: emerging theatre-makers
Aged 18-30?
Live in or around Hackney?
Interested in performing, devising & storytelling?
Join feminist theatre-maker and director Nastazja Domaradzka for a FREE, intensive theatre-making workshop programme.
Over four full days of workshops from Wednesday to Saturday, we’ll discover how the personal and political intertwine in theatre-making. You’ll learn new skills and techniques to add to your toolbox, and we’ll wrap up with an informal sharing session on Saturday evening.
November 2024
Wed 13th, Thur 14th & Fri 15th
11:00 – 16:00
Sat 16th
11:00 – 20:00 (including sharing)
For detailed programme description, click here.
For an easier-to-read version, click here.
meet your facilitator
Originally from Poland, Nastazja Domaradzka is a feminist theatre-maker and director. She has worked both in the UK and abroad, and her work is rooted in Eastern European practice, using theatre as a tool of resistance and amplifying underrepresented voices. With an MA in Applied Theatre from The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, she teaches at various drama schools in the UK and led and developed the creative programme NO BORDERS at The Royal Court Theatre. Directing credits include Dziady / Forefathers’ Eve at The Almeida, Scream Fire for The Revolution at Theatre Royal Stratford East, and Peyvand Sadeghian’s award-winning piece Dual. In recent years, Nastazja directed Grate for the National Theatre of Kosovo, a feminist piece of protest theatre; the award-nominated CACEROLEO at Vault 2023; and the highly acclaimed production of Tennessee Williams’ Orpheus Descending for the National Theatre of Albania.
This workshop programme is part of a series titled Make theatre with … and each programme is designed in conversation with an industry professional with the aim to offer different perspectives and approaches to making theatre – no programme is ever the same!
the programme
In this four-day workshop programme, we will explore how the political is always personal and vice versa in the art of theatre-making!
Drawing inspiration from a diverse range of international artists who create political work, you’ll practise various devising methods that encourage you to question the world around you and reflect those questions in your own artistic practice. Influenced by Eastern European practitioners, Nastazja Domaradzka’s approach focuses on helping each participant uncover their inherent creativity and recognise the multitude of artistic manifestos that reside within us all.
This programme is set out to explore how we can all be activists in our work!
Throughout these intensive workshops, you will:
- Learn about a variety of international artists and their methodologies
- Dive into the world of devising, creating from stimuli
- Collaborate both collectively and individually
- Explore the concept of an artistic manifesto
- Devise your own piece of work
Exercises will include dance, movement, writing, and brainstorming. The workshop will conclude with a public sharing on Saturday, 16 November, which will be open to an invited audience of friends, family, and company associates.
Workshop Overview
Below, you’ll find an overview of each session, offering an idea of what to expect and how each session contributes to the overall experience.
Wednesday 13 November: The personal is always political
- We will begin by meeting each other, moving together, and brainstorming around the idea that ‘the personal is always political.’ You will also receive a small homework task to reflect on.
Thursday 14 November: Making political theatre
- After a warm-up, we will explore a variety of examples and familiarise ourselves with different theatre-makers who create political work. This session will delve into the world of devising and the methodologies used in political theatre.
Friday 15 November: My world is…
- Using the prompt ‘MY WORLD IS,’ you will begin devising in groups while reflecting on your own artistic manifestos and how personal experiences inform our work.
Saturday 16 November: Celebrating collective creativity
- In the morning, we will finish working in groups, refining the pieces we will share later in the evening. This informal sharing is an opportunity to present the work and ideas developed during the four days. It’s not about a grand performance; rather, it’s a moment to celebrate you and your creativity. You will also have the chance to connect with the company and associates in a relaxed setting, complete with beverages and snacks.
Venues
The programme and sharing will take place at the Rose Lipman Building.
Rose Lipman Building
43 De Beauvoir Road
London
N1 5SQ
The Rose Lipman Building has step-free access.
Schedule
Due to the intense nature of the programme, participants are expected to take part in the following scheduled activities without exception!
- Wednesday 13 November, 11:00–16:00
- Thursday 14 November, 11:00–16:00
- Friday 15 November, 11:00–16:00
- Saturday 16 November, 11:00–20:00
Lunch will be from 13:00 to 14:00 (participants are expected to take care of their own lunch from Wednesday to Friday), and we will arrange pizza on Saturday.
Participant Eligibility
This programme is for you if one or more of these is true:
- you’ve had some theatre training (practical experience)
- you’re passionate about making theatre
- you’ve done some drama when you were younger
- you have exciting ideas you’d like to share with others
- you’re interested in pursuing a career in theatre
- you love the idea of working in a group
Please note that priority will be given to young people (18-30) living in Hackney, but we have some spaces allocated for people outside the borough. So if you live in one of the neighbouring boroughs, you can still apply.
We’re particularly interested in hearing from applicants from marginalised genders, including women, women-identifying individuals, and non-binary and gender non-conforming people.
Additionally, we encourage applications from individuals from the global majority and/or who identify as first or second-generation immigrants.
Returning Participants:
To keep our creative community connected and encourage long-term engagement, we’re excited to set aside 4 out of the 16 spots for past participants. This allows us to acknowledge the commitment of returning members while welcoming new voices!
Accessibility:
We are dedicated to ensuring that our workshop programmes are as accessible as possible wherever feasible.
There is no fee to participate, and we can offer some financial support for travel and other costs associated with joining the programme. Applicants will be asked about their access requirements to ensure appropriate resources can be provided.
We accept 2-minute voice notes in place of a written response for the main application question. Any information provided is strictly confidential and will not impact your application in any way.
If you have any questions regarding accessibility, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Cost
Thanks to the generous funding from The National Lottery: Community Fund, this programme is entirely free to attend, but places are strictly limited!
Why free?
We strive to make our work as accessible as possible and we continue to look for new ways to break down barriers. Since 2018 all in-house workshops and training programmes have either been free or part of our Pay What You Can scheme.
A Note on Commitment:
To help us maintain a supportive and engaged community, we have a one-strike policy in place. If you accept a spot but don’t show up, you won’t be able to apply for the next two programmes. We really appreciate your understanding and commitment to making this experience valuable for everyone involved!
For an easier-to-read version of the programme description, click here.
how to apply
Download our Application Guidelines: This document includes application form questions, allowing you to draft your responses in a separate document before adding them to our online form.
Apply via our online Application Form: Please note that you will not be able to save your progress, so ensure that you have prepared everything in advance (see guidelines).
Applications close at noon on Thursday 17 October.
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