This is the heart of Doorstep’s work. Our 14 regular participatory drama groups across Torbay nurture high-quality theatre-making by children and young people (ages 4-25) in educational and supportive spaces. In order to ensure that children from a wide range of backgrounds can all take part, we currently run two different kinds of groups: Drop-In sessions and Studio Courses.
Drop-In Sessions
These sessions run term-time only, and no pre-booking or termly commitment is required. Participants pay £3 when they arrive, and stay for an hour’s session, where they play drama games, write their own stories, develop their own choreography, and develop performance skills while making friends. Our drop-in groups always have an end-of-term sharing, but these are often informal, a work-in-progress insight into the DiE (drama in education) process, rather than a polished final piece. Drop-in groups are a great way for children and young people to try out a drama class, providing a safe and supportive environment with skilled facilitators. Our Drop-in sessions are run by Doorstep Co-Director Jade Campbell. Drop in sessions are open to children and young people from 0 to 25, and they presently run at St Mary Magdalene Church Hall and Torre Abbey.
Doorstep Studio Courses (DAS)
Studio courses run over 10 weeks and they take place at the Palace Theatre in Paignton, where Doorstep Arts is the creative learning company in residence. We provide termly DAS courses for children from 4 up to 20. These sessions teach theatre performance skills, and each term ends with a final sharing which includes song/dance/choregraphy and script work. DAS courses are run by Doorstep Lead Artist Polly Ferguson, a musical theatre specialist.