SPRINGING TO ACTION – TAKE A LOOK AT EDUCATION’S EASTER ACTIVITIES

30th April 2025

The New Vic’s Education department have been busy hosting holiday activities for young people this Easter ranging from backstage skills to physical theatre.

Last week, Theatre in Motion invited young people to discover how to tell compelling stories without words. Through expressive body language, ensemble work, and improvisation, young people aged between 10 to 15 years explored how the power of movement could unlock new dimensions of performance in a one-day physical masterclass.

In addition to this, young people aged between13 to 19 years were welcomed to the theatre for a week-long programme, focusing on the backstage world of theatre. Working alongside industry professionals to learn essential skills in lighting, sound, design and costume, participants had the opportunity to delve into the important backstage duties of a producing theatre in-the-round.

New Vic Youth Theatre Director and Education Practitioner Amy Fletcher said:

“Over the last couple of weeks, we’ve welcomed young people from across Staffordshire on lots of wonderful projects! 

We welcomed 10 – 15-year-olds to the theatre for a masterclass in Physical Theatre, the group were introduced how storytelling can come from movement, and how to tell stories through physicality – we improvised, devised and worked from scripts – all in one day! The day flew by, and the group did a fantastic job. 

Last week we held Backstage Skills for 13 – 19-year-olds, we had a fabulous time finding out what it takes to produce a show at the New Vic!  Each day the group worked with a different department who work in the theatre, learning their processes and learning skills that they then put into practice. During the mornings we toured the backstage areas, we met the experts from Costume Design, Stage Management, Workshop and Technical and in the afternoons the group completed tasks set by each professional. We designed costumes and made them on a wooden mannequin, marked up a rehearsal room floor, created a set and learnt what it takes to be a Stage Manager. The amazing Workshop team shared their processes for designing and making all of the wonderful floors, sets and props we see on stage, the group took on the challenge of designing a New Vic floor and creating a tasty cake prop (they all looked very delicious). To finish the week our Technical team shared how they create all the stunning sound and lighting for the shows, with the group creating their own soundscape using sounds they designed and recorded and having a go at programming and creating different lighting for shows.”

This summer, New Vic Education’s annual Play in A Weekreturns from Monday 28 July to Friday 1 August. The Time Travelers Playground invites young people aged between 10 to 15 years to create a play in one week, with this year’s story based around anunforgettable journey through history with the use of a mysterious time machine.

In August, Time Travelers’ Adventure will take children aged between 5 to 9 years on a journey through the ages during a two-day workshop exploring dinosaurs and medieval castles and to marvel at what the future might hold from Tuesday 5 to Wednesday 6 August.

For further information about New Vic Education’s summer activities please email Lynn Parry; Education Administration and project Manager at lparry@newvictheatre.org.uk and to book call the Box Office on 01782 717962.