PLAYBOX PROFESSIONALS
TRAINING PROGRAMME

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.