Birmingham Rep announce the eight young people who will be the first participants in its new acting training programme, Rep Studio 8.

This new intensive programme offers eight Midlands-based actors training and experience to build sustainable careers in the theatre industry. The initiative reflects The Rep’s ongoing commitment to nurturing diverse talent and strengthening pathways into the arts.

The 2026 Rep Studio 8 cohort includes: Maisie Britton, Reece Cameron Fielding, Victor A Daniels, Lerissa Doré, Samuel Gold Akanbi, Quennie Lim, Loretta Thompson and Kevvauna Welsh.

Participants will benefit from hands-on workshops, masterclasses with leading industry professionals, and performance opportunities, including performing in The Red Shoes as part of the Rep Rising summer festival and Twelfth Night as part of a Theatre in Education (TiE) tour.

Rep Studio 8 has been made possible thanks to funding from The JABBS Foundation who have provided funding to run the programme and bursaries for the eight participants.

The Rep has a long history of championing new talent, and Rep Studio 8 builds on this legacy by creating a structured, high-quality training environment rooted in real-world practice.

To find out more about The Rep’s Community Engagement programmes and opportunities to take part, visit the website: birmingham-rep.co.uk/take-part