We offer opportunities to explore technical theatre, stage management and design for young people aged 11-18.

Our courses and masterclasses give creative young people the opportunity to gain a real insight into drama school training and the wider 'backstage' industries. Specialist classes are delivered by a variety of professionals, in skills including lighting, sound, stage management, prop making, costume and set design. 

Across a two-day short course, you will have the chance to try a variety of backstage roles and skills in a series of hands-on workshops with specialist tutors who are working professionals. No previous experience is necessary - just an interest in getting creative, an enjoyment of making things, and a willingness to get stuck in!

There are opportunities for anyone who is interested in learning some of the skills required for careers in: 

We are committed to giving every young person aged 11 - 18 with a passion for theatre the opportunity to benefit from the specialist drama training delivered by RWCMD, regardless of experience or financial means.

We place great importance on making our courses accessible to all young people who have a genuine interest in theatre, if you have any questions regarding financial support please get in touch.

Interested in studying a performing arts subject at university in 2027?

A three-day residential summer school
28th - 30th July 2026

Engage in a taste of first year life. Experience student accommodation. Explore LIPA and Liverpool. GET SET to take the next step.

What do you do on Get Set?

Is Get Set for you?

This summer school is for students who are currently in Year 12 or equivalent and will be under the age of 18 at the end of July 2026. To join us you must also meet one of the following eligibility criteria:

British Academy of Dramatic Combat Standard Level Certification in Unarmed Combat 

Want to try your hand at fighting for stage and screen and gain an industry recognised certification in the process? Then join us for Dramatic Combat this Summer!

This 5-day intensive course focuses on the fundamental skills and principles required for performing effective, believable and safe unarmed (hand to hand) combat for stage and screen- the most frequently used skill in any actor-combatant’s toolkit.

The training will enable participants to gain understanding and confidence in physical techniques and performance skills, participants will learn how to:

The training is progressive and culminates in a fight performance which is assessed by a British Academy of Dramatic Combat Examiner. Participants perform a choreographed fight with a partner within the context of a scripted scene. If successful, performers will attain a BADC Standard Level Certification in Unarmed Combat, which is industry recognised by Equity and Spotlight.

Due to the nature of the course minimum training hours are required to enter the Examination therefore you must have 100% attendance for the full 5 days. Please note that the course is intensive, very active and requires sustained mental and physical engagement each day.

Stage and screen combat practice is designed to be inclusive for the management of pre existing conditions or learning needs. Please mention this information on sign up so the the tutor can be informed prior to the start of the course. 

The Opera North Youth Orchestra (ONYO) forms part of the Opera North Youth Company. It serves to help dedicated young musicians transition from further or higher education into the professional world of music.

Drawing inspiration from the orchestral and opera work of Opera North, the Youth Orchestra prepares and performs two programmes of challenging repertoire each academic year. Rehearsing in the Orchestra of Opera North rehearsal studios, the Youth Orchestra provides opportunities to learn the musical and non-musical intricacies of working within a high-level orchestra whilst gaining further experience with orchestral and operatic repertoire and having fun!

Players travel from all over the North and Midlands to gain experience, make new friends and great music!

Rehearsal dates for the 26-27 academic year are as follows:

Autumn term – Project 1
Sunday 11 October 2026
Saturday 24 October
Sunday 25 October
Wednesday 28 October
Thursday 29 October
Friday 30 October
Sunday 1 November – Concert: Dewsbury Town Hall

Spring term – Project 2 
Sunday 24th January 2027
Sunday 7th February
Sunday 21st February
Sunday 7th March
Saturday 20th March
Sunday 21 March – Concert: Dewsbury Town Hall

Course Outline

This course has been designed to provide trainees with the appropriate skills and knowledge to work at height safely using personal fall protection equipment and fall protection systems and undertake a rescue of an operative that has fallen or become incapacitated and is suspended in their harness. The course includes selection of equipment, pre-use inspection, anchor types and methods of work at height and fall arrest, rescuing a casualty from fall arrest and work positioning lanyards using prepacked rescue equipment, specifically the Petzl JAG rescue kit.

Theory

Practical

Assessment

On completion of the course the trainees will have:

Dates available

Mon 6 - Tues 7 July

Mon 7 - Tues 8 September

Thurs 15 - Fri 16th October

Mon 9 -Tues 10 November

Mon 7 - Tues 8 December

A comprehensive program designed to provide trainees with essential knowledge and skills related to safe lifting operations and the use of lifting equipment. This course has a bias towards hands-on practical training, focusing on the safe and efficient assembly and disassembly of rigging equipment commonly used in live event rigging operations. Trainees will learn about industry best practices, relevant legislation, and practical techniques to work as a rigger safely and effectively, ensuring they can contribute to a safer working environment.

On completion of the course, trainees will:

On completion of the course trainees will have:

Dates available

Wed 9 - Fri 11 - September 2026

Mon 5 - Weds 7 October 2026

Weds 4 - Fri 6 November 2026

Wed 2 - Fri 4 December 2026

ACTING WORKSHOPS Further Than The Edge Productions are running weekly Open Level Acting Workshops for adults in two Camden venues. A motivating, fun and safe space for beginners, and people with experience who want to develop existing skills.

Develop your creativity, your skills of voice, space and movement, work collaboratively on improvisation and scripts, have fun, build your confidence.

These are open level workshops, so no previous acting training is required, but you must be prepared to work with other people - communicate and collaborate, and move around the space. You will also read/use extracts of playtexts/scripts.

Where and When:

2 sessions per week, 2 different venues - Wednesdays and Fridays

mornings 10am - 12.30pm

starting

Friday Oct 3rd to Dec 5th - Euston venue

and

Weds Oct 8th to Dec 10th - Swiss Cottage venue

contact@furtherthantheedge.co

The Roundhouse Poetry Collective is a year-long programme for emerging poets to create and experiment with their writing, develop their performance, learn about the industry and join a supportive community in the heart of London’s spoken word scene.

Although you don’t require professional experience, we are looking for poets looking to commit to advancing their skills in writing, performing or seeking a creative career. Whether you’ve been attending writing classes for a while or are a frequent open mic performer, we would love to hear from you.

What you’ll gain:

Monday 27th July – Friday 14th August

Times: 09:30-15:30

Each week will have a unique theme designed to inspire and challenge young people through Performing Arts (drama, dance, and singing) and Creative Arts (art, crafts, drawing painting, puppetry and more). This journey will encourage them to explore and express their opinions, thoughts, and emotions while delving into various aspects of the world around them. Whether through acting, dance, music, or visual arts, they will be invited to interrogate and interpret a specific societal issue, cultural topic, or local and personal experience, using their creative talents as a tool for deeper understanding. During the course of the 3 week summer school, participants will be asked to engage with questions such as:

Through this process, they will not only hone their artistic skills but also gain a more profound connection to the world, questioning and reshaping the narratives that shape their lives and communities.

The week culminates in an exciting performance, where everyone can showcase the incredible work they’ve created. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to grow their confidence, make new friends, and be part of an amazing collective effort.

Book before the 17th April 2026 to receive £20 off per week

Mischief Comedy have just announced the next round of their workshops for professionals looking for CPD:

HOW TO APPROACH COMEDIC TEXT

Unleash your inner Mischief Maker and dive into the world of comedic text with Mischief!

Led by a Mischief Member, this course takes you through the Mischief method of working with comedic text. Each week, you’ll explore key comedic techniques. From understanding the classic clown archetypes (Auguste, Bizarre, Naive) to mastering status dynamics, using scenes from Peter Pan Goes Wrong to help illustrate the power of status shifts in comedy. Alongside these core concepts, you’ll explore the art of masking, audience interaction, and the importance of timing, learning how to facilitate comedic moments even when you’re not delivering the punchline.

Each week, we’ll explore a new area of study, equipping participants with a diverse set of skills to deepen their understanding of comedic text brought to life in a supportive, playful environment, where making mistakes is part of the fun. Ideal for actors and performers looking to develop their confidence and ability to interpret and perform comedic text.

This course is ideal for aspiring performers currently in, or soon to be entering, the performance industry.

IMPROVISATION FOR ACTORS

Learn story structure and joke structure through long-form improvisation. We will teach participants how to build stories using emotional and character connection, encouraging ways of creating comedy without the need to “be funny”.

Join a Mischief founding member as they you through some of the fundamental principles used to create Mischief’s multi award-winning global hits The Play That Goes WrongPeter Pan Goes Wrong, the BBC TV series The Goes Wrong Show, and many more.

This course is designed for performers who are either currently working in, or about to enter, the performance industry.

For all the information, including available dates, head over to the opportunity link.

Read me aloud