PYT Summer Workshop 2026: Responses to Theatre

PROGRESS YOUTH THEATRE IS OFFERING AN EXCITING NEW WORKSHOP THIS SUMMER LED BY OUR HIGHLY EQUIPPED AND PROFESSIONAL YOUTH THEATRE FACILITATOR.

Young theatre makers, we have an exciting opportunity for those in school years 9-13; the chance to work together to create, rehearse, and stage a performance in three days! Through games, acting exercises, and a dynamic rehearsal process, we will develop theatre skills and build confidence in performing.

Together, we will attend Progress Theatre’s performance of Hamlet in the Abbey Ruins before meeting to discuss and devise our responses to the play. This creative process will see us delve into using music as a stimulus, developing short scenes and monologues, and crafting a devised piece that will bring themes from the play into the context of today. This is a truly exciting chance to flex your creative muscles, and we are thrilled to be offering this inspiring opportunity to 13-18 year olds this year.

Creativity and kindness go hand in hand at Progress Youth Theatre and we encourage young people with any level of experience who would like to learn, create, and perform in a friendly and supportive atmosphere to get involved! Friends and family are invited to come and see the culmination of the participants’ work at 5.45pm on the Thursday evening.

Attendance at Hamlet ahead of the workshop is not mandatory, but highly reccomended. Familiarity with the play is sufficient.

Dates and times

Tuesday 28 & Wednesday 29 July, 9.30am-4.30pm
Thursday 30 July 9.30am-6.30pm, including presenting to an audience at 5:45pm

Price

Price for the three day course:

Full Price - £120
or PYT Member Price - £100

The course fee includes a ticket for the workshop participant to Progress Theatre’s Open Air production of Hamlet in the Abbey Ruins, Reading. The workshop group will attend together Monday 20 July (7:30pm). The ticket is valid at other performances, and a discount of 25% is offered to family booking with a workshop participant.

Enrolment in the workshop does not guarantee tickets will be available for families to use their discount on their preferred performance - book early to avoid disappointment!

Signing up

Students need to enrole for the workshop. Please submit one form for each participant.

More information

At PYT, we want theatre to be accessible to everyone. Please get in touch if we can do anything to further support this.

On the last day of the workshop there will be a short performance for friends and family pulling together the skills learned across the three days. Information on timings will be sent out at a later date. Students will stay at the theatre and have a dinner break followed by final tech rehearsal.