Prime Theatre introduce their new Digital Youth Theatre Workshops

Prime Theatre is Swindon's only professional theatre company and their associate director, Laura, has recently created some fantastic new Digital Youth Theatre Workshops that are perfect for you young aspiring performers!

Tell us a little bit about Prime Theatre…

Prime is a professional theatre company based in Swindon who makes professional shows for young audiences in both schools and theatres. Our current production of Penguins has had to come back early from touring USA due to Covid-19.

We are a charity as well as an NPO (National Portfolio Organisation) supported by the Arts Council with the aim to make the arts accessible to young people aged 5-25 years. We do this through weekly youth theatre sessions, work in schools, community groups and partnering on projects with other cultural organisations like STEAM and Create.

We are also pathways partner with LAMDA (London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art) and run free workshops for people aged 14+ who are interested in learning more about drama school. During lockdown we have moved from physical youth theatre sessions to digital ones to keep people creative.

What inspired you to create the new Digital Youth Theatre workshops?

We did not want lockdown to be a barrier for people to access the arts.

There are many reasons why people come to youth theatre - it is not just for people who want to be actors. Youth theatre provides a place to have fun, socialise and spend time with like- minded people. With over 100 young people in our youth theatre we wanted to make sure that we could still offer a service to them.

Tell us about the Digital Youth Theatre workshops…

Our Summer Digital Youth Theatre offers a huge range of options for young people and flexibility during uncertain times. We recognise that everyone is on a “corona-coaster” at the moment and wants and needs change rapidly.

We are running two stand-alone 5-week Blocks this summer, which are open to any 9-25 year olds across the UK.

Participants can choose from variety of ‘strands’ so that they can customise their own summer. We have skills-based workshops, from “scripts and skills”, to “drama school and audition prep” to another focussing just on Shakespeare, We have a “digital makers” group for those who are inspired by platforms like Tik Tok and want to create their own digital content

For the first time we are running a “social” strand. We recognise that for others lockdown is stressful and they miss spending time with other young people. This group will be an hour of theatre games and improvisation.

Prime isn’t just for performers and makers, but also writers. We have a ‘writers pad’ strand which is for anyone who either writes or would like to have a go at doing so. Sessions will include exercises to unlock your writing voice, and a platform to create new writing.

How do the new Digital Youth Theatre workshops help young aspiring performers?

Our workshops allow young people to leave lockdown feeling like they have used their time wisely and been upskilled. Our smaller groups allow for more 1:1 support,

We may not be allowed ‘on a stage’ but we have also not allowed it to stop us making ‘theatre’. We have a regular group who meet weekly and who are devising  production which will be performed live on a digital platform in July, and a partnership with Pitlochry Theatre in Scotland with whom our current writers pad are writing a show.

Who can benefit from the Digital Youth Theatre workshops?

Sessions are for anyone aged 9- 25 years. You do not need to be ‘good actor/ writer’ to join, you just need to be kind, be brave, and be yourself.

What are you hoping to achieve with the new Digital Youth Theatre workshops?

We want to provide a service which engages and inspires young people. The wonderful thing about digital youth theatre is that we can open it up to anyone across the UK. This not only, a chance to diversify the range of workshops we can offer but also work with a wider group of young people who can continue inspire and influence the group to those outside of their town/ immediate circle.   

What things would you like individuals to take from the workshops?

Fun most of all, and a sense of achievement. Whether that is in a physical digital product, or a new skill that they have acquired.

For those who would love to attend performing arts schools/colleges, how will these workshops help them?

The process in auditioning for performing arts schools and colleges is tough and can be very daunting for everyone. Our workshops will provide a safe and supportive place where we will support you in finding a monologue which best showcases you as an actor, help you to break it down in how to perform it and provide sessions in audition technique. 

We will also provide Q&A sessions with current drama school contacts, so that participants can chat honestly to teachers and pupils about their experiences.

Find out more about Prime Theatre and it's new Digital Youth Theatre Workshops by visiting their website, https://www.primetheatre.co.uk/