PLAYBOX PROFESSIONALS
Playbox Theatre Professionals is an Advanced Level course, which explores both practical, and contemporary arts. Text, voice, song, movement, modern and classical drama, alongside trends and genres are all part of the programme. This, alongside developing a critical understanding of both material, and methods, being developed across arts forms today. An annual ‘Director’s Cut’ project allows young directors the opportunity to stage work in the studio, or on our outdoor stage.
Post-pandemic, the entire arts industry has reinvented itself, to meet the challenges ahead. Playbox Professionals will be a part of the debate, and members will actively respond using their own knowledge and techniques.
Playbox Professionals is directed by Stewart McGill, Consultant Director of Playbox Theatre.
To find out more about Playbox Professionals, please take a look at our FAQ page Playbox Theatre – Professionals FAQs
My time at Playbox made me who I am today, hands down! I can attribute SO much of my confidence both professionally and personally to what I learned at The Dream Factory. Being able to think on the spot, think laterally, have confidece in my ideas and throw myself full throttle, head first, into making something I’m proud of…I have the Playbox family to thank for that!”
Leena Normington
We are looking for young actors who are determined to pursue a career in the performing arts. We would expect you to have a passion for theatre and to have seen a range of live performances.
Absolutely! Playbox Professionals is a specialist course that is only available to fully registered members of the Theatre Training Programme. You must continue to attend your Theatre Training Programme when you are in Professionals.
There is no minimum length of time…you can apply to join Professionals as soon as you are a member of Playbox Theatre. If you feel the urgent need to prepare for a career route, then you should apply for Professionals straight away.
There is no practical audition, but the group is selective. You and a parent would be asked to attend an interview with the director, to ensure that this is definitely the right course for you.
There will be a discussion regarding the realities of becoming an actor, director or artist, to ensure that you are ready to face the challenges. We will talk to you about the programme and answer any questions that you have.
Of course. If you are not offered a place following an interview, we will talk to you about why this decision was taken and will advise what you should do in order to improve your chance of being offered a place.
Every season we invite new members to join the group, as long as there are spaces.
Professionals is a tight group of young people who have expressed serious interest in pursuing the arts as a career route. It is a commitment course, and members are expected to be absolutely dedicated to their training, and to involve themselves fully in the wider workings of Playbox Theatre. Members will be driven to work at an intense level and work is undertaken to help members to prepare for drama school and university. A serious attitude to an arts career is a major consideration, with members expected to achieve an advanced level of result.
15-21 yrs.
There will be a maximum of 20 young people – it is usually closer to 15.
Absolutely! Playbox Professionals is a full-commitment programme and you must attend weekly.
Not usually – you are expected to prioritise this commitment, and your family should be aware of this when you are offered a place. If there is a serious event which will affect your attendance, this must be discussed with the director well in advance. Failure to attend your training may result in you losing your place on the course.
Our programme of work is varied and far-reaching, and is designed to reflect the current theatre landscape, contemporary practices and approaches, as well as exploring practitioners across theatre’s history.
There is no typical week! Usually your session will be intensive, varied and invigorating! The group work incredibly hard, yet enjoy the challenges they are set. There will always be a warm up, debate and discussion, introduction to material, practical exercises and feedback/reflection time. Sometimes workshops are a ‘one-off’, other times we will explore material over a series of weeks.
Professionals is not a presentation programme – it is an intense workshop event, where material and ideas are explored without observation. However, on occasions, we will open the doors for audiences to come and share your work. This might take place in a studio, site specific or on stage.
As with all of our work, it tends to be very practical and physical and must wear loose, comfortable clothing. No specialist clothing is required.
You should always bring a notebook and something to write with, as well as copies of any material that you have been given in previous workshops.
All workshops take place at The Dream Factory in Warwick. You will be working in one of the rehearsal studios at the theatre.
There is a combined fee to cover both membership of the Theatre Training Programme and Professionals. The fee is £270 and this is payable three times per year (once per season, which runs in conjunction with the school term).
The programme is directed by Consultant Director, Stewart McGill. Stewart co-founded Playbox Professionals with Executive Director, Mary King, in 1988. To find out more about his work with Playbox Theatre and beyond, please have a look at his biography on the Playbox Team page.
Playbox Professionals takes place every Saturday within our season dates and the time is 9am-11am.
It really can, although there are no guarantees, as is the case with any aspect of the arts! Professionals can prepare you, can give you increased confidence and will help you explore a range of texts and songs to present at your audition. You will also undertake interview practice and audition technique – and you will be well-versed in debate and discussion. Recently, Playbox Professionals have gained places at some of UK’s top drama schools including RADA, LAMDA, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Guildhall and Royal Welsh College Of Music & Drama, to name a few! It can certainly provide a spring-board…but ultimately, it is up to you.
All of the usual Playbox Casting guidelines apply, so please have a look at the Casting FAQs to understand our criteria and casting process. However, the commitment you will have shown and the intensity of your training should stand you in very good stead, when it comes to auditions.
No – the workshop is called ‘Playbox Professionals’ because the group are made of young people who aim to become professional artists for their career. You will be expected to have a completely professional attitude to your work – however this is also the case for every member of Playbox, in whichever group they attend. If you would like the opportunity to be considered for professional castings, beyond Playbox, you will need to audition for the Playbox Agency, and be taken onto our books.
