creative industry practitioners, and experience ambitious student-led productions and events. These opportunities create a pipeline of interest and inspiration, encouraging young people to pursue creative subjects and activities as they progress through school. Our commitment to creative access extends far beyond the core cohort of academy students. We aspire to create a rich programme of engagement to introduce production arts to younger learners and wider school communities
across the Mulberry Schools Trust and beyond. We aim to provide Key Stage 2 and early Key Stage 3 students with opportunities to explore production arts in hands-on workshops, integrated curriculum projects, and live event experiences. These activities would be designed to spark curiosity, build confidence, and highlight the exciting career pathways within the UK’s creative industries, with a strong emphasis on the interconnection between STEM and the Arts. By embedding production arts learning opportunities at every stage of education, the academy nurtures the next generation of imaginative thinkers, problem-solvers, and Theatremakers – ensuring that creativity and technical innovation are valued and visible within our Trust community.
We hope to continue to build a supportive network of like-minded people who share our passion to move the arts world to a more inclusive place, with diverse voices and community at its heart.
There are many valuable ways in which the work of the academy can be supported. Through accessing placements, work experience, mentoring, and shadowing opportunities, our students can gain meaningful experience of work in this field and benefit from the guidance and support of experienced industry professionals. We would be delighted to hear from anyone interested in working with us.
Studies: GCSE Drama at Mulberry School for Girls
Now: a member of Technical Theatre Club at Mulberry School for Girls
“I am so pleased to have had the opportunity to explore the production arts. I think that more young people should consider it as a career choice”
Email
mpaa@mulberryschoolstrust.org
Mulberry Schools Trust
Richard Street
Commercial Road
London E1 2JP
0207 790 6327
info@mulberryschoolstrust.org
www.mulberryschoolstrust.org
Mulberry Schools Trust
Richard Street
Commercial Road
London E1 2JP
020 7790 6327
admin@mulberryschoolstrust.org
The Mulberry Schools Trust is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England and Wales (Company No. 10035860).
Company’s registered office: Mulberry Schools Trust, Richard St, Commercial Road, London E1 2JP. © Copyright – Mulberry Schools Trust.
