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Welcome to our Creative Learning Department at Milton Keynes Theatre

The Ambassador Theatre Group is proud to support an extensive programme of Creative Learning activities across its many theatres in the UK.

The aim of the Creative Learning department is to create a range of opportunities for people to get involved in activities at the theatre, have fun, learn new skills, meet people and be part of the creative community within the theatre and beyond.

Creative Learning is designed for people aged 3 – 103+ and we aim to offer something of interest to most people.

Listed below you will find a range of weekly classes that we hold at the theatre and operate throughout the school term, one off show related workshops led by a variety of professionals, details on longer term projects that we are running, as well as information on tours, insights, pre and post-show talks and access performances that we run at the theatre.

Weekly Classes
 

Adult Acting:

Always wanted to perform?
Do you have a passion for acting?

Milton Keynes Theatre is now running adult acting classes. The programme is ideal for those who are interested in exploring actor training methods for performance, for current actors in training to progress their skills, drama teachers and directors.

Thursdays 7-9 pm
Price - £80 Classes commence 23rd September
Weekly for 8 weeks

 

Scriptwriting:

Have you every thought about writing for the stage? Got some ideas but not sure how to turn them into a script? The group, led by writer Sally Luff meet once a week to explore ideas and writing techniques in a friendly, supportive environment.

Thursdays 7pm-9pm
£70 per term
Commences:
Beginners group- 9th September
Intermediate group- 16th September

 

Youth Theatre:

Milton Keynes Theatre runs a resident Youth Theatre that is for people aged 6 - 19yrs who have an interest and commitment to theatre. There are 6 groups, split according to age and they each meet once a week during term time. We currently have spaces for all ages for the Autumn.

Next term commences:
Tuesday 7th/Wednesday 8th September 2010

Course fee: £75 per term/£195 per year

 

Free Taster Sessions are available for all of our weekly classes.



One-off workshops and classes

 

Annie

Sing the songs from one of the world’s most famous musicals before you see the show.

4yrs+ (under 16’s must be accompanied by an adult)

Wed 1 September 1-2pm

Thu 2-Sat 4 September 6-7pm

£5 per person/ £3 concessions

 

The Habit of Art: Behind the scenes

A participatory open rehearsal for A Level; F.E. and H.E. students to meet members of the National Theatre Company and to participate in a workshop based on Nicolas Hytner's rehearsal process of The Habit of Art.  Led by National Theatre Assistant Director Nadia Fall. 

Wed 20 October

Group bookings only.

Please do not contact Milton Keynes Theatre to book this event.

To book, call 0207 452 3306

 

 

Intro to Stage Combat

A two-day workshop by the British Academy of Stage and Screen Combat for 14-18yrs offering practical training skills in unarmed combat.

No prior experience necessary.

Wed 27 & Thu 28 October

10am-4pm

£40 per person

 

Special Effects Make-up

An intensive day workshop giving you the skills to create special effects make-up for stage, screen and Halloween!

14-19yrs

Sat 30 October

10am-4pm

£25 per person

 

English National Ballet:

 

Behind the Scenes

An inspirational talk including a costume and orchestra presentation and watch the dancers in rehearsal for a memorable day at the ballet.

Thursday 4 November

10.30am

Ages 16+

£28 per person

 

 

On-Stage Creative Ballet Workshop
Explore the world of Romeo and Juliet through our captivating repertoire workshop with special behind the scenes activities.

Saturday 6 November

9.30am-12pm

Ages 11-14

£14 per person

 

 

The Merry Wives of Windsor

A practical one hour workshop exploring the text and characters from William Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor.

Thu 18 & Sat 20 Nov

6-7pm

17yrs+

£5 per person

 

Discover Dick Whittington

Perform and discover the adventures of Dick Whittington and his cat whilst practically exploring the British traditional style and history of our much loved panto!

Group Bookings only.

Please enquire for available dates.

 

Places on many of the classes and events can sell out, so booking in advance is essential.  

To be put on the Creative Learning department’s mailing list, discuss an up-coming event or any of the activities programmed, please contact the Creative Learning Department on 01908 547651 or e-mail creativelearningmkt@theambassadors.com

Milton Keynes Theatre and The Ambassador Theatre Group is also an active member of Action for Children’s Arts and fully endorses its recent Manifesto for Children’s Arts which is inspired by Article 31 of the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child:

'Every child has the right to rest and leisure, to engage in play and recreational activities appropriate to the age of the child and to participate freely in cultural life and the arts'

For more information on the Manifesto, please visit www.childrensarts.org.uk

 



 

 

 

Opportunities for all ages

Schools Activity
The Creative Learning Dept are keen to work with schools and groups in a flexible and informative manner. To discuss tours, workshops, Insights and/or careers events, please contact the Creative Learning Department on 01908 547651 or e-mail creativelearningmkt@theambassadors.com

Signed Performances

Performance: Hairspray
Date: Sat 25th September
Time: 2.30pm
By: Andy Higgins
Standing:  Stage right

Performance: Dick Whittington
Date: Thursday 16th December
Time: 7pm
By: Clare Edwards
Standing: Stage Right

Audio Described Performances

Performance: The Habit of Art
Date: Friday 22nd Oct
Time: 7.30pm

Performance: Dick Whittington
Date: Monday 10th January 2011
Time: 11am and 6pm
By: Anne Hornsby 

Touch Tour

Performance: The Habit of Art
Event: Touch Tour
Location: Auditorium
Date: Friday 22nd October
Time: 6pm – 6.30pm

Performance: Dick Whittington
Date:  Monday 10th January 2011
Time: 4.30pm
By: Anne Hornsby

TalkBack Events
Pre and post show talks

Performance: The Habit of Art
Event: Post show talk
Location: Auditorium
Date: Thursday 21st October
Time:  After evening performance

Romeo and Juliet
Free Pre-Show Talk
Fri 5th   Nov 6.15pm
Napelton Room

Glyndebourne
Tue 9th         auditorum
Wed 10th   napelton room
Thurs 11th Nov napelton room
Free Pre-Show Talk
6.15 – 6.45pm

WNO - 2011

Die Fledermaus
Wed 13th and Fr 15th April

Pre-performance talks
6.15pm
napelton room

Audio described perf
Fri 15 April

Post show discussion
Wed 13th April

Il Trovatore
Thurs 14th and sat 16th April

Pre-performance talks 6.15pm
Napelton room

Post-show talk back Thurs 14th April

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The Creative Learning department at Milton Keynes Theatre currently only offer event-specific work placements on events such as our annual dance show MKT RAW RE:BOURNE. To find out more about these opportunities or to register your interest, please contact the creative learning department on creativelearningmkt@theambassadors.com / 01908 547651 

Alternatively, the Ambassador Theatre Group offers regular opportunities for young people and students to gain experience of working life in the commercial theatre sector.

Please note, as most of our theatres are receiving venues we do not have the following departments in-house: costume, make-up, production or stage management. If you are interested in gaining experience in those areas, you need to contact a producing theatre.

Work Placement Application Form

Careers in Theatre

How can I be…


An actor?
Acting may appear to be a glamorous profession but it is hard work to earn a living. If you are passionate about your desire to be a performer, then you should initially explore different qualifications open to you at school or college, such as Drama GCSE and A-Level which can provide a good foundation in the artform, as well as perhaps joining a Youth Theatre or Theatre School. Most professional actors  have received professional training at one of the accredited drama schools. For a list of which schools are accredited, please see the National Council for Drama Training website (www.ncdt.co.uk).

A theatre technician?
Working backstage in a theatre can be really exciting – and potentially really dangerous. It is therefore unlikely that you will be able to get work experience in a theatre where you can properly experience technical work. However, the good new sis that most theatres have a stage crew – casual staff who come in to work as and when needed. Starting as a stage crew member is an excellent way to learn the ropes and to discover if this kind of work is for you. Doing general crew work will bring you into contact with stage management, technical stage management, flying, electrics (LX) and sound, and will enable you to learn more about any fo the above if you are willing and interested. Contact your local theatre and ask to speak to the Technical Stage Manager oif you are interested in gaining some experience backstage.

A person who really wants to work in theatre who doesn’t want to be an actor or a technician?!
There are plenty of other jobs available in theatre. These range from Marketing, Press, Development , Creative/Learning (community work), Box Office, Theatre Management, Finance and Administration. These are often areas you can experience through a work placement, so contacting your local venue and explaining what you are interested in is often the best idea.


How can I find out more?
There are some general pieces of advice we try to give anyone who is interested in working in theatre…

The first is GO AND SEE LOTS OF THEATRE! The best way to find out what you really want to do, or where you want to work, is to experience all sorts of different styles of theatre in all sorts of different places. The more you see, the more you will learn and form your own opinions. It’s also amazing how many people say they are interested in the theatre but don’t’ actually go and see or participate in it! Seeing things also always gives you something to talk about in job interviews or auditions, which is important.

The second is to read about theatre. The industry has a weekly newspaper called The Stage, which is a good way to improve your understanding of the sector. Reading reviews in the national newspapers, or joining in discussions on a theatre website can also be useful.

Thirdly, get to know your local theatre. If you are lucky enough to have a theatre near to where you live – get to know it, and the people who work there. Many many people in this industry started working in their local venue as an usher, or  Box Office assistant, or a member of stage crew. This sort of experience not only improves your knowledge but brings you into contact with lost of other people in the industry, which is usually a good way to find out what other opportunities are out there.


The Arts Council has produced an excellent website on careers in theatre called www.getintotheatre.org. It has lots of information about all sorts of different jobs as well as information on qualifications, a CV clinic and an industry overview.

Alternatively, if you would like to ask a question, select Contact Us at the top of this page and will do our best to get the appropriate member of Ambassador Theatre Group staff to answer it as soon as possible.

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1. Child Protection

The Ambassador Theatre Group has a comprehensive Child Protection Policy designed to ensure the safety and well-being of all children and young people who use its venues.
To read our Policy in full, please click here

2. Guidelines for Visiting School Groups
The Ambassador Theatre Group offers guidelines for school groups to help ensure their visit to the theatre runs smoothly.

To read these guidelines, please click here

3. Annual Review
Please click here to read the Creative Learning Annual Review 08/09

4. Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I do Work Experience with the Ambassador Theatre Group?
Please visit our Work Placement section.
Please note, as most of our theatres are receiving venues we do not have the following departments in-house: costume, make-up, production or stage management. If you are interested in gaining experience in those areas, you need to contact a producing theatre.


Q: How I book a place on your classes?
ATG is proud to offer a wide range of participatory classes across its theatres. Most of these regular classes and youth theatre groups are booked on a termly basis. Please go to your local venue’s pages for specific information on how to book places on each class.


Q: How do I become an actor/administrator/technician in theatre?
Please see our Section on Careers in Theatre for more information on all of the options available to you.


Q: Can I audition for your shows?

Unfortunately not. Most of the shows presented in our theatres are produced by other theatre producers. Therefore, the Ambassador Theatre Group is not involved in casting them – the producers do that.

We occasionally audition for children’s roles in some productions which have a large number of children in the cast such as pantomime, but this is rare. Such opportunities are usually advertised locally.  

If you want to be an actor, please see our section on Careers in Theatre section in Work Placements for advice on how to enter the profession.

Q: How can I meet the stars?
Sometimes we are able to offer unique opportunities to meet the actors and creative teams through events like pre- or post-show talks.  Information about all such events will be listed in each theatre’s Season Brochure and on this website.

Please remember that actors are busy people who work hard to give their best performance at every show and whilst they are usually very happy to take part in Question and Answer Sessions occasionally, it is unreasonable to expect them to engage in such events all the time.

Q: I am a theatre education practitioner. How can I work for the Ambassador Theatre Group?
We are always interested to meet new freelance practitioners. Please send a CV to the Head of Creative Learning (see Contacts section), or to your local Creative Learning Manager, if you are interested in working for the Group.

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If you have any further questions about out Creative Learning program, would like to join our mailing list or find out more about our activities, please call the Creative Learning department on 01908 547651 or e-mail creativelearningmkt@theambassadors.com

Lizzie Yirrell
Creative Learning Manager
lizzieyirrell@theambassadors.com

Charlie Parker
Creative Learning Officer
creativelearningmkt@theambassadors.com

Milton Keynes Theatre
500 Marlborough Gate
Milton Keynes
MK9 3NZ