Converge
Theatre and performance courses
Discover the theatre and performance courses we offer.
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All our courses may be subject to change. You will be notified of these changes if necessary.
Actors Bootcamp
Course length: 8 weeks
Learning type: Online through Converge Connected
Actors Bootcamp is an 8 week drama course exploring how we can perform live, in the comfort of our own spaces. Escape from the 'everyday' using drama as the creative outlet and means of expression on this exciting course with one of our Converge Northumbria (Newcastle) tutors.
Over 8 weeks, we'll develop and devise our own performances through acting master classes, script writing, working with text and various other techniques. Born from Zoom to Stage, this course will bring new challenges as we dive deeper into devising and developing our own performance styles, while also exploring theatre practitioners and how we can implement their teaching into our work.
This course is for those who have an interest in theatre and drama. It is ideal as a follow on for students who have previously studied Zoom to Stage in its 6 week form, but equally, no previous experience is necessary.
Improv Comedy
Course length: 8 weeks
Learning type: On campus learning
This is a fun and accessible course if you want to learn the tips and tricks of making things up as you go along!
No experience is necessary for this introduction to Improv Comedy where you don't need to worry about being funny but you can be sure of having plenty of laughs along the way.
Together we will use many different and playful games to release and rediscover creativity and confidence.
Introduction to Physical Theatre
Course length: 6 weeks
Learning type: On campus learning
A supplementary course to Working Towards Performance using the body as the main tool.
Each session we will go through various forms of 'theatre and expression' using movement and sound. Each session will focus on ensemble and devising or working from text, as well as solo or duet work. We will use music, sounds, props and minimal text to underpin our learning. We will learn to create narrative and characters in the moment by playing games, having fun, and exploring the way we move. From there we can then challenge ourselves to move differently.
We are a very relaxed course. Each session we mobilise our body within our limits of that day. We allow ourselves space, freedom and play, and let that be the lead for our exploration.
Movement Improvisation to Live Music
Course length: 8 weeks
Learning type: On campus learning
The aim of this course is for people to respond emotionally to live music in order to discover their innate ability to dance. Working with a movement tutor and a live pianist, our hope is that the sensitive coupling of music and movement will create an exciting and unpredictable result for each student who attends our classes in a safe and nurturing environment. Whether it is tiny movements using only the toes, or much bigger, more dramatic gestures, whatever the students are inspired to create will be valid and unique. Open to all – no experience required.
Playback Theatre
Course length: Monthly sessions
Course location: Online through Converge Connected
On this course you will learn the basics of performing this exciting improvisational theatre form.
Playback theatre brings together theatre-makers, improvisers and storytellers. It focuses on creating a unique experience for performers and an audience by collaborating to tell a shared story.
Site-Specific Performance
Course length: 6 weeks
Learning type: On campus learning
This is an exciting course which explores how theatre and performances can be made in spaces other than in a traditional theatre studio (such as outdoors, or in other spaces on the York St John campus).
Each week, you will look at a variety of performance techniques and how to use them in different locations. You will also explore how to perform with objects and structures, as well as learning about the history of the place you are in and how that can help create a performance.
This Converge course is suitable for complete beginners as well as Converge students who have existing skills or have already taken part in other Converge theatre courses.
Working Towards Performance
Course length: 15 weeks
Learning type: On campus learning
Working Towards Performance takes all the skills learned and developed in the Introduction to Theatre course and utilises them to make an original piece of theatre.
Starting with just an idea, we will work week-on-week to create characters and devise a script with the aim of staging our very own production at the end of term in one of York St John University's performance spaces!
While this course is open to new students with an interest in creating a piece of theatre, spaces will be prioritised for Converge students who participated in Introduction to Theatre during autumn term 2024.
I would wish to say how amazing the tutors are. How much time they give. How they make everyone welcome. It's a fantastic place full of great people.
— Converge student
