Open Rehearsal and Theatre Making Workshop for College Students
The Victorian Court Room, The Old Courts, Wigan, WN1 1NA
Wednesday 15th April 2026
Open rehearsal of a new play by Wigan-born writer Laura Atherton. Followed by a workshop that guides you through writing and performing your own nature-inspired monologue.
The open rehearsal will allow students to see how a professional company operates and ask the creative team questions about the industry, the creative process, training and general career advice.
In mid April, Rootstock Theatre are running a week of research and development of a new play ‘Spring’ by Wigan-born writer, Laura Atherton, at the Old Courts. ‘Spring’ is a play that joins the turbulence of trying to conceive with climate anxiety to ask what happens when the future we assumed was ours is taken away?
Research and development, also known as R&D, is a term used in theatre for a period of time to play with and explore a new idea or show. Laura wrote ‘Spring’ and then applied for Arts Council England funding to develop it with other creatives in order to make it the best play it can be. In this instance, the R&D is one week in a rehearsal room with a director, movement director, sound designer, a stage manager, two actors and Laura as the writer, watching her words and ideas transform through being staged.
As part of this R&D week, local college students are invited to attend an open rehearsal, Q&A event and theatre making workshop on Wednesday 15th April from 4.30pm in the Victorian Courtroom at the Old Courts.
After the open rehearsal and Q&A, Laura will lead the writing and performing workshop. Using techniques Laura used to develop 'Spring', participants will script original monologues inspired by nature before staging and having the opportunity to perform them back to the group.
In the workshop we will explore:
This event is open to college aged young people who are interested in creating theatre, and may be of particular interest to those studying drama as it will explore devising skills. It is free for everyone to attend, thanks to support from The Old Courts and Arts Council England. Please bring writing materials along with you.
Booking is essential for this event and for those under 18, a parent/guardian will be required to sign up to the workshop on your behalf.
If you have any questions or access needs you'd like to inform us of please email [email protected].
The open rehearsal will allow students to see how a professional company operates and ask the creative team questions about the industry, the creative process, training and general career advice.
In mid April, Rootstock Theatre are running a week of research and development of a new play ‘Spring’ by Wigan-born writer, Laura Atherton, at the Old Courts. ‘Spring’ is a play that joins the turbulence of trying to conceive with climate anxiety to ask what happens when the future we assumed was ours is taken away?
Research and development, also known as R&D, is a term used in theatre for a period of time to play with and explore a new idea or show. Laura wrote ‘Spring’ and then applied for Arts Council England funding to develop it with other creatives in order to make it the best play it can be. In this instance, the R&D is one week in a rehearsal room with a director, movement director, sound designer, a stage manager, two actors and Laura as the writer, watching her words and ideas transform through being staged.
As part of this R&D week, local college students are invited to attend an open rehearsal, Q&A event and theatre making workshop on Wednesday 15th April from 4.30pm in the Victorian Courtroom at the Old Courts.
After the open rehearsal and Q&A, Laura will lead the writing and performing workshop. Using techniques Laura used to develop 'Spring', participants will script original monologues inspired by nature before staging and having the opportunity to perform them back to the group.
In the workshop we will explore:
- Generating original material,
- Creating characters and plot inspired by nature,
- Playing with abstract and poetic language,
- Performance skills to help devise and stage the monologue.
This event is open to college aged young people who are interested in creating theatre, and may be of particular interest to those studying drama as it will explore devising skills. It is free for everyone to attend, thanks to support from The Old Courts and Arts Council England. Please bring writing materials along with you.
Booking is essential for this event and for those under 18, a parent/guardian will be required to sign up to the workshop on your behalf.
If you have any questions or access needs you'd like to inform us of please email [email protected].
