The project aims to understand where training is needed to grow and retain talent across theatre and live performance. It explores training pathways, challenges to upskilling and where opportunities may exist to develop the workforce.

The research will also analyse how the wider theatre ecology is affecting training and how new technologies are changing the current training infrastructure for theatre technicians.

By completing the survey, you will help provide evidence that can:

• Identify gaps in current technical training provision
• Support the development of future training pathways
• Strengthen the pipeline of skilled technicians entering the industry
• Inform how the sector responds to changing technologies and skills needs

This research will help build a clearer picture of how the industry can support technicians at different stages of their careers and ensure the long‑term sustainability of the theatre workforce.

The survey is open to industry practitioners, venues and employers of production and performance technicians and takes approximately 10–15 minutes to complete.

Findings will be presented at the ABTT Theatre Show in June 2026 and published in an open‑access report in Autumn 2026.

ABTT encourages professionals across the sector to take part and share the survey with colleagues or within their organisations.

Complete the survey →