Blue Apple’s dance programme is designed to be a fun and creative means of developing fitness and self-expression.
"Dance helps to develop creativity, confidence and mobility. It’s also a great way to engage in exercise and is lots of fun!”
Some of us are natural dancers, but have not had the discipline of dancing with others in a routine before. Many have only danced to pop music and some are too shy to have done much of that. At Blue Apple we began by learning to be aware of others in the dance group, to move in time with each other, to react and respond, learn and remember a routine.
Through dance people with differing degrees of mobility have to think about timing and moving together, being aware of where each person is, responding to music and remembering a simple routine which may involve working in a circle, in pairs or as part of a large choreographed group. People who have never danced before appear delighted with their achievement.
We develop our dance experience in many ways. Some of us dance because we just love dancing and music and want to get fit. Some dance to help tell the story in our main shows and others tour commissioned dance performances locally and nationally.
Classes follow the school academic term.
£88 per term payable in one or two instalments. (£83 if already a Blue Apple Company member).
Our Acting Beginners Course offers an introduction to acting in a friendly and supportive atmosphere. Ideal for those with little or no acting experience, this beginners acting course provides the chance to explore acting technique in a playful and practical way.
Whether you are an aspiring performer; wish to revitalise your creativity; or simply want to try something new and build self-confidence, you will find this course active, fun and rewarding.
This course includes movement and physicality but can be adapted for accessibility issues, please email for more details.
Our music therapy sessions use sound to create a safe environment where students can explore their feelings and memories at their own pace. The therapy is tailored to them and their specific needs, and students can access it through one-to-one sessions or as part of a group.
Our specialist music therapist works closely with our occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech and language therapy teams and with education facilitators to provide the best learning environment. Sessions take place at one of our three different sensory rooms, or at a number of other locations across the campus. The therapist and student, through improvisation, will create and develop a musical language of their own. The music therapist is a full member of BAMT and is registered with the HCPC.
A typical music therapy session:
May begin with a welcome song, which may develop into an improvisation
Focuses on pre-composed music or an improvised piece, and this is directed by the student’s choice of instrument and playing style
Ends with a closing song to signal the end of the session
Our Young People's Theatres are for all young actors aged 16+. We work inclusively with learning disabled and/or autistic and neurotypical actors who perform together as equal partners.
Following the school terms, each Young People’s Theatre works towards two pieces each year created by the members and supported by professionals.
Dramatherapy is a creative psychological therapy which uses drama to stimulate creativity, imagination, insight and growth in students. These sessions focus on the individual strengths of the student, and do not rely on their verbal or cognitive ability.
Through multi-sensory activities facilitated by our dramatherapist, dramatherapy uses dramatic techniques such as storytelling, improvisation, role-play, mime, play texts, puppetry and masks to allow students to explore themselves and the world around them. It gives them space to build self-confidence, increase resilience and improve self-esteem through voice, body and creativity, which can lead to greater autonomy for self-advocacy. In addition, students learn to develop their social and interaction skills, which enables them to build trusting, healthy relationships with others.
Dramatherapy sessions can be run on an individual or group basis, and are student led. A typical session will bring creative and therapeutic approaches together to explore and develop an expression of the student’s thoughts and feelings. Our dramatherapist is a full member of BADth and is registered with the HCPC.
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
Free space to share film and digital projects.
Applications for Delivision are accepted on a rolling basis throughout the year.
Theatre Deli is inviting artists to project work onto the screen in the communal area of their Leadenhall Street venue. This is an unpaid opportunity, offering artists a platform to share their work with other creatives.
Your work can be on any theme or subject.
See our Accessibility Guide for information about access in our venue.
We particularly welcome applications from marginalised and underrepresented groups. We welcome applications from artists based in the UK and abroad.
The Performance Making Diploma is leading the way in providing high quality performance training to learning disabled and autistic artists.
Running over two years, this course nurtures new generations of exceptional learning disabled and autistic performers and theatre makers. The Performance Making Diploma gives artists the training, time and space they need to develop their work in an accessible and supportive environment.
Training is bespoke, delivered with students’ individual needs in mind, with tutors who understand Access All Areas’ methodologies for creating bold, innovative devised work by learning disabled performers. Students are encouraged to consider their own needs and wellbeing throughout the course, supported and guided by an experienced team of access professionals.
This course is run in partnership with learning disabled theatre company, Access All Areas. The course normally takes place at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, in London.
Course content:
- Working with leading industry professionals, you will create your own performances in different contemporary styles
- You will have the opportunity to think about the type of work you want to make after graduation, and will study with leading acting, casting, voice and movement tutors, developing your skills as actors
- All training is co-led by an experienced learning disabled tutor
- On graduation, you will gain a Level 2 qualification in Performance Making, and will receive personalised exit strategies to guide you through the next steps in your careers
The Level 3 in Creative Media Production is a nationally recognised qualification which has been designed to provide a highly specialist work-related programme of study. The Entry Level 3 programme gives you the knowledge, understanding and skills that are needed to prepare for employment within a general or in a particular Media sector.
The qualification is a workshop and studies based, hands-on course that can include print and film through varied set and negotiated projects and fundamentally to further develop your creative thinking and individuality.
Join us for a 10-week term of Saturday Youth Theatre COMPLETELY FREE. We have received funding to provide many more bursary places for our upcoming year of Youth Theatre. We would love to have you join us!
