A stage further

Programme of theatre workshops for local music and drama groups

29 March 2010

A programme of theatre workshops aimed at local music and drama groups titled A Stage Further are taking place in Northwich and Knutsford in May and June.

Cheshire West and Chester Council together with Cheshire East and Warrington Councils are working with Cheshire Theatre Guild and the National Operatic and Dramatic Association to offer the programme of events.

This is the fifth year that the workshops have taken place and are led by key people from the theatre.

Matthew Hopkins, Director of Music at Nottingham Trent University and Director of Youth Choir UK will lead a session on Working with Voices, to help organisations to make the most of their ensembles. The Associate Director at Theatre by the Lake, Stefan Escreet, will lead a directing workshop to get fresh, well-paced performances in limited rehearsal time.

For those involved behind the scenes there are a series of hands on workshops. Judith Croft, freelance designer at venues including the Library Theatre Company, Manchester and Theatre Clwyd, will lead workshops on Set Design and Costume Design. And there will be Beginner and Advanced Lighting Workshops run by Angie Berwick, a freelance theatre technician and Technical Manager for Black Chair Theatre Company.

Cllr Richard Short, Executive Member for Culture and Recreation for Cheshire West and Chester Council said: "These workshops are extremely popular. In fact last year 96 percent of participants rated them as excellent or good and 93 percent said they were value for money. Not only that, they boost the confidence of everyone taking part and provide a great number of useful ideas for future productions."

The workshops are priced at £20 a day. There is a £5 discount if an additional workshop is booked either for yourself or for another person from your organisation.

To find out more about the sessions and how to book a place on the workshop of your choice please telephone 01244 972679.