: workshop
Interested in translating for the stage and engaging with international theatre in a hands-on way?
Join us for a three-part, practice-based workshop series exploring the art of theatre translation. Each session focuses on a key aspect of bringing plays to life in new languages and cultures. Designed from 15 years of experience working with plays in translation—and shaped by feedback from past participants—these workshops offer real-world insights and creative strategies for theatre-makers.
Led by Co-Artistic Director Trine Garrett, the series draws on over a decade of experience sharing world theatre, including nine UK/world premieres and contributions to more than 30 new English translations. We’re excited to share our journey with you!
Below, you’ll find all the workshop details, but if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Thursday 3 April
Thursday 1 May
Thursday 5 June
14:30-17:30
Arrival with tea, coffee and refreshments from 14:30.
Wrap-up and networking from 17:00 to 17:30.
Rose Lipman Building
43 De Beauvoir Road
N1 5SQ
details
What Each Session Covers
#1 Translator as Theatre-Maker: Context & Specificity
Translation isn’t a straight path—it’s a journey of choices, discoveries, and creative problem-solving. How do we move between languages, cultures, and artistic practices while staying true to a play’s essence? This workshop explores the translator’s role as a theatre-maker, the balance between faithfulness and creative adaptation, and why specificity is everything when bringing a script to life.
#2 Working with Actors & Directors: Collaboration & Play
Translators don’t work in isolation. This workshop explores what happens when a translation enters the rehearsal room—how to engage in playful collaboration with actors and directors while understanding the translator’s unique role in the process. When do you hold your ground, and when do you embrace creative flexibility? Together we will navigate this dynamic.
#3 Getting a Play On: The Business of Theatre Translation
It’s tough out there—but we believe in finding ways to make it happen. This session explores various paths to getting a translated play in front of the right people: from pitching to finding collaborators and navigating the intricacies of the industry. Or as one translator once put it, ‘the journey of a translation’. Let’s explore these paths together and share strategies for getting your work out in the world.
What We’ll Be Doing:
Each workshop will focus on a different stage of the page-to-stage journey. Through interactive exercises, discussions, and creative exploration, you’ll:
- Deepen Your Craft: Engage with the unique challenges of theatre translation—where text isn’t just read, but spoken, embodied, and brought to life.
- Collaborate and Create: Take part in creative exercises, group discussions, and practical work to explore cultural context, artistic choices, and the translator’s role in the theatre-making process.
- Build Connections: Meet fellow theatre-makers and translators, exchange ideas, and discover opportunities for future collaboration.
Takeaways:
- Practical insights into working with plays in translation—from craft and creativity to the business side.
- New strategies to enhance your translation and theatre-making skills.
- A network of peers and professionals to support your work and foster future collaborations.
Who It’s For:
This workshop is open to translators, theatre-makers, and anyone passionate about language and live performance. All experience levels are welcome in this supportive space to experiment, ask questions, and share ideas.
Where To Find Us
Rose Lipman Building
43 De Beauvoir Road
London
N1 5SQ
The Rose Lipman Building has step-free access.
You can find directions here (we’ll also send these to you in advance).
When It’s Happening
Thursday 3 April, 14:30-17:30: Translator as Theatre-Maker
Thursday 1 May, 14:30-17:30: Working with Actors & Directors
Thursday 5 June, 14:30-17:30: Getting a Play On
Schedule
14:30-15:00: Arrival, tea, coffee and refreshments
15:00-17:00: Workshop (including a 10-minute break)
17:00-17:30: Wrap-up and networking
Before and after each session everyone will have time to connect, reflect, and ease in and out of the session. We’ll also be around to chat all things theatre and translation.
How Much It Costs
Thanks to the generous support of the TNL Community Fund and Arts Council England, these workshops are free of charge. However, if you’re able to, we’d greatly appreciate any donations to help us continue offering these opportunities.
Get In Touch
If you have any questions, please first check out our FAQs below. If you still need assistance, feel free to reach out to us at team@foreignaffairs.org.uk.
faq - theatre translation workshops
General
1. What will we be doing during the workshop?
You’ll participate in gentle theatre games and practical exercises rooted in our creative practice, including translation and cross-cultural collaborative work. The workshop is interactive, and you can participate at your own pace—no one will be forced to do anything! It’s all about experimenting, learning, and sharing in a relaxed atmosphere.
2. What is the schedule for the workshop?
The workshop runs from 14:30 to 17:00 with a 10-minute break. We’ll kick things off with tea, coffee and refreshments from 14:30. We hope you’ll join us for the wrap-up networking session from 17:00 to 17:30. For a detailed breakdown, please refer to the schedule above.
3. Where are the sessions taking place?
The sessions will take place at our home in Hackney, the Rose Lipman Building. We’ll be working in the old community hall, and please note that it can get a bit chilly when the temperatures drop, so we recommend bringing a warm layer to stay comfortable.
4. Do I need to bring anything with me?
We suggest bringing a notebook, something to write with, and a bottle of water and snacks (if you like us get the munchies in the afternoon).
5. What languages will be used in the workshops?
Our workshops are open to all languages, but we mainly focus on translators working into English and within a UK theatre context. That said, all language backgrounds are welcome!
Who Can Attend?
1. Who is this workshop for?
This workshop is for translators as well as performers and theatre-makers who have some language skills (e.g., speaking a second language).
2. Do I need any prior experience with translation or theatre?
These workshops are intended for people with a professional interest in theatre in translation, but if you’re passionate about language and live performance, you’re welcome to join us, regardless of experience. Our approach emphasises collaboration, knowledge exchange, and skill-sharing. You can expect a friendly, supportive environment where everyone’s ideas are valued, and learning is driven by shared experience.
Practical Details
1. How can I sign up for the session?
Just click the sign-up button on this web page, and you’re all set!
Each workshop is designed to stand alone, but together they offer a fuller picture of the art and industry of theatre translation. Feel free to sign up for multiple sessions, but please keep our booking policy in mind (see below).
2. Is there any accessibility support for the session?
In the sign-up form, we’ll ask about any access requirements, and we’ll be in touch to ensure we can best support you during the workshop.
2. What if I arrive late?
We strongly encourage arriving on time so you can get the most out of the experience. If you’re running late, please let us know in advance if possible. We know things happen, so don’t stress—we’ll find a way to catch you up.
A few days before the session, we’ll send you details, including how to get in touch, so you know who to reach out to if needed.
4. Will food be provided?
We’ll have tea, coffee, fruit, and biscuits available. There are also plenty of nearby places where you can grab something before or after the session.
5. Why is this session free?
This workshop is part of a series funded by the TNL Community Fund and Arts Council England.
As an artist-led company, we’re dedicated to sharing our journey and helping others explore the world of theatre-making and translation. Thanks to the generous support of our funders, we’re able to offer these opportunities at no cost. In today’s climate, we want to ensure access to the arts is available to everyone. That said, if you’re able to, we’d greatly appreciate any donations to help us continue offering free, accessible workshops like this.
Attendance & Booking Policies
1. What if I can’t make it for the whole session? Can I still attend part of the session?
Each workshop is designed as a complete experience, and we expect participants to commit to the entire session. If you’re unable to attend the full duration, we recommend waiting for a future opportunity when you can fully participate.
2. What if I can no longer make it?
We understand that plans change. If you need to cancel, please do so as soon as possible via the booking page or by emailing team@foreignaffairs.org.uk. This helps us offer your spot to someone on the waiting list.
3. What happens if I book but don’t show up?
As spaces are limited and the workshops are free, we ask for a firm commitment when booking. If you miss a session without canceling in advance, you may lose the opportunity to book future sessions this term. If you’ve booked multiple workshops, we may cancel your other bookings.
We often have a waiting list, so please let us know as soon as possible if you can’t attend, so someone else can take your place.
4. How many people can attend?
Our sessions have limited capacity, and spaces often fill up quickly. If a session is full, you can join the waiting list, and we’ll let you know if a spot becomes available.
What’s Next?
1. Is there any follow-up or further opportunities after the session?
Absolutely! We run a series of workshops throughout the year. You can find more sessions and workshops here – all part of our Spring/Summer Season 2024.
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