Educational Outreach

Students from Glasshouse College, Stourbridge, UK, at a recent Hamlet workshop

Common Ground Theatre believes that the transformative power of theatre should be accessible to everyone, regardless of background, ability, or experience. 

Our mission is to bring engaging, creative workshops to schools, colleges and organizations, in particular those with learning disabled students, and to foster an inclusive environment where all participants can explore, express, and discover the joy of performance.

We are passionate about using the rich legacy of Shakespeare’s work as a tool for empowerment and personal growth. Through our tailored workshops, participants will have the opportunity to interact with the timeless themes, characters, and language of Shakespeare in a way that is accessible, fun, and engaging. We aim to break down barriers to understanding Shakespeare’s words, allowing everyone – regardless of ability – to connect with the material in a meaningful and personal way.

Our workshops and internships will provide students with an experience of what it is to work with a theatre company, and the many challenges and rewards this brings.

This will be done through building confidence, enhancing communication skills, and encouraging self-expression, while nurturing a sense of belonging and community. 

By partnering with schools and organizations, we seek to foster an environment of inclusivity where everyone has the opportunity to shine. Whether through physical movement, vocal exercises,  collaborative scene work, or behind the scenes skill sets, our sessions provide participants with a safe and supportive space to grow, learn, and explore the transformative world of theatre.

We are committed to ensuring that Shakespeare and the world he created is available to all – A common ground, inspiring the next generation of performers, thinkers, and storytellers.

Testimonials

Justin Scriven (Head of Drama GlassHouse College)

‘Common Ground Theatre spent a whole week working alongside students from Glasshouse college and other Ruskin Mill Trust colleges, who provide specialist, therapeutic education for students with Special Educational needs.

Over a period of five days, students explored William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, through a workshop process, using movement, gestures, speech, chorus work and acting skills 

Through the above process, students were able to gain an understanding of the play and its themes, and relate it to some of the social issues that we face in today’s society. 

They  were also able to use the skills they had learned, and bring to life some of the scenes and Characters using the workshop techniques, so richly taught by Sadie and the company, with an opportunity to share what they had learnt to an audience using both Shakespeare’s original text as well as improvised dialogues, which demonstrated a deeper understanding of the text. 

The creative and educational relationship between Common Ground Theatre and Ruskin Mill Trust students was very special, and has left a lasting legacy which students are still talking about, and one that we hope will continue into the future.’

 

Kyra Byrnes (Music Teacher, GlassHouse College)

“It has been an incredible week witnessing how each part of the process has had a direct impact on students. It has been an enriching and transformative process, enabling our students to become more present, self aware and confident in their interactions and roles when working with others.

I have witnessed students responding in ways that have shown  growth, maturity and independence. The students have directly met and faced their fears, moving into self generated conscious action. Through the different skills and processes taught to them,  students have really experienced the emotional journey of the characters from Hamlet, and been able to apply this to themselves personally, immersing themselves fully.

A massive thank you to Sadie, Nathan, Lydia, Sophie and George at Common Ground Theatre Company for hosting the most incredible Week. You have shown so much patience, kindness, and empathy to our students and have really supported and encouraged each one of them to experience this week to the fullest.

For more information, please email Artistic Director Sadie Jemmett // sadie@commongroundtheatre.org