Workshops
Scratchworks have been delivering theatre workshop to children, students, adults and creative professionals for over 10 years. Inspiring and engaging people of all ages and abilities in the arts is a key value of ours, and we approach every workshop prioritising curiosity and collaboration.
Scroll down to find more information on our workshop packages for in-person, CPD and digital workshops.
We will also be happy to discuss bespoke workshops for specific requirements
Please contact Laura at scratchworkstheatre@gmail.com for all workshop enquiries
“An inspirational and well executed workshop that was pitched perfectly at my students … I cannot recommend them highly enough.”
Mr D. Salter, West Exe School
“Really loved working with SFX materials … They provided a wide variety of techniques to help with the devising process and there was a good rapport between us all!”
Mrs S. Wright, Exmouth Community College
in-person workshops
FIGHTS, PLIGHTS & POLITICAL DELIGHTS
For ages 11+
Scratchworks invites you to a fun and physical workshop using current events or moments in history as stimuli for a story. With conspiracy theories, conflicts and comic characters a-plenty, we will explore how historical & political events can be an excellent starting point for making dynamic & thought-provoking theatre.
Participants will get chance to learn the basics in slapstick comedy & choreograph an original fight sequence.
Suited to KS3 & KS4
DEVISING FROM SCRATCH
For ages 8+
Using Scratchworks’ very own rehearsal room
exercises, we provide participants with a range of
theatre-making games and techniques to apply to their
own work. As a physical theatre company, we include
exercises which encourage collaborative, spontaneous and imaginative work.
Students are encouraged to evaluate each
other’s work and provide directorial suggestions in a
supportive environment. This workshop will be tailored to the needs of your group & is highly recommended for GCSE, A Level & BTEC courses.
Suited to KS2, KS3, KS4, KS5 & adult groups
prop manipulation and Puppetry
For ages 11+
Transform the ordinary into the extraordinary with a workshop that makes you look at objects in a brand new light. This is a key skill set of all Scratchworks shows and encompasses our innovative style.
Using a pile of items found around the house and the costume cupboard, exercises include creative challenges to utilise props in new ways, and bring them to life including core puppetry skills. For more advanced students we encourage them to take a directorial eye on how props read to an audience.
Suited to KS4, KS5 & adult groups
clowning and comedy
For ages 11+
Join Scratchworks for a fun and playful exploration into clowning and building characters. Delving into animal behaviour, slapstick physicality and finding your inner fool, this workshop encourages joy and playfulness in storytelling.
Smaller groups are advised for more exploration time and allows space for participants to try and fail in the best ways.
Suited to KS4, KS5 & adult groups
PRODUCING FOR BEGINNERS
For ages 16+
Scratchworks presents an interactive discussion led by the Co-Artistic Directors of the company.
This workshop will provide an experienced insight into the day to day workings of producing for theatre
companies. Providing integral advice for early stage
companies, we will cover:
Arts Council Project Grant Funding Application
Marketing (Online & Print Marketing)
Tour Booking & Planning
Budget Management
Suited to KS4, KS5 & adult groups
FOLEY for theatre
For ages 14+
Foley is the process of creating sound effects for film, audio and in the case of our critically acclaimed show, Nel, for theatre too! This workshop enables participants to play with live sound effects and tell
stories through the medium of bangs, scrapes, whistles and whirrs. From a steam train to a flock of birds we introduce how Foley artists tell stories through sound.
For more advanced students, we will also include hands on tutoring with sound equiptment. Learning the qualities of three different microphones, an electronic EQ and sound desk, our participants will create a live soundscape to influence the action on stage.
Suited to KS4, KS5 & adult groups
performance & a workshop
Have you booked in a Scratchworks performance for your school or organisation? This is an excellent opportunity to try out the creative skills you see on stage.
Scratchworks can work with participants either before or after the show to
play in a day
Got a Drama Day or an enthusiastic group of theatre makers? The challenge of creating a Play in a Day can be exciting, rewarding and produce exciting, imaginative ideas. Scratchworks have facilitated many Play in a Days with up to 40 students. The day includes workshops in idea development, quick fire decision making & devising, weaving content together and rehearsal.
Suited to KS4 + KS5 and requires additional support from teachers.
CPD workshops
Continuous Professional Development
We offer interactive and creative sessions for professions looking for either an introduction or a refresh on devising and Scratchworks’ imaginative approach to theatre. This is an excellent way to stay up to date with new, exciting theatre techniques and creative tools.
We focus on practical tasks and activities that can be adapted to different ages and environments.
Each CPD workshop is created bespoke to meet the requirements of each group, but examples of CPD Workshops include:
Devising
Prop manipulation and Puppetry
Tools to create your own work
Comedy and Clowning
Creative Writing
Movement & Physical Theatre
“I really enjoyed it all but I think the stand out experience for me was the ease of creating the newspaper puppets and then bringing them to life. I thought that was so simple and yet so effective. I am going to use this as part of a Year 7 module.”
digital workshops
Foley at home
For Ages 11+
Foley is the process of creating sound effects for film, audio and in the case of our critically acclaimed show, Nel, for theatre too! This workshop enables participants to play with live sound effects and tell
stories through the medium of bangs, scrapes, whistles and whirrs. From a steam train to a flock of birds we introduce how Foley artists tell stories through sound.
This digital workshops utilises the items we have around us to tell a story. Tailored to the participants individual environments, this practical workshop brings foley to life and add a cinematic twist on the zoom screen.
Suited to KS2 & KS3
Duration: 1.5 - 3 hrs
idea development
For Ages 14+
This session provides opportunities for quick-fire idea development using games & short exercises to spark creativity, find out what excites us and leave the ‘critical mind’ at the door. Participants will work individually to follow their unique creative instincts and also collaborate in small groups to explore the benefits of working as a team.
This session is well-suited to devising groups at the start of their process working collaboratively to create original ideas.
Suited to KS4, KS5 & beyond
Duration: 1.5 - 3 hrs
““We were really looking forward to our online foley workshop with Scratchworks and it was FANTASTIC. We had such a blast and they were a great company to work with. Looking forward to working with them again in the future”
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