Apply to the 2026 Optimists Summer Course

THANK YOU FOR APPLYING TO BE AN OPTIMIST!

Please ensure that you have read the application guidelines before completing this application form.

Your application is not complete without your CV/information about your work, and we also ask that you submit a completed online equal opportunities form.

The equal opportunities form helps us to evaluate our recruitment process for the future - you have the option to select 'Prefer not to say' in response to any question. Please remember to include both this form and your CV as part of your application.

If you have any queries regarding this application, please refer to our FAQs or email us at optimists@chinaplatetheatre.com

Important Dates:

Deadline for applications is 12pm (midday) on Wednesday 20th May 2026.
Successful applicants will be notified by Friday 29th May 2026.

Please note that we cannot accept any applications submitted after this deadline.

Notes

You can provide video/voice files or filmed BSL for certain sections, if preferable. 
If you would prefer to provide a video/voice file or filmed BSL for parts or for your entire application, please contact recruitment@chinaplatetheatre.com before applying so that we can ensure that all of your files are received, and we can file the accompanying paperwork.
Tip: If you choose audio, don’t worry about pauses or filler words - just share your thoughts as naturally as possible.

Direct links

Application Guidelines and FAQ’s - chinaplatetheatre.com/opportunities

Equal Opportunities Form - https://forms.gle/y9Ynadf3AG6Ywk4z8

Name

First NameLast Name

Company Name (if relevent)

Email

example@example.com

Phone number

Address

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityCounty

Post Code

Website/portfolio link

Tell us a bit about yourself, what you do and what professional/industry experience you have in the arts sector (no more than 150 words max/up to 2-minute audio/video)

Tip: Utilise the option to include links to your work in the box above. You can find additional guidance for this question in the FAQs0/165

Why would you like to become an Optimist? (No more 300 words max/up to 4-minute audio/video)

Prompt: How would The Optimist course further your development? You can find additional guidance for this question in the FAQ0/320

Are there any course dates that you cannot make? If so, please select them below.

Is there anything you would like us to know about your availability?

Please highlight which one of these best describes you as a creative professional:

If you selected 'other', please use this box to add more details

Would you like to apply for one of these bursaries? Please select ‘Yes’ or ‘No’

If you are happy to do so, please briefly note the reason(s) why you are applying for the bursary e.g. which community you are part of. It is not necessary to provide specific personal experiences or evidence.

Refer to the application guidelines for more information

If you have any access requirements that that you need in place to support you to participate in this course, please let us know here. We would be happy to follow up with you directly to explore how we can support you. Please be assured that sharing access needs will not impact the selection process.

How did you find out about The Optimists? Please highlight below and provide details regarding specific channels, sites or networks if possible.

If you selected 'other', please use this box to add more details

Have you participated in or attended China Plate's productions, events or Training & Development workshops? If so, please let us below:

If you selected 'other', please use this box to add more details

If you’d be interested in receiving a monthly round up of Training & Development opportunities from China Plate, our partners and wider producer community via email and/or if you would like to receive our wider monthly newsletter, please tick the relevant boxes below, alongside an email address for us to keep on file. You can unsubscribe and opt out of these at any time.

Contact email to keep on file:

Upload your CV / information about your work here

Upload your video / voice file(s) or filmed BSL section(s) here (if required)

You can upload more than 1 file here

Before you submit your application, double-check the following.

Apply to China Plate's Summer 2026 Optimists Course

Bursary & Support

And if so, fantastic!