In this National Apprenticeship Week 2026, we celebrate the achievements of one of our current apprentices at the RSC.
Mira has had a remarkable journey to the Royal Shakespeare Company. Originally from near Kiev, Ukraine, the 20-year-old came to the UK in 2022.
Mira joined the RSC five months before his apprenticeship officially began, working in the same role he would later train for (as Planning and Operations Administrator Apprentice, CLE), which gave him a head start in understanding the job and the team. In December 2026, he will complete his apprenticeship – but with a difference: Mira is set to become the first RSC apprentice to have already been offered a permanent job before finishing the programme.
For Mira, this training pathway was always a goal. He explains: "In Ukraine, we don’t really have apprenticeships – the conventional route is university. I’m drawn to learning on the job: you don’t end up with university debt, and you can work and learn at the same time. I’ve already had the chance to shadow people and see what they do. If I were at university or college, I wouldn’t have had these on-the-ground learning opportunities or the chance to be part of something bigger."
His first taste of off-stage theatre work came while interpreting for the RSC when the Theatre Studio of IDP’s Uzhik from Ukraine performed a powerful production of King Lear. Mira recalls: "Interpreting for the company gave me real insight into what goes on behind-the-scenes. I saw how productions come together and how much planning and collaboration is involved. It made me realise I wanted to be part of that process.”
Mira has also gained a range of experience in the UK hospitality sector, working as a waiter and bartender in various bars before becoming a mixologist at the RSC’s Rooftop Restaurant. Along the way, he met new people, navigated different environments, and honed his communication and teamwork skills – all of which he says prepared him for life in the theatre world.
Now fully immersed in the role, Mira is thriving: “I’m learning so much, and the team has been amazing,” he reflects. “It’s shown me the importance of persistence – to keep trying, to keep learning and someone will notice your dedication.”
Our current cohort of apprentices also includes Georgina, a Technical Apprentice working across Stage and Props, Lighting, Sound and Automation departments and Hassan, a Running Wardrobe Apprentice.
