Freelancers make theatre work
Freelancing 101
A practical starting point for UK freelancers working in theatre and the performing arts.
Freelancing can be creative, flexible and rewarding, but the practical side is often learned through trial and error. Freelancing 101 is a UK-wide starting point for freelancers across theatre and the performing arts, whatever their role, discipline or career stage.
This hub brings together introductory guidance on practical issues many freelancers share. It is designed to help you understand what to ask, what to prepare, how to approach your own professional responsibilities and where to find further support.
Choose the section that best matches what you need help with today. If you are completely new to freelancing, follow our five starting steps. The hub provides general information and signposting. It cannot cover every role, discipline or individual situation, and it does not provide individual legal, tax, financial or medical advice.
Explore Freelancing 101
Choose the area that best matches what you need help with today.
Money, tax and admin
Get set up, understand tax and invoicing, work out your rates and build simple habits for managing freelance finances.
Finding work and building your career
Explore practical ways to find opportunities, build relationships, present your work and develop a sustainable freelance career.
Contracts, rights and red flags
Understand agreements, rights & professional responsibilities, & learn what to check before, during and after a freelance job.
Unions, networks and where to get help
Find the unions, professional bodies, networks and support organisations that can offer advice, connection and practical help.
Wellbeing and sustainable freelancing
Practical support for looking after yourself, managing the pressures of freelance life and building a career that works for you.
Freelance words in plain English
A jargon-free guide to the words, phrases and abbreviations you’re likely to encounter as a freelancer in the performing arts.
Quick tools
Practical templates, checklists and starting points to help with freelance life.
New to freelancing? Start here
These five steps will help you put the basics in place without trying to learn everything at once.
Understand how you’re being engaged
Employee, worker or self-employed? Start by understanding what the job is actually asking you to be.
How is this job engaging you? →Check the offer before you say yes
Make sure you understand the work, fee, time, expenses, payment terms, access needs and what happens if plans change.
Before you accept: twelve questions →If you’re self-employed, get registered
Find out when you need to tell HMRC, what records to keep and what you need to do in your first few weeks.
Registering and your first 30 days →Get your money basics in place
Think about what you need to charge, keep track of your money and know how to invoice properly.
Money, tax and admin →Find your people
You don’t have to work everything out alone. Find the union, professional network or support organisation that fits your work and circumstances.
Unions, networks and where to get help →More from FMTW and beyond
Explore more resources, research and support from across the wider FMTW website.
Anti-racism resources
Practical tools, organisations, networks and further learning to support actively anti-racist working across the performing arts.
Big Freelancer Survey 2025
Explore what thousands of freelancers told us about working in the performing arts, from pay and conditions to wellbeing and career sustainability.
The Illustrated Freelancer's Guide
The Illustrated Freelancer’s Guide is a practical resource for the increasing number of artists, makers, writers and other creatives working freelance
For organisations, educators and drama schools
Resources to help organisations and educators better understand, prepare for and support the realities of freelance working in the performing arts.