: young theatre-makers
Aged 18-30?
Live in or around Hackney?
Interested in performing, devising & storytelling?
Join multidisciplinary artist and facilitator Rita Suszek for a FREE theatre-making workshop programme.
Over the course of five 2.5-hour sessions (Saturday mornings) plus one all-day workshop (Saturday), you’ll explore different performance practices and learn new skills and techniques to add to your performance-making toolbox.
Applications close at noon on Wednesday 30 August.
Sep-Oct 2023
Saturdays, 10:30-13:00
16, 23 & 30 September
7 & 14 October
plus
Saturday 21 October 10:30-17:00
meet your facilitator
Rita Suszek is a Polish multi-disciplinary artist based in London, UK; they are a writer, performer and workshop facilitator.
For the last eleven years they have been creating new work through stand-up comedy, poetry and theatre, sharpening their skills through improv and penning the odd essay or podcast episode on the side.
In 2019 Rita created drag king character Janusz, who has since performed at The Glory, Clapham Grand, EAT ME & Preach, Xpressia Festival Liverpool (in the run-up to Eurovision) and Migration Matters Festival 2019 and 2023.
They wrote the play Five Dresses I Never Wear, which was performed at Calm Down Dear Festival (CPT 2018), Bedlam Festival 2021 and VAULT Festival 2023. They were twice shortlisted for VAULT Five, and awarded 1:1 Fund by Jerwood Arts, in collaboration with drag king Valera Beloved.
In collaboration with POMOC, they launched Migrated Kingdom of Drag in 2022 and they continue training immigrant drag and cabaret artists.
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
creating characters: the art of performance
Do you have a character inside you waiting to be unleashed?
In this six-week workshop programme, you’ll explore the art of creating characters through drag, movement and other performance genres. You will have the opportunity to develop your very own act, with feedback on existing ideas, help to develop them, and guidance on what direction to take them in. And don’t worry, it doesn’t need to be a solo act, we will incorporate some duo work and potentially group work.
This will be a creative and supportive space, where you’ll be introduced to various approaches to creating a character such as through music, movement and poetry. You will be able to try out different characters, as well as practice finding a character inside yourself. There will be many opportunities to generate ideas and test them out in front of the group, as well as at the final sharing.
The programme will conclude with a public sharing on Saturday 21 October (the sixth session), which will be open to an invited audience of friends and family plus company associates.
who is this programme for?
This programme is for you if one or more of these is true:
- you’ve had some performance 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 the performing arts or theatre
- you love the idea of working solo and 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 young people outside the borough. So if you live in one of the neighbouring boroughs, you can still apply.
We’re keen to hear from applicants from the global majority and/or people who identify as first or second generation im/migrants.
Details
location
Rose Lipman Building (the hall)
43 De Beauvoir Road
N1 5SQ
dates
Sat 16, Sat 23 & Sat 30 September, 10:30-13:00
Sat 7 & Sat 14 October, 10:30-13:00
Sat 21 October, 10:30-17:00
Due to the nature of the work, attendance is crucial. Therefore, we ask participants to be available for all the sessions.
cost
FREE
To apply, please read our info pack, which includes an online sign-up form.
Applications close at noon on Wednesday 30August.
If there’s anything that you’re unsure of, please don’t hesitate to contact us:
- on email: maria@foreignaffairs.org.uk or,
- text/call/WhatsApp: 07478 093 697
You’ll connect with our engagement coordinator, Maria Laumark.
“... this programme is a wonderful opportunity for people to collaborate creatively and to learn and be exposed to the wider world of theatre-making.”
participantworkshop programme 2021
“Yes! I want to get back into theatre-making. Now knowing that theatre can be created in ANY space.”
participantworkshop programme 2019