Spark to Stage

August 2026

We will be recruiting up to twenty young people aged 14-15 for each of two pop-up theatre companies, one in Colchester, one in Basildon. As well as the four days you’ll spend together based at your theatre, there will be three or four zooms in the run up to the event. These will give you an opportunity to meet each other and have some early practice at some of the skills you’ll be developing as you devise, improvise and script your scenes based on the theme you choose as a group.

 

There will be an opportunity to meet your hosts and ask questions at an introductory zoom on 18th June at 6 p.m. After that, sign-ups will open at 6 p.m. on the 19th June and it will be first come, first served, with a waiting list operating for those who don’t bag a place. To register for the zoom and get the joining code, click here.

 

The Full Schedule

 

Basildon Company, Towngate Theatre, Basildon

 

Pre-Course Zooms: Tuesdays July 14th, 21st, and 28th at 6.00 p.m.

Workshops/rehearsals - Wednesday 5th, Thursday 6th, Friday 7th August 10.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.

Dress rehearsals - Saturday 8th August 2.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m. 

Performance - Saturday 8th 7.30 p.m. to 8.30 p.m.

 

Colchester Company, Mercury Theatre, Colchester

 

Pre-Course Zooms: Tuesdays July 14th, 21st, and 28th at 7.30 p.m.

Workshops/rehearsals - Tuesday 11th, Wednesday 12th, Thursday 13th August 10.00 a.m. - 4.00 p.m.

Dress rehearsals - Friday 14th 10.00 a.m. to 4.45 p.m. 

Performance - Friday 14th 5.00 p.m. to 6.00 p.m.

 

What’s It Cost?

 

Essex County Council are supporting this as part of their Year of Opportunity. So while the real cost runs to hundreds of pounds per participant, the cost to families is just £60, or as little as £30 for those entitled to Pupil Premium support at school who attend the full course. 

 

Who Are We Looking For?

 

Keen and enthusiastic young people aged 14 or 15 at the time of the event (or who would have just finished Year 9 or Year 10 in school reckoning), who enjoy working in a team and at least one of acting, improvising, writing, directing, stage managing - and are willing to turn their hand to some of the others. These teams work best if most people are sometimes willing to step up boldly and shine, but also happy to step back and support the ideas of others. Because it’s such a valuable opportunity, every participant must be enthusiastic and committed to attending the whole course and playing their part. You don’t have to be the world’s greatest actor, but you do need to have the back of your team and be willing to give 100%. If you wouldn’t be disappointed to miss out on this chance, please don’t put yourself forward.

 

Who’s Running the Course

 

Charlie Sturgeon is part of the team here at p4he.org where we run online classes and residentials for a mix of home-ed and school-going young people. Charlie does classes in improv, creative writing, Shakespeare, Dungeons and Dragons and social deduction games such as Werewolves, Blood on the Clocktower and Two Rooms and a Boom. He also teaches improv to adults and has serious acting chops as the former leading man of the Australlian Shakespeare Company. 

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Harriet Smith is co-founder of Ignition Arts, an exciting, fun, and engaging theatre company. "We believe the arts have the power to bring people together, build resilience, and spark lasting positive change. Through drama we can connect, collaborate, and grow — let’s make something awesome!” She has been writing drama for young people for years as well as teaching drama, training teachers and working as a creative consultant developing and facilitating award-winning interactive experiences to teach and support people and families affected by MS.​

 

What will you get from the experience?

 

An in-at-the-deep-end experience of creating theatre on an intense schedule and performing in a professional theatre; some new creative skills; some new friends, and extra confidence and “I-did-THATness”

 

​How do I apply?

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Click here to register for the parents' and participants' information zoom on June 18th at 6 p.m. Even if you can't make that zoom, it'll make sure you get all the info, including the link to register for a place which will go live at 6.00 p.m. on Friday 19th June.  

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I'm a drama teacher - how can I get my students involved?

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We're doing some outreach workshops to schools that are keen to get behind this project. Email Harriet to see if there are any slots left, and in any case, please let your Year 9 & 10 students know, and print off this version of the flyer for your drama noticeboard.