HOLIDAY ACTIVITIES“Playbox is brilliant!
It’s easily the best thing I do”
Playbox member, age 14
Holiday workshops take place at The Dream Factory in Warwick, ranging from half-day, to weeklong specialist projects. These are open to both members, and non-members, of Playbox Theatre.
Our holiday workshops are a perfect way for young people to be creatively engaged during the school holidays, and to develop skills across a range of performing arts.
Get involved
The programme of classes available varies throughout the year, and information on this page is continuously updated.
Holiday workshops are themed, and appropriately age-banded. Schedules regularly include Musical Theatre; Shakespeare; Stage Combat; Film-Making; Acting; Dance; Drama School Preparation; Technical; Design; Pre-School Events.
Join the mighty ‘Fight Lab’ this summer, and you will explore the techniques required to bring thrilling fight scenes to both stage and screen, utilising an array of weapons and art forms, from medieval broadswords, right through to modern hand to hand combat.
Sessions are led by trained professional, Liam Bessell, and take place in a safe, secure environment designed to finesse the skills of choreographing dynamic and explosive fight scenes. The sessions are physical and involve high levels of teamwork and communication.
This holiday project will be run by:
Liam Bessell
Age: 12-19 years
Cost: £120 (discount applies for members of Playbox – please enter your booking code when asked)
Includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
2 days of dynamic musical theatre, led by Playbox’s Director of Musical Theatre and MD.
There will be singing, choreography and acting, culminating in a presentation on the main stage of The Dream Factory, for family and friends to come and enjoy.
This workshop is perfect for fans of ‘Matilda The Musical’, as well as those with lots of energy and a passion for singing and dancing.
This holiday project will be run by:
Juliet Vankay with Richard Norris
Age: 8-13 years
Cost: £120 (discount applies for members of Playbox – please enter your booking code when asked)
Includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
Join Playbox Theatre’s early years team, for daily journeys into the imagination, including mime, movement, role play, storytelling, craft, acting and yummy picnics.
Each day is different, and will be led by highly experienced directors, who are ready and waiting to take little actors on an expedition into the wonderful world of the theatre.
Book for one…or book for them all!
Monday 31st July – CIRCUS ADVENTURES (circus skills)
Tuesday 1st August – THE BIG TOP IS IN TOWN (more circus fun!)
Wednesday 2nd August – DINKY DESIGNERS (costume design and messy making)
Thursday 3rd August – THE GRUFFALO & FRIENDS (acting & storytelling)
Friday 4th August – TPI FRIDAY – THANK PLAYBOX IT’S FRIDAY (the weekly end-of-the-week creative theatre party)
Age: 3-5 years
Cost: £40 per day (discount applies for members of Playbox – please enter your booking code when asked)
Includes lunch and refreshments throughout the morning.
Stopping off at Stark Towers, we will use theatre and imaginative role play to lure Loki, gather Infinity Stones, defeat Doctor Doom and celebrate with Captain America. To finish off the week there will be a special superhero screening party!
This holiday project will be run by:
Izzie James with Amy Perkins and Judy Reaves
Age: 5-9 years
Cost: £235 (discount applies for members of Playbox – please enter your booking code when asked)
Includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
This unique 5 day course will see a superb programme of actors, directors and practitioners leading workshops on a range of practical skills that will be invaluable for those who are thinking of going into the business.
We’ll explore the differences between drama school and university routes, as well as spending time tackling audition speeches, confidence building, and multiple disciplines that a young actor is likely to encounter. Some of these classes include: acting through song; directing; audition technique; dance; physical theatre.
It promises to be a high-energy week, with the chance to talk train with some very exciting artists.
Age: 12-18 years
Cost: £235 (discount applies for members of Playbox – please enter your booking code when asked)
Includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
Develop your skills and awareness of audio voice capturing, using dynamics, plosives, pitching and microphone technique to record a full-length radio play over 3 days.
This special Recording Course is led by industry expert, SPESH MALONEY, who has extensive experience as a recording artist and sound designer across theatre, film, television and radio.
This holiday project will be run by:
Spesh Maloney
Age: 12-19 years
Cost: £160 (discount applies for members of Playbox – please enter your booking code when asked)
Includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
This weekend-school is led by Playbox Theatre’s Technical Director, and will give young people complete access to the workings of a performance venue.
The course is entirely practical with hands-on opportunities, whilst offering participants the chance to research, design, and light their own project.
The programme will cover lighting, sound, programming and stage management. Whilst the programme is focussed on technical theatre, members will be challenged to build teamwork, leadership, practical, and problem-solving skills that can be applied in other areas of life.
This course is perfect for both beginners, and experienced, young people.
This holiday project will be run by:
Richard Cooper
Age: 13-19 years
Times:
Friday 4th from 4-7pm
Saturday 5th from 10am-4pm
Sunday 6th from 10am-4pm
Cost: £160 (discount applies for members of Playbox – please enter your booking code when asked)
Over 2 imaginative days, participants in this workshop will have the chance to explore some of Shakespeare’s most exciting works – we’ll be delving into both plays and sonnets, discovering characters, locations, stories, inspirations…and the life and times of the playwright himself.
This course will conclude with a studio presentation for families to enjoy.
This holiday project will be run by:
Mary King with Emily Quash
Age: 8-13 years
Cost: £120 (discount applies for members of Playbox – please enter your booking code when asked)
Includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
We’re all set for action, with a 3 day theatre holiday bonanza which takes us under the ocean, into the stars, and to the farthermost reaches of our universe.
With acting, storytelling, craft, music and lots more, this promises to be a fun-filled holiday project filled with imagination.
Age: 5-8 years
Cost: £160 (discount applies for members of Playbox – please enter your booking code when asked)
Includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
We are thrilled that past Playbox actor, EMILY SUGDEN, will be reunited with us this summer, for a series of high-octane and hugely physical specialist workshops.
First up, Emily will be leading a 2 day course of Cheerleading. She has a wealth of experience as both a Cheer Performer, as well as coach, and she’s excited to share her skills with Playbox this summer.
‘Cheer’ is rising fast as a highly regarded performance skill, requiring physical commitment, team-work, positivity, dedication and energy – all things that we value highly at Playbox Theatre.
We can’t wait to put you through your paces, learning skills, developing routines, and building some terrific friendships.
This holiday project will be run by:
Emily Sugden
Age: 11-18 years
Cost: £120 (discount applies for members of Playbox – please enter your booking code when asked)
Includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
Join Playbox Theatre’s early years team, for daily journeys into the imagination, including mime, movement, role play, storytelling, craft, acting and yummy picnics.
Each day is different, and will be led by highly experienced directors, who are ready and waiting to take little actors on an expedition into the wonderful world of the theatre.
Book for one…or book for them all!
Monday 7th August – DRAGON SCHOOL (acting and storytelling)
Tuesday 8th August – THE ENCHANTED KINGDOM (fantasy & fairytales)
Wednesday 9th August – 3,2,1 BLAST OFF! (space adventures galore)
Thursday 10th August – DISNEY DAY (acting & storytelling inspired by some of our favourite Disney films)
Friday 11th August – TPI FRIDAY – THANK PLAYBOX IT’S FRIDAY (the weekly end-of-the-week creative theatre party)
Age: 3-5 years
Cost: £40 per day (discount applies for members of Playbox – please enter your booking code when asked)
This week long project is inspired by Wednesday Addams and her slightly unusual school for supernaturals. There will be acting, devising, theatre skills and more as we deep dive into Wednesday’s dark and dangerous world…
This holiday project will be run by:
Izzie James
Age: 9-13 years
Cost: £235 (discount applies for members of Playbox – please enter your booking code when asked)
Includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
Over 2 days, participants will enjoy an intense and exciting programme of screen acting, for young people who are interested in honing their skills for film and television. The course explores a range of techniques and methods used by professionals working in the industry.
Screen Acting is a specialist workshop led by experienced screen director and performer, Edward Wolstenholme, and will offer you lots of experience in front of the camera, and techniques for camera auditions.
This holiday project will be run by:
Edward Wolstenholme
Age: 12-19 years
Cost: £120 (discount applies for members of Playbox – please enter your booking code when asked)
Includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
Join the incredibly talented actor, Tom Briggs, for a rip-roaring, and really insightful, 2 day course in how to create and perform comedy, as well as discovering clowning techniques inspired by some of the world’s greatest practitioners.
Within a secure and supportive environment, this programme will be huge fun, and great for confidence building.
This holiday project will be run by:
Tom Briggs
Age: 12-19 years
Cost: £120 (discount applies for members of Playbox – please enter your booking code when asked)
Includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
Join Playbox Theatre’s early years team, for daily journeys into the imagination, including mime, movement, role play, storytelling, craft, acting and yummy picnics.
Each day is different, and will be led by highly experienced directors, who are ready and waiting to take little actors on an expedition into the wonderful world of the theatre.
Book for one…or book for them all!
Monday 14th August – OH I DO LIKE TO BE BESIDE THE SEASIDE! (role play & song)
Tuesday 15th August – JUNGLE BOOGIE (all things wild and wonderful)
Wednesday 16th August – DISNEY DAY (acting & storytelling inspired by even more of our favourite Disney films)
Thursday 17th August – RATHER ROYAL GARDEN PARTY (Kings & Queens, Princes & Princesses – dress to impress)
Friday 18th August – TPI FRIDAY – THANK PLAYBOX IT’S FRIDAY (the weekly end-of-the-week creative theatre party)
Age: 3-5 years
Cost: £40 per day (discount applies for members of Playbox – please enter your booking code when asked)
Includes lunch and refreshments throughout the morning.
We will look at stories from around the world, blending music, storytelling and stagecraft to celebrate these amazing jungle tales. We will also focus our arts and crafts skills on a large scale project with an eco friendly twist. The Rainforest Alliance needs you!
This holiday project will be run by:
Izzie James
Age: 5-9 years
Cost: £235 (discount applies for members of Playbox – please enter your booking code when asked)
Includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
Channel your inner fairy-tale character and celebrate everything that is unique and individual as we learn some of the best musical numbers from this brilliant show.
There will be a presentation for family and friends in the main theatre at the end of the week.
This holiday project will be run by:
Hannah Hampson with Richard Norris
Age: 9-18 years
Cost: £235 (discount applies for members of Playbox – please enter your booking code when asked)
Includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
Post-pandemic, more and more actors are being asked to submit ‘self-tapes’ in the first few stages of auditions – not just for film and television, but for theatre and drama school jobs too.
Having the skills and confidence to tweak your performance for a self-tape, and to make sure you’re submitting something that shows you off to your very best, can seem a bit daunting.
This 1 day masterclass with give you all of the tips, and the practical advice you and your families will need, to make sure you are totally equipped to enjoy creating those auditions.
This holiday project will be run by:
Edward Wolstenholme
Age: 8-12 years
Cost: £65 (discount applies for members of Playbox – please enter your booking code when asked)
Includes lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
All holiday clubs are hosted in beautiful studios at The Dream Factory, with plenty of outdoor space for participants to get fresh air during breaks. Lunch and refreshments are included in fees, prepared by Café Whirl (with the exception of Blank-Shift Writers’ Workshop, which does not include lunch).
To receive priority information and to join our Holiday Activity mailing list, please email info@playboxtheatre.com