Sheffield Theatres' Summer School 2012 Begins July 23

Sheffield Theatres is offering budding performers and theatre practitioners a fortnight of activities to inspire and entertain this summer as their successful Summer School programme returns from Monday 23 July – Friday 3 August.

Aimed at adults and young people aged from five upwards, Summer School 2012 provides the chance to play, make, share and perform, while working with experienced professional theatre artists chosen specially by Sheffield Theatres.

In a change to previous years, Summer School 2012 has split the sessions for four age groups: 5 – 8, 9 – 12, 13 - 15 and 16+. There is also a group for learning technical skills for ages 16+. Over the two weeks each of the groups will devise a series of brand new short plays and performances that will première on the Studio stage on Friday 3 August.

Working with the two youngest groups (5 – 8 and 9 – 12) is Alex Thorpe, who returns to the theatre following his residency earlier this year, where he was Assistant Director on Democracy, Betrayal, Company and One Monkey Don't Stop No Show. Alex will be supported by local dancer and choreographer, Martha Lamb and Emily Hutchinson, Sheffield Theatres' Creative Projects Manager.

Leading the two 13 – 15 year old groups is theatre director and producer Rebecca Gould and actor and director, Denny Smith. Rebecca is currently Education Associate at the Royal Shakespeare Company, and Denny's last work transferred to The National Theatre as part of the Connections Festival 2012. They will be assisted by theatre deviser, Alfred Heffer and local actor Ray Castleton.

Sheffield Theatres' Creative Producer, Andrew Loretto (LeanerFasterStronger and Lives in Art) will lead the 16+ theatre group, alongside Sheffield born choreographer, movement director and dancer, Caroline Lamb (Passing Through). Lighting designer and technical consultant Dave Roxburgh will teach the technical skills group with Jenny Crowder (Company, One Day When We Were Young and LeanerFasterStronger) and Sheffield Theatres' Assistant Stage Manager Lucy Topham (Betrayal, The Way of the World, Company and Othello).

Supporting the sessions, which will take place on Sheffield Theatres' stages and in the rehearsal rooms, is voice coach Nia Lynn, currently working on the RSC's Olivier award-winning production of Matilda, and movement coach Balbir Singh, Artistic Director of locally-based Balbir Singh Dance Company. Balbir most recently staged Synchronised at Pond's Forge in Sheffield, a fusion of Kathak dance and synchronised swimming as part of the imove Cultural Olympiad programme in Yorkshire.

Sheffield Theatres' Creative Producer, Andrew Loretto commented: 'The artists leading this year's Sheffield Theatres Summer School bring an outstanding range of interNational Theatre experiences to our venues. The Summer School represents an unbeatable opportunity for young people and adults to learn lighting, stage management and acting skills in a professional, friendly environment.'

Summer School 2012 places cost £160.00 for two weeks. To book a place contact Sheffield Theatres' Box Office on 0114 249 6000.

For further details about Summer School 2012, or to enquire about a limited number of discounted bursary places, please visit our website or call 0114 201 3888.

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