Frequently searched for
Latest events
Exploring theatre skills for everyday life
Theatre Club is a free eight-week course that uses theatre skills to build confidence, foster connections and support wellbeing.
Designed for adults aged 18+ who face barriers to accessing the arts, the programme runs three times a year, welcoming 20 participants each term to explore a different theatre discipline. Each term is led by a professional theatre practitioner and supported by a dedicated wellbeing facilitator.
Alongside the weekly workshops, participants enjoy free theatre visits, backstage tours and an end-of-year celebration event, along with the chance to join our OV Community Network.
Participants can self-refer or be referred by link workers, charities or community organisations. No previous theatre experience is needed, just an openness to try something new.
Each term will include:
- One introductory workshop led by The Old Vic’s Education & Community team
- Six bespoke workshops led by a professional theatre practitioner and supported by a wellbeing facilitator
- One free theatre visit to an Old Vic production
- A focus on a different theatre discipline each term, exploring practical skills you can use beyond the course and providing resources to take home
- An end of year celebration event bringing together all programme participants
- A backstage tour of The Old Vic
- The opportunity to join our OV Community Network mailing list for ongoing events and opportunities
- Guidance and support from the programme’s facilitators and The Old Vic’s Community Manager throughout the programme
- Access and travel support if required.
The programme runs three times a year, with each term comprising of eight sessions.
We offer a free taster session before each term, giving anyone interested the chance to meet the team and try a workshop before deciding to apply.
Upcoming Terms
Term Three: Improvisation with Aoife O’Sullivan
- Taster Session: Tue 05 May 2026, 6.30–8pm
- Course dates: Tue 09 Jun–Tue 28 Jul 2026
Applications open on a term-by-term basis.
Term Three
Delivered over eight sessions, term three will focus on improvisation and will be led by performer and Old Vic education facilitator Aoife O’Sullivan.
The sessions will explore:
- Improvisation games to unlock creativity and spontaneity
- Imaginative exercises for building character and relationships
- Movement and physical theatre to energise storytelling
- Vocal work to build confidence, expression and group connection.
Course dates
Taster session: Tue 05 May 2026, 6.30–8pm
- Week One Tue 09 Jun 2026, 6.30–8.30pm
- Week Two Tue 16 Jun 2026, 6.30–8.30pm
- Week Three Tue 23 Jun 2026, 6.30–8.30pm
- Week Four Tue 30 Jun 2026, 6.30–8.30pm
- Week Five Tue 07 Jul 2026, 7.30–10.30pm (Performance at The Old Vic)
- Week Six Tue 14 Jul 2026, 6.30–8.30pm
- Week Seven Tue 21 Jul 2026, 6.30–8.30pm
- Week Eight Tue 28 Jul 2026, 6.30–8.30pm
This programme is for adults (18+) who:
- Are curious about trying improv and have little or no previous theatre experience
- Have experienced barriers to access arts opportunities. This could include personal, social, financial, cultural, health-related or systemic factors
- Would like to build confidence and connect with others in a welcoming group.
You must also:
- Be based in London or surrounding areas and able to travel to The Old Vic
- Be available for the full programme dates.
Priority for places
If the programme is oversubscribed, we will prioritise people who have been underrepresented or underserved within arts provision. This may include (but is not limited to) people from the Global Majority, working‑class backgrounds, care‑experienced people, carers, disabled and neurodivergent people, and LGBTQIA+ people.
- A wellbeing facilitator will be present at every session to support participation
- All sessions take place in The Old Vic’s Backstage building, which has step-free access
- At The Old Vic, we are committed to providing inclusive access to support participants’ creative and learning processes. We will work with you to implement any reasonable adjustments before the programme begins to ensure the right support is in place
- Course content and resources can be adapted to suit your learning style
- Additional access and travel support can be provided if required
- The Old Vic offers accessible performances, including Captioned, Audio Described, British Sign Language (BSL) Interpreted and Relaxed performances. Find out more about access at The Old Vic on our website.
If you would like to discuss your access requirements or if you have any questions before applying, please contact ovcommunity@oldvictheatre.com
Term three applications are now closed. If you would like to be notified when applications reopen, please complete a Theatre Club expression of interest form
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an informal chat to help us get to know you better.
If you have any questions, please contact ovcommunity@oldvictheatre.com.