Spinning Tales Workshops

Local theatre makers Ella Fraser and Joseph Walsh will introduce you to devised theatre, how performances are created in collaboration without a script. It is often improvisational and experimental, allowing for creativity and innovation.

Local writer Julie McKiernan will explore writing for theatre, with a whistle-stop introduction to writing for theatre with fun exercises about spaces, voices, tension and techniques. A chance to bring some words to life, learn some tips and talk about opportunities and best practice.

Local theatre designer Eleanor Ferguson will lead this workshop, a theatre designers role is to design the set and costumes for a show, and sometimes also props and puppets, aiming to create a visual environment that compliments and furthers the themes, storyline, and setting of a play.

Theatre is nothing without it’s lights, sound and everything that goes on backstage. In this session we’ll be exploring the different technical aspects of theatre, focusing particularly on lighting and sound. For this session you’ll be joined by local theatre technician Jack Welsby.

Music is a key part of theatre, whether it’s in sound design or a song it’s part of the performance. Led by Neil Bettles (co-founder and Artistic Director of ThickSkin) and joined by our own songwriter Mike Burwin, who wrote the key song for ‘Best Ever Place Ever’ you’ll get introduced to a music studio and delve into the use of music in theatre.

We’ll wrap up our workshops with a session with local theatre makers Ella and Joe. Exploring what makes performing theatre different to on screen and in other art forms.

* EXTRA WORKSHOP *

Facilitated by Sam Holland-Bunyan, assistant director of Romeo & Juliet at The Royal Exchange Theatre, you will be introduced to directing for theatre and then together we will explore bringing your own short pieces of work to life.

For this workshop, we invite you to write a short script. When writing we ask you to avoid inclusion of drug use or any type of illegal activity, and be sensitive to anything that could be triggering to another individual. It must be written for two people to perform and can be no longer than two A4 pages, size 12 font and double spaced. This is not a prerequisite to doing the workshop, but if you are able to, please send to neil.eskins@royalexchange.co.uk by the 16th November.

Location – Spinners Mill, Floor 4, The Way Theatre, Spinners, 4 Park Ln, Leigh WN7 2LB

* EXTRA WORKSHOP *

This final workshop will explore what is producing in theatre, and will give you the opportunity to ask questions and get advice. We hope Leigh, Atherton and Tyldesley will be overrun by theatre companies in 2024.

Location – Spinners Mill, Floor 4, The Way Theatre, Spinners, 4 Park Ln, Leigh WN7 2LB