Educational Outreach

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.’