Playmakers Youth Theatre return this week – with the Summer sessions running until the end of June and participants working towards shows for Winchester’s own Hat Fair festival.
The sessions are a chance for participants to explore acting, character development, story generation, and more; learn to work with others; have fun, makes friends and build confidence – with Drama & Theatre groups (School Years 3 – 6, 7 – 9 and 10+) available.
During the Summer sessions, participants (new and existing) work on shows to perform at Hat Fair – the UK’s longest running festival of Outdoor Arts, which this year takes place on Saturday 5 July.
As part of the festival, the groups perform shows across the city centre – with previous years’ groups staging their shows in locations such as P&G Wells bookshop, Winchester City Museum and Dean Garnier Garden in the grounds of Winchester Cathedral.
The youth theatre groups return after celebrating another successful Youth Takeover at Theatre Royal Winchester on Friday 04 April. The talented performers, aged School Years 2 – 10+, plus participants from the South Wonston and Wickham primary school drama clubs, performed a number of original shows inspired by Shakespeare.
The participants started working on their shows in September 2024 and they touched upon The Tempest, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, the playwright’s sonnets and the public’s perception of the bard’s work.
Looking ahead, anyone who is interested in Youth Theatre is welcome to attend a free session to determine if it’s for them by simply contacting Young People’s Producer, Shian Hunter on shian@playtothecrowd.co.uk – who can also discuss financial support (such as bursaries) with anyone who finds price is a barrier to joining.
For more information, please visit playmakers.org.uk.
Drama & Theatre (School Years 3 – 6) group sessions run on Thursdays from Thursday 24 April – Thursday 03 July – with sessions from 5.30pm – 7pm at Winchester School of Art.
Drama & Theatre (School Years 7 – 9) group sessions run on Thursdays from Thursday 24 April – Thursday 03 July – with sessions from 7pm – 8.30pm at the University of Winchester.
Drama & Theatre (School Years 10+) group sessions run on Mondays from Monday 21 April – Monday 30 June – with sessions from 6pm – 7.30pm at Winchester School of Art.
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