At the Criterion Theatre Trust, we welcome thousands of visitors each year — not just for our West End productions, but also for workshops, showcases, and new writing events. We’re now offering an exciting opportunity for a Trainee Front of House Manager — a paid, six-month training placement designed for someone looking to build a career in theatre and venue management.
This is more than an entry-level role. The placement provides real responsibility, hands-on experience, and in-depth training in all areas of front of house and theatre operations — including customer service, duty management, stock control, event support, and collaboration with departments such as Box Office, Finance, and Stage Door.
During your placement, you will:
- Learn how a busy West End venue is managed
- Contribute to team leadership, training, and appraisals
- Shadow experienced Theatre Managers and assist with live events
- Gain insights into bar sales, merchandising, and business operations
- Receive First Aid training and obtain a Personal Licence qualification
- Work on projects including our New Writing programme and Eastside Spoken Word
- Take part in short placements at partner venues to understand how other theatres operate
No formal management experience is required — just curiosity, commitment, and a genuine interest in theatre operations. Whether you’ve worked front of house before or are completely new to the environment, this could be the first step in your theatre management journey.
We’ve created a Recruitment Pack with everything you need to know about the role, how to apply, and what you’ll gain from the experience:
Recruitment Pack
