alternativeTheatre
the home of inamoment theatre
theatre with a beat!
Theatre ¦ Shakespeare¦ Workshops
UNDOING ¦ UNLEARNING ¦ UNBEING
Workshop Theatre
Workshop Theatre is about theatre practitioners flexing their muscles, actors and writers
devising and performing the best theatre they can. It provides unique opportunities
for theatre makers serious about their art.Workshop Theatre is theatre
without the trimmings; everything cut to the bone.
Workshops are the engine room of Alternative Theatre. Whilst we have created and performed many plays across our 20+ year history, most, if not all, have originated in collaboration and devising through workshops.
Workshop theatre is in everything we do, in some shape or form, whether or not it’s defined.
We continue to run our alternative approach workshops on an almost daily basis, with a
plethora of actors, writers, students, creatives and anyone else who just has a
passion for making engaging Theatre. We want to make theatre as
accessible for everyone as possible, and not just for actors
or those working in the creative industries–everyone is
welcome to develop their understanding of theatre
and the world around them, to practise new
skills, and to create new pieces of theatre.
To get details about our current Workshops, please go to our Contact Page
Our Workshop Theatre
MAD (Micro Audio Drama) Workshops
Online: 2021 - present
Workshops that focus on one character and key scenes/speeches from a Shakespeare play. They seek to capture elements of Shakespeare's themes, words, actions, etc., and turn them into audio pieces of drama, in turn becoming material for our AlternativeSpace podcasts.
Play Readings
(Online: 2019-Present; St.Paul's Church 2015-2017; TheWorkshop 2014; Old Joint Stock Theatre 2012-2013)
Chosen plays, from Shakespeare to contemporary playwrights, are read, discussed, and put on their feet. Sessions range from individual Zoom meetings to workshops involving up to 20 people.
Devised Plays
(The Dolphin Centre 2017-2018; St.Paul's Church 2015-2016; TheWorkshop 2014;
Old Joint Stock Theatre 2012-2013)
Actors working directly with a facilitator to create characters and supply the material that forms the basis of the written dialogue. Part of our Stripped Back Theatre initiative.
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The Other Side: Created in 2016, performed in the Birmingham & Midland Institute & St.Paul's Church.
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Orpheus in Blue: Created in 2016 and performed in St.Paul's Church.
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A Quarter Full: This performer-devised piece told the stories of 7 characters in the Jewellery Quarter.
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Parklife: Premiered in the Birmingham Fest 2013, at the Old Joint Stock Theatre.
TheatreCraft Workshops
(BMI 2018; St.Paul's Church 2015, 2016; TheWorkshop 2014-2015; Old Joint Stock Theatre 2012-2014;
Blue Orange Theatre 2011-2012)
Theatre Workshops that set out to stimulate. To invigorate. And to inspire. Each one takes a look at how we can get better at what we do. A focus for everyone who wants to better understand Theatre, and who welcome the time and space to learn through shared doing.
Workshops included:
The Women in Hamlet; Under the Text: Hamlet; From Zero to Theatre; Sarah Kane; Bertold Brecht; Work of Patsy Rodenburg; Speaking Shakespeare; Meisner Techniques
NTI Workshops
(Old Joint Stock 2012-2013)
Working in partnership with the Old Joint Stock Theatre as part of their NTI Workshops initiative to stimulate the creation of new theatre in Birmingham. These Workshops focused on bringing devised theatre into Performance.
Barefaced Nights
(Blue Orange Theatre 2011)
Actors/writers workshop and rehearse specially written pieces, working to strict disciplines over a few short weeks, exploring the written lines moment by moment. Creatives and actors working together to bring their work into performance. A truly collaborative form of Theatre.
Best of 3
(London Bridge 2010)
Best of 3 started the whole workshop process and was a great hit with both participants and audience alike.
3 Teams of 3 Actors, 3 Short pieces of new writing,
1 Winning Team!
Workshop feedback
"It has been very enjoyable and worthwhile and did indeed give me a space and platform, and a vehicle, to exercise certain muscles and gears - to explore and push to certain levels."
Participant feedback
"The script was good writing, which always helps the acting
process; very true and human almost what is already there subconsciously, second nature and on the tip of the tongue."
Participant feedback
"Everyone I spoke to who saw it was just so blown away by the whole night, so thank you for creating such a brilliant project."
Participant feedback
"Barefaced was a great experience for me, both creatively & as a performer!"
Participant feedback
"I really enjoyed working on 'Barefaced' including the workshops, rehearsals and performances as well as working with everyone involved."
Participant feedback
"Just to say a big thank you for a great four weeks - it's been quite a journey!"
Participant feedback
"I've learnt so much from you . . ."
Participant feedback
"You've truly inspired me to do some more writing, thanks for reigniting this flame."
Participant feedback
"Please let me know when you are running workshops again as I would love to work with you again."
Participant feedback
"The format of the workshops has been different to anything I have done before but a really positive experience."
Participant feedback
"Everyone found the idea of performing the same scenes fascinating to both watch and do.
As an exercise in creating character it was fabulous!"
Participant feedback
"A huge buzz to perform and there was a lovely sportsmanlike atmosphere amongst the teams."
Participant feedback
" . . . a great performance idea and a great entertaining evening."
Audience feedback
Great words, wonderful performances."
Audience feedback
"The words and actions were just of such a high standard."
Audience feedback
"The format devised for actors is so engaging. I was engrossed in the performance of each actor . . ."
Audience feedback
"Very interesting concept!"
Audience feedback
"I really thought that it was fantastically interesting to see the same script developed in such contrasting ways; really added a new dimension and raised many questions that might not have occurred otherwise."
Audience feedback