Creative Practitioner / Writer / Director, Wonderseekers / Winchester Science Centre

BIG STEM Communicators Network; Winchester; Hybrid; GBP 4,200 - 4,800; Part time

Job summary

Winchester Science Centre is seeking a Creative Practitioner to adapt the existing script and direct a team of science communicators to deliver a 20-minute, presenter-led show for children aged 3-12 and accompanying adults.

You will enhance the narrative, coach presenters in performance and voice, and ensure the show is scientifically accurate while remaining engaging, fun and accessible. The role runs Feb–April 2026 with a show date in late April.

Qualifications

• Experience adapting scripts for live audiences.
• Experience directing presenter-led or demonstration-based shows.
• Experience in science communication or educational performances.
• Experience in visitor attractions, museums or informal learning environments.

Responsibilities

• Direct our science presenters during rehearsals and performances.
• Elevate narrative structure and performance style of the Inspirer team.
• Ensure scientific accuracy and engaging, high-quality delivery.
• Coordinate with the production team to deliver a confident, playful show.

Skills

Script adaptation

Directing live shows

Educational outreach

Visitor attraction experience

Job description

Creative Practitioner / Writer / Director, Wonderseekers / Winchester Science Centre

Feb 2026

Project overview

We are developing a 20-minute presentation-style live show designed for the general public in a science centre environment. The project involves adapting an existing script and directing a small team of science communicators/presenters to deliver an engaging, high-quality and fun performance that’s also scientifically accurate.

Winchester Science Centre has delivered a range of science shows over recent years, which have always been created in-house with a ‘home-grown’ style. We are now looking to elevate this concept through engaging creative practitioners to support the production and delivery of our presenter-led show format. You will be supported to ensure scientific accuracy and instead looking for someone to elevate the narrative structure and performance style of the Inspirer team.

We are particularly interested in practitioners with experience in one or more of the following:

• Script adaptation for live audiences
• Directing presenter-led or demonstration-based shows
• Educational or science communication performance
• Visitor attraction, museum, or informal learning environments

Location

Winchester Science Centre

Audience

Children aged 3-12 and their accompanying adults

Theme / Subject Area

Sound

Script Status

Performance Style

Team Size to Direct

10

Development Period

Feb-April 2026

Friday 10 April 2026 (with 1 st review by Friday 20 th March)

Performance Period

First show date - Saturday 25 th April 2026

Support provided

• Health and Safety expertise (for science demos)
• Basic in-house technical and AV
• Accessibility scoping and adaptations
• Additional costume / prop / set-design resources
• Rehearsal space at Winchester Science Centre

Fee Structure

Project fee – £4,500

The commission should result in:

• An update of existing script with a clear narrative and flow
• Directing practical rehearsal time with team of presenters
• A performance ready show with confident presenters

Please contact Jenna Cox, Head of Programming ( [e-mail] ).

Show Format

Length

20 minutes

Audience Type

Children aged 3-12 and their accompanying adults

Audience Size

Up to 100

Frequency

Performance Style

Tone

Fun, playful and curious

Technical

• Robust and repeatable, resettable multiple times a day
• Adaptable for ‘relaxed’ accessible shows
• Suitable for a max stage size of 4 x 4 metres
• Present science demonstrations in a strong visual way
• Include predictable warnings for sensory moments

What sound is (vibrations and particles)

Sound as a wave (compression waves)

How sound travels through air

How speakers and loudspeakers work

How sound frequency affects wave patterns

Ways we can “see” sound

A key element of this commission is directing our science presenters to deliver the show as a confident experience, not just a scripted demonstration.

The practitioner will be expected to work directly with presenters during rehearsals, support them in physical storytelling and use of space; voice, pace, and clarity and managing audience interaction. The goal is to empower our science presenters to feel confident and playful.

Supporting Documents and Information

• Sound Show - Science Interpretation Plan