What can I expect from Theatre Classes for Adults?
Our Theatre Classes for Adults offers a unique opportunity to explore acting, performance and creativity in the great outdoors. Guided by professional theatre makers, participants develop their skills while connecting with others and the natural beauty of Ecclesall Woods. Our group is open to everyone—no experience needed, just bring your enthusiasm!
Throughout the year, members explore a range of exciting themes, from Shakespeare and storytelling to stage combat, play, and mask work. Each half term brings a new focus, allowing participants to delve into different aspects of performance.
Who, where and when?
Who: This is for adults (18 years plus).
Where: J.G. Graves Woodland Discovery Centre, Ecclesall Woods, Sheffield. We have both indoor and outdoor spaces.
When: Tuesday evenings in term time, 7.45 – 9.15 PM
Programme
Block 1: Play and Improvisation
25 February, 04, 11, 18, 25 March 2025 (5 weeks)
This 5-week course invites everyone to explore the joys of play and improvisation and promises to be ridiculous fun! We have purposefully scheduled this course first to lay the foundations for what is to come.
Improvised theatre is a dynamic form of performance where actors create scenes, characters, and dialogue on the spot, without a script or rehearsal but using a set of improvisation principles. This spontaneity encourages a high level of creativity, as performers must rely on their instincts, adaptability, and collaboration. The beauty of improv is its unpredictability—every show is unique, shaped by the performers’ quick thinking, making it a space for innovation, risk-taking, and artistic exploration.
Block 2: Speaking Shakespeare
15, 22, 29 April 06, 13, 20 May 2025 (6 weeks)
Led by an RSC Associate Practitioner, Kat Fletcher, this 6-week course dives into Shakespeare’s timeless works.
Through interactive workshops, participants will master speaking verse, explore iambic pentameter, and develop acting techniques for tackling complex texts with confidence. Participants will explore how Shakespeare’s connection to nature shapes the themes, language, and characters in his plays. They will delve into the vivid worlds and settings he creates, discovering how nature amplifies the emotions, conflicts, and stories within his works.
Block 3: Movement In Theatre
03, 10, 17, 24 June, 01, 08 July 2025 (6 weeks)
Over 6 weeks, this course explores the fundamental principles movement in performance, from the precision of stage combat to the expressive possibilities of physical storytelling.
Inspired by iconic moments from playwrights such as Sophocles, Shakespeare, and Dennis Potter, participants will learn how movement shapes drama, intensifies emotion, and deepens character relationships. Participants will develop confidence in dynamic performance, mastering techniques that enhance character, tension, and storytelling through physical action.
Block 4: Promenade Theatre
16, 23, 30 September, 07, 14, 21 October 2025 (6 weeks)
Over 6 weeks, this course delves into the art of promenade theatre, a dynamic form of performance where the audience moves through the space alongside the action, creating an immersive and interactive experience.
Participants will learn to incorporate the natural environment into their storytelling, using the woodland’s features to shape atmosphere and narrative. Through movement, staging, and creative use of location, they will develop the skills to craft performances that engage audiences in new and exciting ways.
Block 5: Playback Theatre
04, 11, 18, 25 November, 02, 09 December 2025 (6 weeks)
This 6-week course introduces participants to Playback Theatre, a distinctive form of improvisational theatre where audience members’ personal stories are transformed into spontaneous performances.
Focusing on active listening and empathetic storytelling, participants will explore how to bring human stories to life through movement, dialogue, and creative expression. They will develop skills in improvisation, collaboration, and emotional awareness, working as an ensemble to honour and reflect the richness of each shared narrative.
Block 6: Masks
06, 13, 20, 27 January, 03, 10 February 2026 (6 weeks)
This 6-week course invites participants to explore the art of mask-making and performance.
Participants will craft their own masks, learning techniques for design and construction, and then use them to explore how performing through masks heightens physicality, and requires a deeper connection to non-verbal expression.
For enquiries, please contact Kat on: hellogrowtheatre@gmail.com or 07834 341 468
Please read our refund and cancellation policy before booking.