The Open Programme offers lectures, workshops and short, practical courses in traditional arts and crafts.

Our programmes are open to anyone over the age of 18 and suit all levels of ability and experience, from beginners to seasoned practitioners.

Audiences are spoilt for choice right now with the availability of stories - on stage, screen, radio and in other forms of fiction. How do you strengthen your play idea - and make it stand out from all the rest?

In 2019, Associate Playwright Oliver Emanuel (Flight,The 306 Trilogy) ran a series of workshops across Scotland that aimed to:

- assist in improving your ideas
- guide your writing and redrafting
- increase your confidence when talking to directors, programmers or potential supporters about the story you want to tell
- assert why you are the only person who can tell it

In this short series of videos, Oliver talks you through the points covered in the workshop. A BSL version of the workshop by Bea Webster is available.

YOUNG COLLECTIVE IS OUR MEMBERSHIP SCHEME WHICH GIVES YOUNG PEOPLE AGED 14-21 OPEN-ACCESS TO WORKSHOPS AT THE ROYAL EXCHANGE THEATRE
Our YOUNG COMPANY COLLECTIVE is a year long membership which allows you to book on to FREE or DISCOUNTED workshops such as;

Costume Design, Writing a Monologue, Performing Comedy, Sustainable Theatre Design, Directing New Writing, Movement Direction, Creating Solo Theatre, Autobiographical Writing, Stories Through Sound Design and more!

BECOME A MEMBER

Memberships are £20 for the year and can be purchased online.

We offer Financial support to help with membership fees and travel costs through our Arts Pot scheme.

Our relaxed drama workshops are for learning disabled and autistic adults and young people who want to join in fun theatre sessions. It’s a great way to make friends, build confidence and gain skills.

There are opportunities to perform in shows, including at our annual festival - A Bit Of A Do. But there is no pressure on anyone to perform - so if you just want to join to have fun in the sessions that’s fine too.

Each session will include warm ups, theatre games, acting and group work.

Workshops are led by experienced friendly tutors.

These sessions will begin in 2022. There will be one group for adults and one for young people aged 13 - 18

Who: The workshops are open to adults over the age of 18 with mild to moderate learning disabilities and /or autism. We will also be starting a group for young people aged 13 to 18. You don’t need to have done drama before, and there is no pressure to perform.

When: Monday evenings. Three 10-week terms per year. Starting in 2022.

Where: Croydon, venue TBC

A youth programme that challenges what it means to be an artist
Guided through the year by artists and leading professionals from a variety of disciplines, Cardboard Collective will demystify the mechanisms of live performance – from marketing a show to producing a gig – building towards collaborating to create a series of live public events.

Each member of the Collective will develop their artistry, grow their brand and become more industry savvy, accessing the information you need to know to up your levels in the industry.

Cardboard Collective will inspire boundary-breaking new creations by breaking down the borders between art forms and encouraging unexpected collaborations.

The Collective is open to young people aged 16-25 and who have an interest in making art; you could be a musician, designer, events manager, producer, vocalist, social media guru, stylist or not even know where your current interest fits, that’s also okay, we want you in the Collective too.

Key Club is a FREE creative arts and social club for young people (18-30 yrs) on the autism spectrum. The members meet once a month on a Saturday from September to June. They participate in a creative workshop and share refreshments and social time.

“If there was no Key Club I don't think I'd be the same person I am today. I don't know what would have happened to get me out of the house and interacting with people, especially people my own age.”

New Weekly dance classes for children in Sheffield

Phoenix Dance Theatre is excited to launch the brand-new dance class – IGNITE. Weekly Wednesday classes are aimed at energetic and enthusiastic children aged 11-16 years who want to come together to express themselves through movement. Classes are suitable for absolute beginners as well as for those more experienced dancers. Sessions build physical strength, focus, confidence and dance skills, while offering a clear route of progression through to our pre-vocational training provision – Phoenix Youth Academy.

We offer children the opportunity to showcase their talent and work at regular studio sharings for parents/carers, and at the company’s Summer Dance Platform event which runs at the end of the summer term. Those enrolled in weekly classes have opportunities to perform throughout the year at both theatre and outdoor events. All children enrolled and accepted to the class must intend to attend each weekly session.

These weekly Wednesday sessions run throughout the academic year at All Saints Academy, Granville Road, S2 2RJ

Cost: £25 each Half Term

Bursaries and sibling discounts are available.

Term dates:

Autumn 2nd Half Term: 2 November – 7 December 2022
Spring 1st Half Term: 11 January – 8 February 2023
Spring 2nd Half Term: 22 February – 29 March 2023

This short textile course will introduce you to the art of freehand machine embroidery. Learn how to create texture and pattern with thread, transferring images and drawing in a unique way. During the course you will produce lots of samples and be encouraged to collect and explore visual ideas in a sketchbook, developing these to create a mini project of your own design.

There are no formal for this course apart from being 19+. All we ask is that you come with enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.

Read me aloud