The Cockpit
Step ‘Behind the Curtain’ and take part in a free backstage taster workshop. Explore the work of the sound, stage management, and lighting teams in theatre, and discover the technical skills that bring a show to life.
This workshop is for those aged 13–17 who are curious about how the magic of theatre really happens. You’ll get hands-on experience, trying out equipment, learning the basics of each backstage role, and meeting inspiring professionals working in the industry today.
Whether you love tech, teamwork, or just discovering something new, this workshop is the perfect first step into the creative world of backstage. No experience necessary.
These free workshops are developed in partnership with Backstage Niche.
Learn it. Try it. Make it happen.
Guildhall School announce 15 Easter 2026 short courses (6 of which are brand new!) for ages 18 and up. These include 4 drama courses, 2 new writing courses, and 1 new skills for the creative industry course.
Below is a selection of courses which may be of particular interest, with full course listings and links to the relevant web pages. The deadline to book for all Easter short courses is 5pm, Thursday 2 April 2026, or when the course reaches full capacity.
NEW COURSES:
Drama
Writing
Skills for creative industries
FULL LISTINGS:
Drama
Writing
Skills for creative industries
Easter Short Courses:
Drama Courses
IN-PERSON COURSES
Introduction to Screen Acting (Ages 18+) (in person)
Delivered in person from Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 April 2026, 10am – 5pm
This two-day course will introduce participants to the techniques and skills required for acting in film and television. Learn key techniques including how to prepare for a scene, be present and how to connect with their scene partner, to give authentic and truthful performances. Taught by actor, director, screenwriter, acting coach and lecturer Ryan Laccohee (Maisie Raine, Coronation Street, A&E and Silent Witness), this course is for anyone aged 18 and over interested in acting for screen.
Audition Technique: Acting (Ages 17+) (in person)
Delivered in person from Saturday 11 – Sunday 12 April 2026, 10am–5pm
This two-day course taught by Guildhall alumnus Ashley Zhangaza will give participants an insight and introduction into the tools they need to succeed. The course is for anyone aged 17 and over who has an interest in acting and would be interested in applying for Drama School or equivalent programme. During the course they will look at how to choose a speech and what to look for, practical exercises that can be used to unlock the speech and enhance understanding, discussion on the audition environment and techniques to encourage relaxation and readiness, tips and techniques to bring the speech to life. Participants will need to choose a Shakespeare speech and a modern speech that they connect with in advance of the course.
(NEW) Acting Intensive for (Ages 11–14) (in person)
Delivered in person fromTuesday 7 – Thursday 9 April 2026, 9.30am–5.30pm
This new three-day intensive acting course from anyone aged 11-14 years old, delves into modern industry practice, building upon traditional Stanislavsky-based methods. The course draws on aspects of Utah Hagen, Susan Batson and Meisner providing an efficient toolkit of tips to lift participants’ text from the page to the stage. Taught by Guildhall alumnus Aled Patrick, participants will explore a number of different scenes and monologues through the lens of various acting tools.
(NEW) Acting Intensive (Ages 15–17) (in person)
Delivered in person Friday 10 – Sunday 12 April 2026, 9.30am–5.30pm
This new three-day intensive acting course for anyone aged 15-17 years old delves into modern industry practice, building upon traditional Stanislavsky-based methods. The course draws on aspects of Utah Hagen, Susan Batson and Meisner providing an efficient toolkit of tips to lift your text from the page to the stage. Taught by Guildhall alumnus Aled Patrick, participants will gain a strong toolkit to unpack and analyse a variety of texts in preparation for performance and auditions.
Writing Courses
IN PERSON COURSES
(NEW) Creative Writing (Ages 14-17) (in person)
Easter Course: Delivered in person from Saturday 11 and Sunday 12 April 2026, 10am – 4pm
In this new two-day course, participants will explore a range of literary texts including poetry and fiction, and will use artwork, photographs and songs to inspire their own creative writing. Participants will learn to draft and develop their own stories and explore the best ways to present, perform and publish them. Led by London writer Annie Hayter, this course is for anyone aged 14 to 17 with an interest in creative writing.
(NEW) Writing a Solo Show (Ages 18+) (in person)
Delivered in person from Saturday 11 – Sunday 12 April 2026, 10am–5pm
The new course is a dynamic two-day course designed to help participants create a one-person performance from scratch. Whether they have a story, a character, or simply the desire to perform their own work, this intensive course will guide participants from idea to page — and ultimately to stage. The course is taught by award-winning writers and performers Maddie Rice and Tom Machell. Maddie Rice is known for her work on Fleabag (2016), Every Blank Ever (2018) and Handy (2019). Whilst Tom Machell is an award‑winning writer and performer from Newcastle upon Tyne, whose credits include the BBC Radio 4 sitcom Tom and Lauren are Going OOT! (2024) and the play Toast F**K (2024). As an actor Tom has recently appeared in Vera (ITV), Hullraisers (Channel 4) and Emmerdale (ITV).
Music Production in Logic Pro Intensive (Ages 14-17) (in person)
Delivered in person from Tuesday 7 – Friday 10 April 2026, 10am–5pm
This four-day course aimed at beginners aged 14 to 17 will introduce essential elements of Logic Pro, allowing you to get producing, composing and mixing. Covering sampling, synthesis, drum machines, MIDI instruments and audio mixing, the course taught David Corney will give participants the skills to realise your musical visions. Participants will be encouraged to be creative and produce their own tracks daily, with the aim of having a three-minute track by the end of the course.
Skills for creative industries
IN PERSON COURSES
(NEW) Creative Evaluation Methods: A Practical Masterclass (Ages 18+) (in person)
Delivered in person on Friday 10 April 2026, 10.30am–5pm
This new one-day in-person masterclass taught by Dr Maia Mackney explores innovative, creative, and arts-based approaches to evaluation and research. Through hands-on practice and collaborative co-design, participants will gain practical experience with creative methods and develop bespoke techniques tailored to their projects.
Westminster City Council is pleased to launch its Inside Out grants programme in advance of August 2026, when our popular monthly long outdoor celebration of arts and culture, delivered with partners, will return. This free and inclusive festival brings the city’s world-renowned arts, entertainment and culture into the streets and open spaces of Westminster for all to enjoy. The programme showcases live performances, cultural walking tours, outdoor exhibitions, intergenerational workshops, sculpture trails, installations and a range of other pop-up activities, all in accessible outdoor locations.
We retained a spotlight on West End this year, while also ensuring the festival reached across the borough to reach more of our communities. You can explore information about all the 2025 programme events here. Our extraordinary cultural institutions and community organisations are, of course, at the heart of Inside Out’s success. To encourage participation this dedicated grants programme will again contribute to the costs of partner activities.
Applicants can apply for between £1,000 and £10,000 until the deadline of 2 April 2026. All the guidance and application form are provided here. Please note the information road closures and venue partners. As usual, preference will be given to applicants based in Westminster.
Free space for artistic or community events.
Applications are now open!
Calling all curators, organisers, and facilitators!
We are calling out for people who want to create space for others, whether that’s through a collective, workshop, discussion series, creative gathering, skill share, or something we haven’t thought of yet. If you have an idea that brings people together and builds real community, we want to support you in making it happen.
Deli Meets is our community-led workshop programme, open to people who want to explore an idea and facilitate for the first time. The only prerequisite we have is that your Deli Meets is open and free for anyone to attend.
We offer free daytime and evening use of our Leadenhall Street café/bar space, plus access to private rooms if your sessions need them. You will get the chance to build on our existing community of artists right in the centre of London with additional marketing support, all completely free of charge!
The call is open to all but priority will be given to residents based in Tower Hamlets and the City of London, or those creating activity for those specific communities. We’re also particularly interested in proposals that people will return to, projects that grow, gather, and create a sense of shared ownership over time.
Previous Deli Meets have been: Womxn’s Writers Network, Queer Theatre Makers Meet-Up, Script Reading Socials, Black Lives Natter and Sustainable Puppet Making Workshops.
Applications are now open for sessions that will run between Mid April - Mid June.
Please apply via our form at this link: https://forms.gle/MreNRbGaWJ5BLjoh7
The deadline is the 23rd of March, 12pm If you require an alternative format or question please email producer@theatredeli.co.uk
Not sure if your project is right for Deli Meets? Please get in touch with us at producer@theatredeli.co.uk, we are more than happy to help answer any questions!
I had the opportunity to work with Theatre Deli through their Deli Meets program from October to December 2023, where I first introduced my 'Stretching Through Trauma' classes. During that period, Theatre Deli provided an incredible platform to test out the structure of my classes, and their supportive environment made all the difference. Since then, I’ve been able to develop a regular schedule for these sessions, establishing a solid client base that continues to grow. Theatre Deli’s commitment to fostering creative and therapeutic initiatives like mine has been essential in helping me refine the approach and expand its reach. I’m truly grateful for the space and encouragement they’ve offered, making Theatre Deli feel like the perfect home for this work.
Emily Haldane, Deli Meets 2024
Join Masterclass for a Q&A with stars of stage and screen, Hugh Bonneville and Maggie Siff, on the set of their West End show, Shadowlands.
Beyond his notable TV and film roles – including Downton Abbey and Paddington– Hugh has built an extensive stage career, working with the Royal Shakespeare Company, the Donmar Warehouse, the Old Vic and Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. Similarly, alongside roles in Mad Men and Sons of Anarchy, Maggie has worked in theatres across New York and the wider US, appearing in works from new writing to classics by Shakespeare and Ibsen.
They’ll dive into their collaborative process, the challenges of bringing the complex characters of Shadowlands to life, and balancing authenticity with creation.
🔥 Bring your questions and don’t miss this opportunity to hear two critically-acclaimed actors discuss storytelling, craft and the timeless power of theatre.
📅 Friday 20 March
⏱️ 3.30-5.00pm
📍 Aldwych Theatre
🎟️ Book your place and submit your questions by visiting the webpage linked below.
During this programme you will:
You will do all of this with the guidance and support of acclaimed disabled director, Hana Pascal Keegan.
Hana, is also an experienced director of accessible, inclusive spaces. Hana will be joined by a team of other artists along the way.
You must be available for the dates below to take part in this project
Sign up via the form below or register by contacting us on 020 8510 4512
Koro Lab supports migrant and Global Majority creatives to develop bold immersive, interactive and site-specific work through artist development and R&D commissions.
Taking place in spring-summer 2026, the programme includes training, mentoring, production support and seed funding, delivered in partnership with arts and heritage venues.
It will culminate in Koro Festival, a new biennial festival of socially engaged immersive and site-specific performance in May 2027.
Between April and October 2026, nine artists or companies will receive:
• Training: A two-day programme of workshops on immersive and site-specific theatre-making on 7-8 May
• Space: One week of free R&D space at Shoreditch Town Hall, Theatre Deli or Wellcome Collection
• Seed funding: A £2,500 bursary
• Showcasing opportunities: A public sharing with professional filming and photography
• Production support: Mentoring, production and fundraising support from the Koro team and collaboration with an access consultant
Open Spaces bursaries: For four artists creating new immersive or interactive performances responding to current social, political, economic, or climate challenges, culminating in a joint sharing at Shoreditch Town Hall on 30th September.
Wellcome Collection bursary: For an artist developing a new immersive or interactive piece exploring questions of health, inspired by Wellcome Collection’s archives or collections, with a sharing at Wellcome Collection's studio space.
Marketplace bursaries: For three migrant artists creating new interactive work for high streets, marketplaces, and outdoor public spaces, leading to a weekend of short public performances at Leadenhall Market on 18-19th September.
Site-specific bursary: For an artist developing work for a particular place, e.g. public libraries, cafés, museum galleries or green spaces, with a site-specific sharing in September.
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More info: Before submitting your application, please read the Information for applicants, for full details about the opportunity and eligibility criteria.
Application form: Apply here
Application questions: This Word document can be used to prepare your application offline.
Closing date: 15th March 2026
Questions and access support: Please check our Frequently Asked Questions. If you have any other questions about your application - including personal access costs or submitting in an alternative format - please contact programme@koro.org.uk
For facilitators, educators, and creative leaders who want to lead with impact, empathy, and embodied creativity.
Lead is a two-day residency designed for practitioners working in education, community and participatory arts. Rooted in Gecko’s physical theatre methodology, it offers practical tools and inspiration for leading dynamic, inclusive spaces that centre physical expression and emotional connection.
WHO IS IT FOR?
This programme is suitable for facilitators, teachers, and creative practitioners working in:
Participants must be comfortable with highly physical, collaborative work.
Gecko is committed to diversity, inclusion and equality within the arts and welcomes applications from all backgrounds.
WHAT WILL I BE DOING?
Participants will explore:
WHAT WILL I GAIN?
WHEN IS IT?
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST?
WHERE WILL IT TAKE PLACE?
ARE THERE ANY BURSARY PLACES AVAILABLE?
Gecko is committed to creating opportunities for those who are underrepresented in the arts, and we particularly welcome applications from artists from the global majority, those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, and d/Deaf, neurodivergent and disabled artists.
We will be offering a limited number of bursary places for this residency, which cover the participation fee. To apply for a bursary please complete this section of the application form to tell us a little about your background, circumstances and why receiving a bursary would enable you to take part in this opportunity.
Bursary places are intended for applicants who would otherwise not be able to take part for financial reasons. If you are able to participate without financial support, we kindly ask that you do not apply for a bursary. We do offer a finance plan to help spread the costs if this would better support your access.
Please note that participants will need to arrange their own travel and accommodation.
“This is the best my disability has been treated in any of the training I've done…it means so much to me that I had such a smooth and joyous time.” - Spring ‘23 Residency Participant
