Exploring theatre skills for everyday life
Theatre Club is a free eight-week course that uses theatre skills to build confidence, foster connections and support wellbeing.
Designed for adults aged 18+ who face barriers to accessing the arts, the programme runs three times a year, welcoming 20 participants each term to explore a different theatre discipline. Each term is led by a professional theatre practitioner and supported by a dedicated wellbeing facilitator.
Alongside the weekly workshops, participants enjoy free theatre visits, backstage tours and an end-of-year celebration event, along with the chance to join our OV Community Network.
Participants can self-refer or be referred by link workers, charities or community organisations. No previous theatre experience is needed, just an openness to try something new.
Each term will include:
- An introductory workshop led by The Old Vic’s Education & Community team
- Six bespoke workshops led by a professional theatre practitioner and supported by a wellbeing facilitator
- A free theatre visit to an Old Vic production
- A focus on a different theatre discipline each term, exploring practical skills you can use beyond the course and including resources to take home
- An end-of-year celebration event bringing together all programme participants
- A backstage tour of The Old Vic
- The opportunity to join our OV Community Network for ongoing events and opportunities
- Guidance and support from the facilitators and Community Manager throughout the programme
- Access and travel support if required.
The programme runs three times a year, with each term comprising of eight sessions.
We offer a free taster session before each term, giving anyone interested the chance to meet the team and try a workshop before deciding to apply.
Upcoming Terms
Term One: Creative Writing with Benjamin Salmon
- Taster Session: Tue 14 Oct 2025, 6.30–8pm
- Course dates: Tue 25 Nov 2025–Tue 27 Jan 2026
Term Two: Storytelling with mezze eade
- Taster Session: Tue 03 Feb 2026, 6.30–8pm
- Course dates: Tue 10 Mar–Tue 28 Apr 2026
Term Three: Improvisation (facilitator TBC)
- Taster Session: Tue 05 May 2026, 6.30–8pm
- Course dates: Tue 09 Jun–Tue 28 Jul 2026
Applications open on a term-by-term basis.
Term One Applications
Delivered over eight sessions, term one will focus on creative writing and will be led by playwright, screenwriter and performer Benjamin Salmon. The sessions will explore:
- Generating ideas and finding your creative voice
- Developing confidence to share your writing in a relaxed and supportive environment
- Exploring character, dialogue and story structure through different writing forms
- Interrogating, as a group, what makes for exciting and urgent storytelling.
- Course dates
Taster session: Tue 14 Oct 2025, 6.30–8pm
- Week One Tue 25 Nov 2025, 6.30–8.30pm
- Week Two Tue 02 Dec 2025, 6.30–8.30pm
- Week Three Tue 09 Dec 2025, 6.30–8.30pm
- Week Four Tue 16 Dec 2025, 6.30–8.30pm
(Break for holidays)
- Week Five Mon 05 Jan 2026, 7.30–10.30pm (Performance at The Old Vic)
- Week Six Tue 13 Jan 2026, 6.30–8.30pm
- Week Seven Tue 20 Jan 2026, 6.30–8.30pm
- Week Eight Tue 27 Jan 2026, 6.30–8.30pm
Who is this programme for?
This programme is designed with wellbeing at its core and a particular focus on supporting those who have experienced isolation and loneliness and want to build confidence and connect with others. No previous theatre experience is required and we welcome complete beginners. A curiosity, interest in theatre and enthusiasm to try something new will be key in our selection process.
We are committed to removing barriers that often prevent people from accessing the arts and will prioritise applicants who have had limited or no arts opportunities in the past. This includes people from the global majority, care-experienced individuals, carers, disabled and neurodivergent people, those from working-class backgrounds and the LGBTQIA+ community.
Eligibility
- You must be aged 18+
- You must be based in London, or the surrounding areas, and be able to travel to The Old Vic
- You must be available for all sessions within the term you are applying for.
- A wellbeing facilitator will be present at every session to support participation
- All sessions take place in The Old Vic’s Backstage building, which has step-free access
- At The Old Vic, we are committed to providing inclusive access to support participants’ creative and learning processes. We will work with you to implement any reasonable adjustments before the programme begins to ensure the right support is in place
- Course content and resources can be adapted to suit your learning style
- Additional access and travel support can be provided if required
- The Old Vic offers accessible performances, including Captioned, Audio Described, British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreted and Relaxed performances. Find out more about access at The Old Vic on our website.
If you would like to discuss your access requirements or if you have any questions before applying, please contact ovcommunity@oldvictheatre.com
Term One applications are now closed.
Complete this expression of interest form to be the first to hear when applications for the next term open.
If you have any questions, please contact ovcommunity@oldvictheatre.com.