Perfect for playwrights at any stage of their careers, our Playwrights Club offers the chance to join a local writing community and receive support and feedback on a play in development.
At monthly sessions you’ll be able to share and discuss a script you’re working on, as well as take part in creative exercises designed to fire your imagination and support your writing. You’ll also have the opportunity to share your work at Play, Pizza, Pint: Shorts Showcase event in February 2026.
Playwrights Club is free to join and open to everyone aged over 16. Tickets are pay what you can. You will be able to select from either a £0, £5 or £10 ticket. Alternatively, you can use the donation box to select a custom amount. Your donations will help to ensure that our engagement and participation programme remain free and open to all.
All sessions take place at the Eastern Angles Centre.
Each session will be hybrid with the option to join via Zoom or in person. We are committed to supporting artists based in or from East Anglia, but given our region is the size of Wales we know not everyone will be able to attend in person.
Mondays, 19 May, 16 June, 21 July, 6.30-8pm | £2 per session | 18-25
Do you love writing poetry? Want to expand your knowledge of the art form? Our monthly Poetry Writing Drop-In is the perfect place to explore your work in a supportive environment with fellow writers and experienced tutors. Whether you’re a seasoned poet or just starting out, everyone is welcome at these inclusive sessions.
What you get
Meet the tutors
Monday 19 May: Talia Randall is a multi-award winning audio producer, poet and performer. Talia’s poetry books include, ‘Proverbs for a Woman Drinking Alone’ and ‘Eighty Two’ (Broken Sleep Books). Talia’s audio work includes the podcast series ‘Blossom Trees and Burnt-Out Cars’, one of Pod Bible’s ‘Best podcasts of the year’ and recommended by The Guardian.
Talia is also the creator of ‘What Words Are Ours?’ a poetry cabaret that features Deaf and hearing artists on the same stage.
Monday 16 June: Rachel Long founded Octavia Poetry Collective for Women of Colour, which was housed at the Southbank Centre, in London, from 2015 to 2020. Her debut collection, My Darling from the Lions (Picador, U.K, 2020 / Tin House, US, 2021) was shortlisted for the Forward Prize for Best First Collection, The Costa Book Award, The Rathbones Folio Prize, the Jhalak Prize Book of the Year by a Writer of Colour, and The Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award.
Monday 21 July: Cecilia Knapp is a poet and novelist and the Young People’s Laureate for London 2020/2021. She was shortlisted for the 2022 Forward prize for best single poem. She is the winner of the 2021 Ruth Rendell award and has been shortlisted for the Rebecca Swift Women’s prize. Her debut poetry collection Peach Pig was published by Corsair in 2022 and was the Observer’s poetry book of the month for October. Her poems have appeared in The Financial Times, Granta and The White Review. She curated the anthology Everything is Going to be alright: Poems for When You Really Need Them, published by Trapeze in 2021. Her debut novel Little Boxes is published by The Borough Press. In 2023, Little Boxes was longlisted for The Authors Club Best First Novel Award. Cecilia teaches poetry in a number of settings and is the lead tutor of the Roundhouse Poetry Collective.
Do I need any particular skills or experience to take part?
No, this drop-in is open to all levels of experience.
How to join
This is a drop in session which means there’s no need to book beforehand, just arrive and pay £2 at the front desk.
Please note spaces are limited and filled on a first come, first serve basis. Booking opens 30 minutes beforehand (6pm), and we recommend arriving at least 10 minutes early to secure a space, sign up and pay.
I’M NOT SURE I CAN AFFORD TO TAKE PART…
If you need help to pay for things like project fees, transport or childcare, we can help. Find out how you can get support. If you are using a bursary to pay for the project, please ensure you arrange this with the Advice Base with plenty of time before the start of the project.
I HAVE ADDITIONAL NEEDS. WHAT SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE?
We are committed to supporting D/deaf, disabled and neurodiverse young people, those with medical conditions, access requirements or any lived experience that may require adaptation, support or sensitivity. If there is anything you would like to let us (our youth workers, tutors or staff) know that will support your enjoyment and access, you can do so by emailing us at advicebase@roundhouse.org.uk, and we will contact you to discuss further how to best support your engagement.
Wednesdays, 7 May - 16 July, 6.45 - 8.30pm | £2 per session | 18-25
Looking for a space to create and explore performance? This weekly drop-in is for people who want to keep practising theatre and movement without having to commit to a full course.
Each week will focus on a different topic to spark ideas for work you might want to develop further outside of the sessions. Each session is stand-alone, so you can come to as many or as few as you like and still gain valuable skills.
Topics covered in each session include (subject to change):
What you get
Meet the tutors
Phao May is a Movement Director, Director, Choreographer and Facilitator, working across stage and screen in London. She attained a foundation in Acting from RADA in 2014, and later an MA in Movement Directing and Teaching from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in 2022. She has collaborated with Soho Theatre, The Bush, and National Youth Theatre and created work for Edinburgh Fringe and The Vaults. Her creative work spans plays, devised work, commercials, music videos and live comedy, working with trained actors and musicians, community groups and comedians.
Isaac Jordan is a theatre director, writer and facilitator. His work focuses on the intersection of community heritage, theatre and storytelling, exploring ways to celebrate and strengthen everyday communities. In addition to working with the Roundhouse, he has collaborated with organisations including the Natural History Museum, SPID Theatre, the Pink Singers, UCL, Half Moon Theatre and Richmond Theatre.
Plus guests! Some sessions will include featured artists who are experienced in script writing, comedy and more.
Do you need any particular skills or experience to take part?
You don’t need any specific skills but this will be most relevant to people who have done at least a bit of theatre or dance before. Open to all levels – we welcome back people who have attended previous terms.
How to join
This is a drop in session which means there’s no need to book beforehand, just arrive and pay £2 at the front desk.
Please note spaces are limited and filled on a first come, first serve basis. Booking opens from 6pm and we recommend arriving at least 10-15 minutes early to secure a space, sign up and pay.
I’M NOT SURE I CAN AFFORD TO TAKE PART…
If you need help to pay for things like project fees, transport or childcare, we can help. Find out how you can get support. If you are using a bursary to pay for the project, please ensure you arrange this with the Advice Base with plenty of time before the start of the project.
I HAVE ADDITIONAL NEEDS. WHAT SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE?
We are committed to supporting D/deaf, disabled and neurodiverse young people, those with medical conditions, access requirements or any lived experience that may require adaptation, support or sensitivity. If there is anything you would like to let us (our youth workers, tutors or staff) know that will support your enjoyment and access, you can do so by emailing us at advicebase@roundhouse.org.uk, and we will contact you to discuss further how to best support your engagement.
The Lyric Hammersmith Theatre is looking for adults who are part of the Global Majority to take part in a Creative Response Project to Marriage Material.
Over 3 weeks, led by Neetu Singh, you will creatively explore the themes of our upcoming main house show, Marriage Material, by Gupreet Kaur Bhatti. You will work as a company to create and perform a brand new show in the Lyric Hammersmith Studio on Friday 27 June 2025 for an invited audience!
This is open to all levels of abilities and no previous performance or theatre experience is required. We particularly encourage applicants from a South Asian heritage, or who are neuro divergent, d/Deaf, disabled, part of the LGBTQ+ community, those from low-income households, those in care, are care leavers, or are carers.
Explore contemporary performance to develop your creativity, critical thinking and practical skills for a career in creative industries and beyond
Drama in the School of Arts and Humanities provides an exciting and challenging programme with an emphasis on contemporary performance practices. Our approach to teaching and learning integrates theories and practices of performance in order to extend our understanding of Drama as an art form in its social, political and cultural contexts.
Our expert lecturing staff are internationally-recognised researchers with a range of industry-related experience. Students are able to take advantage of our nationally-acknowledged teaching expertise and will have opportunities to extend their experience of contemporary performance practices through contact with part-time staff and key visiting lecturers. The Drama programmes benefit from extensive links with theatre practitioners and key Irish theatre companies, who use our spaces for performances and delivering practice-based workshops.
Drama allows students to learn in a rigorous and stimulating environment where they are encouraged to develop essential skills as thinking creative practitioners.
Secondary School age? 11-18? Looking for something to do in the school holidays? A break from revising and exams? Come and join us for three full days at Theatre Porto in May Half Term – completely free.
This half term we will be offering the opportunity to local young people to work in a professional theatre space with a number of different creatives and explore: theatre making, script performing and writing, set design, videography, arts, crafts, painting and much more! No previous theatre or arts experience needed – just come and give things a try!
So whatever you might be interested in there will be something for you to enjoy and the chance to build a new network of friends too – just bring your imagination, curiosity and enthusiasm. Let’s get creative!
Relaxed, welcoming and fun!
Dates 27, 28 and 29 May 2025
Please note that due to funding, priority will be given to young people residing in Central & Grange area.
If you're starting university in 2025/26, you could be eligible for our new bursary to help cover the cost of student essentials like a laptop, bedding, kitchenware and more
The Save the Student Bursary is a set amount of £750, with six awards up for grabs.
The bursary will be paid through JS Group's Aspire service, a tool used by tens of thousands of students at dozens of UK universities, allowing the safe and secure delivery of funds.
This money is intended to help you pay for anything you might need when you start university. This could include:
We look forward to receiving your application!
This year's Optimist Summer 2025 course is suitable for emerging producers, artists, and creative practitioners who are hoping to develop their skills as professional producers, or as a producer of their own work, in the subsidised arts sector.
Drawing on China Plate’s extensive experience and real examples in theatre producing, The Optimists provides knowledge and insight on the practicalities of making, funding, touring, and promoting your work.
The Optimists course is led by China Plate, with the support of guest industry experts and speakers.
The course is open to participants nationwide, and those working across different art forms (e.g., dance, live art, spoken word, etc.) but has a particular focus on producing and touring live work in the theatre industry.
Sessions: 10 in-person sessions taking place over 7 weeks
Dates: Between Saturday 14 June and Saturday 2 August 2025
Location: Venues across the West Midlands
Spaces: For up to 20 participants
Costs:
Bursaries are available, covering the full cost of the course, to those who have faced prejudice, discrimination and/or cultural barriers due to factors including (but not limited to) race, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, neurodiversity, socioeconomic status, and geographic location.
Deadline for applications is 12pm (midday) on Friday 23 May
Please visit our website for more information about the course, including application guidelines and details on how to apply. Accessible formats are available, including BSL & captioned and audio introductions about the course, alongside large print formats.
If you have any questions, please contact our Training & Development Producer, Kristina through the email address shared below.
A series of workshops for anyone aged 16 to 21, equipping participants with the skills to collaborate, create and perform both as individuals and a part of an ensemble.
Rooted in the Burnt Orange ensemble philosophy and inspired by Open World Facilitation, Makers' sessions are responsive and reactive, adapting to suit the needs, interests and passions of participants. Each session you will have the opportunity to explore performing, scripted work, writing, devising, directing and any other role that may be of interest.
We will host a showcase at the end of term to celebrate the work created by participants.
Sessions are hosted on May 4, May 18 and June 1
If the cost would be a barrier to participation, contact the Burnt Orange team through the email address shared below for a free bursary place.
A free, four-day intensive theatre-making experience designed for actors, writers, and directors who are ready to push their creative boundaries.
Guided by our core team, you'll be placed into small interdisciplinary teams including a writer, director and up to 5 actors, taking ownership of the creative process. You will explore different styles and techniques, generate material and refine your work through rehearsal, development and collaboration.
Over four days you'll build a brand new piece of theatre, take part in workshops hosted by external practitioners, and develop your personal toolkit.
Masterclass is a fast-paced, high-energy experience, offering professional development, creative risk-taking, and an exciting opportunity to meet and collaborate with like-minded artists.
The course will take place on May 27-30, from 10am-4pm in Hammersmith.
