Edinburgh Festival Inside Track

Application Now Open for 2026

Immerse yourself in theatre, comedy and culture and learn what it takes to programme and produce live events at The Edinburgh Fringe.

  • Application open: Tuesday 24th March
  • Drop in sessions: Thursday  9th and Friday 10th April
  • Application deadline: Sunday 26th April, 5pm
  • Interviews: Thursday 7th May and Friday 8th May
  • Event date: Monday 10th August to Saturday 15th August

Are you passionate about the magic of live events, the thrill of live music, or the captivating world of theatre? Have you ever wondered what it takes to produce or review a show? Here’s an exciting opportunity to immerse yourself in the performing arts world and help shape the future of the creative scene in Waltham Forest.

We are offering two residents an all-expenses paid trip to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, in partnership with Soho Theatre Walthamstow. Scotland hosts the world’s largest performing arts festival, showcasing thousands of performances across comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and everything in between. This opportunity will give you a chance to network with industry insiders and artists, meet Soho staff members, and gain insight into how productions are created and programmed.

If you’re feeling unsure about navigating the festival, don’t worry, we will provide full mentoring and support ahead of your trip, as well as having a dedicated staff member at the festival for any additional support needed. Our aim is to help you feel confident, empowered and ready to make the most of this incredible experience.

Join us as we pave the way for the growth of Soho Theatre Walthamstow and make your mark on the cultural life of Waltham Forest. Apply now and embark on a journey that could shape your future in the creative industries.

Watch the video below from Ibrahim and Patrick who experienced this incredible opportunity last year and find out how it helped shape their journey in the performing arts.

What the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Experience includes:

  • 5 day all-expenses paid trip (10th to 15th August 2026) to the festival, including travel to Scotland, accommodation and breakfast.
  • £425 expenses for food, drink and tickets to additional shows.
  • 2 workshops leading up to the festival focusing on what a programmer is looking for and how to plan you time effectively whilst you are at the festival.
  • Support and mentoring whilst at Edinburgh Fringe from Future Formed team.
  • Unlimited entry passes to see the full range of shows at Pleasance theatres (these include many Soho commissioned pieces).
  • Paid feedback session in September to present your experience at the festival to Soho Theatre programming team and the Waltham Forest council cultural team.

Your role and contribution

Your main responsibilities will include:

  • Attending a broad range of performances and events at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, across different genres and venue types.
  • Keeping notes/records i.e. voice notes, video for each performance to capture, key highlights and critical reflections. Evaluating venues and the overall festival experience considering accessibility, audience experience, atmosphere and other important factors.
  • Providing honest, thoughtful feedback on the shows you experience identifying what resonated with you, what challenged your expectations and what could have been improved.
  • Keeping a daily video diary. Taking photos (where permitted) of venues, promotional materials and festival environments to support your feedback reports.
  • Organising and preparing your feedback in a clear, structured format, ready to share your experience and feedback.
  • Presenting your insights at a paid feedback session in September to Soho Theatre’s programming team and Waltham Forest’s cultural leadership team.

Throughout, you will be expected to approach the role with professionalism, curiosity and critical thinking. Your feedback will be used to help ensure that future programming decisions reflect a diverse range of perspectives and strengthen cultural offerings in Waltham Forest. You will be supported int process by Future Formed, we are looking for genuine authentic feedback in your voice. You do not have to studied performing arts to take up this opportunity.

Ibrahim, Edinburgh Inside Track 2025 participant
“From beginning to end, it was an incredible experience. The thing that the trip taught me about myself is that... I really like theatre! I can actually imagine myself making a show.”

Who we are looking for:

We are seeking two enthusiastic and committed individuals who are passionate about the performing arts and keen to develop their skills and experience within the creative industries. To apply, you must:

  • Be aged 18 or over
  • Live, work, or study in the London Borough of Waltham Forest
  • Be able to attend both workshops in June/July prior to going to the festival (exact dates tbc)
  • Be available to travel and stay in Edinburgh from 10th to 15th August 2026

We particularly encourage applications from individuals who are currently underrepresented or face barriers within the creative sector, including (but not limited to) people from the Global Majority (Black, Asian and other racially minoritised communities), disabled people, LGBTQI+ individuals, those experiencing financial barriers, or anyone who feels they may need additional support to take part. We are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment and support can be provided to help make participation possible. Priority will be given to applicants not in full-time employment.

Essential skills and attributes:

  • Reliable, punctual and organised
  • Demonstrates a keen interest in the performing arts (theatre, comedy, live events, or related areas)
  • Open minded, willing to learn new skills and ready to engage with new experiences
  • Able to take part in a 5 day trip away from home (support can be provided if needed during travel and your stay in Edinburgh)

Interested? Apply now!

  • Deadline for applications: Sunday 19th April, 5pm
  • Interviews: Thursday 7th May and Friday 8th May

We want the application process to be as easy as possible and we want to hear from everybody. We will be holding a drop in session on Thursday 9th and Friday 10th April at Soho Theatre Walthamstow between 1-3pm. Please email Kaveh.Rahnama@walthamforest.gov.uk if you’d like to attend or have any other questions.