Free theatre workshops with Belper Community Play

A season of taster workshops led by a team of professional theatre-makers across different venues in Belper.

All workshops are free and no experience necessary. Make sure to register your place early as spaces are limited. Under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult.

Monday 4th October | Creative writing with Kevin Fegan

Belper Library, 7-9pm | Age 16+

If you live, work or are connected to the Belper area, come along and tell us your tales.

This workshop forms part of the research for the Belper Community Play.
Kevin Fegan is an established playwright & poet commissioned to write a community play based on the people of the Belper area, past and present; its history and its myths.

Tuesday 5th October | Performing for people with learning disabilities / neuro-divergence with Jen Sumner

No.28 Venue Belper, 10am-12noon | All ages

A fun and accessible workshop using music, movement and storytelling. Express yourself and explore new approaches to creating together.

Jen Sumner is Artistic Director/Founder of Hubbub Theatre Company who specialise in integrated performances with learning disabled and non-disabled performers.

Tuesday 5th October | Movement with Kitty Winter

Strutts Community Centre, 7-9pm | All ages

Fun and practical movement techniques for creating characters through movement. Kitty Winter is an established freelance movement director working with companies at every level from village halls to the West End.

Thursday 7th October | Making shadow puppets with Mark Hornsey

Fleet Arts, 4:30-5:30pm and 6-7pm | All ages

Learn to design, make and use shadow-puppets and get to take home your puppet.

Mark Hornsley is a Theatre Designer and Joint Artistic Director/Co-Founder of Babbling Vagabonds Theatre Company.

Thursday 7th October | Performing for young people with Carole Copeland

Strutts Community Centre, 6-8pm | Age 13-18

Exploring different theatrical styles, devising characters and stories.
Carole Copeland is Artistic Director and Founder of Gekkota Arts. Carole trained at Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama and is an experienced actor, director and workshop leader.

Sunday 10th October | African Singing with Tafi Mushuku

St. Peter’s Church Belper, 2-4pm | All ages

“Sharing African songs that swallow accents, dissolve borders and unite everyone; exactly what we need at this time.”

Tafi Mushuku is a Zimbabwe-born African percussionist and singer and choir-leader. He grew up with Ndebele/Zulu and Shona songs which he has shared with choirs in South Africa, Norway and UK.

Tuesday 12th October | Acting for adults with Brett Heath

Strutts Community Centre, 7-10pm | All ages

For actors with or without experience, creating individual characters and working as an ensemble both with scripts and devising through play, music, voice, movement.

Brett Heath is an actor and director and teacher in theatre and television in Australia and UK since recently moving to Belper.

Wednesday 13th October | Costume design with Jo Birkett

Early Years Centre Belper, 6:30-9:30pm | All ages

Hands-on experience designing costume for theatre characters. Find out where to start and what to consider when creating style, including the smallest details such as pockets and buttons.

Jo Birkett is a freelance costume designer for theatres and English Heritage. Jo trained in Costume Making and Design at Nottingham Trent University where she now teaches.

Thursday 14th October | Lighting design with Jamie Vella

Strutts Community Centre, 7-9pm | All ages

Interested in technical theatre? Come and learn about what is involved in designing lighting and sound, creating the correct mood and atmosphere for live production. Jamie Vella is a freelance lighting designer and programmer working on theatre productions and music videos and is a key member of Derby Theatre’s Technical Team.

To book a place on any of the workshops email your name, contact details and your chosen workshop(s) to: cahawley@btinternet.com