The Electric Beans explore a variety of skills including physical theatre, performance art, singing and drama. We range from young to old and welcome all abilities. Electric Beans set out to explore real life stories through drama, physical theatre and movement workshops.

If you love acting, physical theatre, performing and don't mind a bit of hard work, then the Electric Beans are right for you. Get involved...

Days: Monday and Wednesday

Location: Wilditch Centre

Support for refugees and asylum seekers...

In 2014, West Yorkshire Playhouse became the first ever Theatre of Sanctuary, a public statement and recognition of our commitment to being a place of safety, hospitality and support for refugees and people seeking asylum.

We work closely with refugee organisations and with volunteers from the refugee and asylum seeker community in Leeds to offer a range of creative and practical projects, and we extend a warm welcome to the Playhouse community.

We have a dedicated programme of work during Refugee Week consisting of seminars, performances and workshops and throughout the year we offer a number of tailored and bespoke projects.

We provide creative programmes and one-to-one support to help participants develop their skills & explore potential career opportunities. We offer a range of support options for those still in education through to the long-term unemployed.

Our Model:
Since our establishment, Immediate Theatre has been committed to providing first-time employment opportunities and support for young people who would otherwise face significant barriers to employment.

Our programmes offer regular 1-2-1 support as well as group workshops, which aim to develop key employability skills through creative activities.

We have been providing high quality open access youth theatres on estates in Hackney since 1998. The programme has engaged thousands of participants who do not traditionally have access to arts opportunities. All our sessions are free, inclusive and open to all.

Our Model:
This established model aims to help participants develop improved interpersonal skills, artistic abilities, and emotional health & wellbeing, which has been endorsed by the Centre for Youth Impact as having a significant impact on young people. The projects are delivered within a community context and help to build community cohesion.

We are currently running nine free weekly youth theatres on Estates across Hackney for young people from ages 5-25, including a dedicated session for young people with disabilities. We also offer school holiday projects which provide participants with hot food or refreshments. We offer accreditation for participants, which include AQAs, and regularly submit young people for achievement awards.

Dedicated SEND Group (12-25)
We run a dedicated session for young people aged 12-25 with disabilities on Monday evenings. The weekly drama sessions provide a fun and supportive environment for participants to express themselves.

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).

Ballet, as well as being both a beautiful and a highly technical dance, is also great fun and a perfect way to keep yourself fit and in shape. Come and experience Ballet in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.

If you are a complete beginner who has always fancied trying a ballet class but not sure if it will be for you, take one of our Ballet Taster Classes. You’ll get a flavour of what ballet is about before you sign up for our longer course.

BALLET TASTER CLASSES CONTENT
Skills Explored:

- Understand posture and awareness of your body in space.
- Develop basic co-ordination of arms / feet / head.
- Learn basic combination of steps
- Barre exercises and stretches including learning each exercise name and meaning
This taster's the perfect way to make sure Ballet is definitely for you - and if it is, City Academy is the place to do it.

Dancing like there’s nobody watching – as the saying goes – is easier said than done. And for millions of people, the thought of stepping onto the dance floor is simply terrifying!

Our Absolute Beginners Dance Classes are suitable for complete beginners or for those looking to start from scratch again – those wanting to improve coordination, link moves together and find comfort and confidence in various dance styles. You'll be taught all the dance essentials: terminology, travelling steps, and, most importantly, rhythm.

ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS DANCE CLASSES CONTENT
Exact course content may differ depending on course length and your needs, but topics covered will generally include:

- Learning the basic elements of dance and movement
- Transitions and travelling steps
- Learning foundational dance step (ball change, box, chasse, etc)
- Developing an understanding of rhythm and timing
- Improving coordination skills
- Building confidence in yourself, while learning in a fun, supportive and relaxed environment
Like all of our dance lessons at City Academy, you'll receive friendly advice and feedback throughout the course.

Have you always fancied learning how to dance but are not sure whether it’s for you? Take this Absolute Beginners Dance Taster class to get a real flavour of what dance at City Academy is all about before you sign up for our longer course.

This taster is suitable for those without any dance experience – you’ll get an idea of what the Absolute Beginners Dance course is like in a supportive and fun environment, learning under the guidance of your professional teacher.

As well as being a fun introduction to the longer course, the taster is also the perfect opportunity to ask your teacher any questions you might have about dance and what to expect from City Academy's courses.

ABSOLUTE BEGINNERS DANCE TASTER CLASS CONTENT:
- Dance technique, including one of the following: rhythm, performance, turns, dynamics
- Transition and travelling steps
- A step-by-step short sequence
- Building confidence and learning to have fun whilst you dance

As with all of our dancing classes, You will receive friendly advice and feedback from your teacher throughout the class.