Here we round up some educational offerings from theatres across the country, including confidence-boosting sessions and creative tours for school groups.
On a school trip to the theatre, you raise the curtain on a whole new world of learning. Backstage tours and workshops can tie into everything from maths and art to English literature and drama. Read on to see what experiences are out there for the whole class…
Curve Theatre, Leicester
The Curve offers both educational workshops and Theatre Days throughout the year. The former can be booked to accompany a show and be tailored to a specific theme or issue linked to the performance, or focus on a topic like careers in the theatre. The latter sessions last two hours and give pupils the chance to learn how a show is made at the Curve.
Students can learn about rehearsal techniques from cast members and creatives before experiencing a technical demonstration highlighting how sound, lighting, set, and costume can be used to create different effects.
The theatre also runs behind the scenes tours and provides additional learning resources for specific shows throughout the year.
Contact: learning@curvetheatre.co.uk
Hope Mill Theatre, Manchester
Taking place in the theatre’s community hub, Hope Mill’s workshops are available to nursery, primary and secondary school pupils.
Options for primary schools include Acting Introduction, Improvisation, and Characterisation sessions. Secondary workshops focus on themes such as Acting Fundamentals, Characterisation, and Improvisation.
The theatre also offers dance and singing workshops and provides additional education packs filled with drama, English and art tasks for certain productions throughout the year.
Contact: info@hopemilltheatre.co.uk
Sheffield Theatres
As well as offering discounted production tickets for educational groups, Sheffield Theatres runs backstage tours and workshops for both primary and secondary schools.
The Behind the Magic session for primary children gives pupils the chance to act as playwrights, storytellers, designers and performers whist working on skills like literacy.
The Masterclasses for secondary students, meanwhile, let them spend a half day learning about topics such as lighting, sound, prop making, special effects, stage combat, directing or script writing.
Contact: s.erskine@sheffieldtheatres.co.uk
Leeds Heritage Theatres
In addition to theatre tours that focus on what it was like to be a Victorian theatre-goer, Leeds Heritage Theatres offers a series of workshops for both primary and secondary groups.
Key Stage 1 sessions include Imaginary Settings, which links to National Curriculum objectives for creative writing.
Key Stage 2 teachers can choose between five workshops such as Spotlights and Sound Effects and Victorian Music Hall. Then for Key Stage 3, 4 and 5 there are Panto Skills, World of Work, and Wellbeing workshops.
Contact: learning@leedsheritagetheatres.com
Shakespeare North Playhouse
Workshops at Shakespeare North Playhouse are available Tuesday to Friday between 10am and 6pm.
The long list of sessions includes Careers, Finding Your Voice, Five Elements – which explores the parallels between hip hop and Shakespeare and links to music, art, English, creative writing, and PSHE topics – Heritage, Tragedy and Comedy.
Contact: shakespearenorthplayhouse.co.uk
Everyman and Playhouse, Liverpool
The Everyman or Playhouse Live Theatre Review Tour gives pupils the chance to go behind the scenes at the theatre before or after a show and the cost is £5 per person.
The theatre also offers workshops throughout the year including a Sustainability session, which sees pupils design their own sustainable set, honing decision-making and mathematical skills as they take on creative roles.
Contact: learning@everymanplayhouse.com
