Theatre Centre (Lewes) Performing Arts for 2 - 14 yr olds

Theatre Centre – high quality performing arts for 2 – 14 years            

Intrepid is an award-winning, professional, theatre company for children & young people based in Lewes, East Sussex. We provide high quality performing & creative arts activities year round. We also practice as theatre professionals throughout the southeast on a range of funded theatre & creative learning projects. Intrepid was formed in 1998 and is a not-for-profit community interest company.

Our activities in Lewes are: Theatre Centre, Holiday Activities (drama & creative arts), Summer School, Birthday parties & Event workshops in schools.

About Theatre Centre – great benefits for children & parents               

• High quality professional tuition in drama, movement & song
• Professional writer creates an individual script for each class, each term
• Classes also have support from voluntary teaching assistants
• Each term has a different focus, complete with a lesson plan for each class and scheme & work for each term
• Intrepid Steps/Trinity Guildhall/Arts Award – progression & opportunities to gain accreditation on the national framework of qualifications
• Great value for money
• Discounts available

Class	Age group	KS	Skills	Progression	Presentation	Class Max Nos.	Length of class	Saturday class times
Beginners	2.5-4s	Foundation	Explore creativity & story through drama, music & movement	Intrepid Steps	Informal with parents/new members	10	45 minutes	9am – 9.45am
First Stage	4-7s	KS1 (Rec – Yr 2)	Drama, movement & song	Intrepid Steps/Trinity/Guildhall	Friends & family & open to public/new members	16	1 hour	9.45am – 10.45am
Centre Stage	7-11s	KS2 (Yrs 3-6)	Drama, movement & song	Intrepid Steps/Trinity/Guildhall	Friends & family & open to public/new members	16	1 hour 30 minutes	10.45am – 12.15pm
YPT	11-14s	KS3 (Yrs 7-9)	Performing arts & creativity skills	Arts Award /Trinity Guildhall	Peers, friends & family/new members	16	1 hour 15 minutes	12.15pm – 1.30pm

Theatre Centre – More about the classes & each term

Every class at Theatre Centre is structured with a lesson plan and each week builds on the previous week through a carefully planned scheme of work. Skills, team work, confidence and creativity are built on each week – regardless of the term’s focus - so children can join anytime of the year.

Intrepid is a story focused company and so all our creativity comes through our exploration of the story.

• Beginners (2.5 - 4s) offers a great introduction to creativity and where parents can stay but are encouraged to leave when the child is settled.
• First Stage (4 – 7s) offers children focused & fun creative journeys and opportunities to enjoy presenting to friends and family.
• Centre Stage (7-11s) a great class for kids who love working together, being creative & performing.
• YPT (11-14s) perfect for young people wishing to take performing arts to a new level & work with their own ideas.

Progression

Being creative is great but we also like to feel we are making progress and learning. We provide a structured guide to progression called, Intrepid Steps. We will give you information on this on joining the class. Each class has their own Intrepid Steps – specially written for their age group.

At First Stage & Centre Stage class we also offer opportunities, in the spring term, to take an accredited exam with Trinity Guildhall. The Intrepid Steps will have provided each student, ready to take the exam, to be best equipped to complete it successfully.

At YPT class, we also offer Trinity Guildhall during the spring term but also the opportunity to take an Arts Award.

Intrepid Theatre is a Welcome Centre for Arts Award.

Details for both organisations are here: www.trinitycollege.co.uk                www.artsaward.org.uk  

Alison West (Creative Director of Intrepid Theatre) – Training qualifications/writing experience

Alison is an Arts Award Moderator and has been trained to deliver Arts Award Bronze, Silver & Gold (11+) and also Creative & Explore (7+). Alison is also an accredited Performance Coach through Arts Council Cultural Leadership Programme and has First Class B.A Drama & post graduate degree in Directing.

Alison is a member of New Writing South and has over 10 years’ experience writing adaptations of stories both classic & contemporary, worked collaboratively as a writer on theatre & community arts projects and also created numerous published educational materials.

What we do each term    

Autumn term

Class	Age group	Focus	Progression	Presentation
Beginners	2.5 - 4s	Selected story creatively explored, with areas of creativity shared at the end of the term.	Intrepid Steps – individual written feedback for each child.	Informal with parents/new members.
First Stage	4-7s	Fully costumed presentation with props & scenery.	Intrepid Steps – group target, individual target & verbal feedback at end of term.	Ticketed event for friends & family & open to public/new members.
Centre Stage	7-11s	Fully costumed presentation with props & scenery.	Intrepid Steps – group target, individual target & verbal feedback at end of term.	Ticketed event for friends & family & open to public/new members.
YPT	11-14s	Devised piece created by the group.	Targets agreed with group.	Peers, friends & family/new members.

Spring term

Class	Age group	Focus	Progression	Presentation
Beginners	2.5-4s	Selected story creatively explored, with areas of creativity shared at the end of the term.	Intrepid Steps – individual written feedback for each child.	Informal with parents/new members.
First Stage	4-7s	Individual skills focus – children can work on agreed poems, sketches, songs & movement pieces. Performed in Intrepid T Shirt & blacks.	Intrepid Steps – group target, individual target & written feedback at end of term (includes Certificate of Achievement).	Presentation for friends & family & open to public/new members.
Centre Stage	7-11s	Individual skills focus – children can work on agreed poems, sketches, songs & movement pieces. Performed in Intrepid T Shirt & blacks.	Intrepid Steps – group target, individual target & written feedback at end of term (includes Certificate of Achievement). Children also work towards a Trinity Guildhall accreditation.	Presentation for friends & family & open to public/new members.
YPT	11-14s	Individual skills focus.	Agreed individual targets and opportunity to work on Trinity Guildhall accreditation.	Peers, friends & family/new members.

Summer term                                

Class	Age group	Focus	Progression	Presentation
Beginners	2.5 -4s	Selected story creatively explored, with areas of creativity shared at the end of the term.	Intrepid Steps – individual written feedback for each child. End of year review.	Informal with parents/new members.
First Stage	4-7s	Partly costumed presentation (with comedy focus) with some props & scenery.	Intrepid Steps – group target, individual target & verbal feedback at end of term. End of year review.	Outdoor event for friends & family & open to public/new members – with invitation to picnic.
Centre Stage	7-11s	Partly costumed presentation (with comedy focus) with some props & scenery.	Intrepid Steps – group target, individual target & verbal feedback at end of term. End of year review.	Outdoor event for friends & family & open to public/new members – with invitation to picnic.
YPT	11-14s	Devised piece or adaptation of play (with comedy focus) – costumed and led by the young people with teacher support.	Targets agreed with group.	Group to decide an outdoor or festival event.

For more details please contact Intrepid directly on 01273 476 226 or email office@intrepidinspires.co.uk 

All the fun of the Fayre

Intrepid at Lewes' May Fayre
The weather came good just at the last and provided a warm and dry Saturday for this wonderful Fayre on the 12th May. Intrepid were there to provide creative storytelling and craft making activities for children. 


We chose the medieval story of Robin Hood and came equipped with costumes and props all under a gazebo. Alongside the drama we created a falcon puppet as our craft make. They proved to be very popular and sold out. Finally, we set-up a fake gory wound stall and we had a queue of children all afternoon; all eager to have a life like wound.


Here's a couple of photos of the afternoon but most can be viewed on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Intrepid-Theatre/192306717481524

Intrepid's provided activities at lots of summer outdoor events and venues, including http://www.bentley.org.uk/ and http://www.wildernesswood.co.uk/


You may see us elsewhere this summer, so keep checking our Facebook page for info or follow us on  https://twitter.com/ @IntrepidCIC

Intrepid - An award-winning community company

Intrepid - An award-winning community company 
So, hands up who knows why Intrepid is an award-winning company? The answer just sums up what Intrepid is all about: the arts, education, community and fair trade.


In 2005 Intrepid worked with Gossypium, the Lewes based Eco-cotton store on School Hill. We created a two part project. The first involved Intrepid working with 20 local primary schools on a series of educational workshops exploring what fair trade meant to them. 


The project was funded by Arts & Business http://www.artsandbusiness.org.uk/ with a contribution, in kind from Gossypium, which formed the second part to the project; providing costume making skills and materials for a delightful adaptation, by Alison West, of the beautiful, The Selfish Giant by Oscar Wilde. The performances took place at the All Saint Centre, Lewes and involved local artists and technicians plus a cast of over 50 children supported by a choir of students from Sussex Downs College.


The resulting accolade, The Arts & Business New Partners Award, presented at Hampton Court Palace, was a proud moment indeed.


Did you know Intrepid is unique in East Sussex? Unique, why? We are the only professional theatre company for children and young people that offer: 

• high quality arts activities and opportunities for children and young people
• a successful track record for collaborating with local authorities and arts organisations on  arts based community projects
• a company that works with respected and talented theatre practitioners to produce high quality new work for young audiences

We are proud to be partners with BHASVIC, Central School of Speech & Drama (London), University of Brighton and many local East Sussex schools and venues.


Having our award-winning status and our position in the community is something that is very important to Intrepid. 


We firmly believe in:

• artistic integrity
• aiming for higher artistic standards
• our activities having real educational benefits
• working with our community
• working with local businesses

Intrepid have been the proud recipients of all the major supporters of the arts, including: Arts Council England, The Baring Foundation, The Paul Hamlyn Foundation, The Prince's Trust and many local authorities across the southeast of England.


We have also worked, in partnership, with many local businesses - always seeking to provide new ways to support each other - something that is increasingly important in these times.  


In our home town, Intrepid are proud to be members of Lewes Chamber of Commerce and Lewes FC Spend & Save Scheme.

As we head towards our Olympic summer - Intrepid will be in the starting blocks too - we've been doing some training ourselves - preparing for a new phase in the company's history. Watch this space for news this summer!


Get in touch with us at @office@intrepidinspires.co.uk if you'd like to collaborate with us.

NEW! Pre-school activities for 3 & 4yr olds

New workshops for pre-school 3 & 4yr olds 

We get asked all the time about workshops for pre-school children and we thought it was about time we offered some.

Intrepid have created lots of workshops in pre-school settings across East Sussex, over many years. We've loved introducing children to drama and theatre through our unique style. Don't take our word for it, let's ask someone in the know,

The children at Kingston Pre-school thoroughly enjoyed your workshop which was based on The Smartest Giant in Town. It was appropriate to their level, fun and made them approach stories in a new and creative way. By using props, visual aids and by encouraging them to join in or act out parts of the story themselves you made the whole experience an inclusive one.............which they talked about for weeks afterwards!  I would recommend you to any other Early Years setting, thank you. Claire, Manager

We are bursting with ideas for the future but first things first - an introductory workshop. We think your child will love them but there's only one way to find out. So go on give us a try. Here's the details,

NEW! Pre school 3 & 4yr olds workshops

Weds 6th & Thurs 7th June 2012 Southover Church Hall, Lewes

9.30am – 10.30am & 2.15pm – 3.15pm

First child £5, siblings £4

Intrepid are part of the Lewes FC Spend & Save Scheme and if you are a member you can save 5% on all our holiday activities.

To book email office@intrepidinspires.co.uk or txt/call Allie on 07934 362 312

Summer School 2012

An Intrepid Summer School


For those children who've experienced one, they'll tell you how much fun it is, how creative it is and how excited they get each morning just thinking about coming along. Don't take our word for it here's a young one to tell you,


 "It's brilliant because you make lots of cool stuff, do fun games and get to do a show at the end of the week. The teachers are very friendly and have lots of great ideas. We do something different every day." 


And how about the parents - I'm sure they want to feel confident Intrepid is not just a fun place, but also a safe place and a creative place for their child to be... well, creative all week long. Here's a parent who'd like to tell you just that,


"Intrepid Summer School is one of Alfie's favourite things about the summer holidays. It offers a wonderful mix of craft, games and drama in a fun and supportive environment. You only have to watch the end of week performance to see how enthustiastic the children are: They're always very proud of their achievements!"

Intrepid's Summer School has been running for nearly 10 years now. We think it is far and away the best Summer School for children aged 5years through to 12 years. We take our time planning the week, planning each and every day - we get to know all the children individually and we work with their personalities, skills and interests. 


Each Summer School is different and it suits all kinds of kids - yes, we are a professional theatre company (the only one in the whole area) and, yes, we do have an urge to be theatrical but we also know that there all types of kid out there and not all like performance. So, we design our Summer School and in fact all our holiday activities for kids that enjoy being creative.


Last year was fun - we planned two different Peter Pan themed weeks. Here's a few photos of the week (you can also find them on our Facebook page - along with all our holiday activity snaps),

So, what about this year? We are planning three weeks of fun (dates below) and our theme is  Into the Woods with the classic stories of Pocahontas and Snow White & The Seven Dwarfs. 


We'll be making a fab woodland proscenium arch, set and props plus dressing up and hopefully making a little film.


Intrepid team up with Bags of Books, Lewes
When you book this year, we have something extra special for the children. We have partnered up with the independent specialist children's bookshop, Bags of Books http://www.bags-of-books.co.uk/  to bring you a fab competition with two great prizes of £10off voucher for books at the shop and £10off a holiday activity with Intrepid - plus winners will have their work displayed in the shop for the week. We'll have lots of other goodies on offer for all our entrants.


Summer School 2012
drama, movement, song, digital film & creative arts for 5 -12 year olds

Calling all creative kids! Our ever popular Summer School returns. There’s something for all ages and interests and three fab weeks to choose from – each one different!

Mon 23rd – Fri 27th July 2012

Mon 13th – Fri 17th August 2012

Mon 20th – Fri 24th August 2012

Southover Church Hall, Lewes

9.15am – 3.15pm daily

Extended day 8.30am to 4pm £5 per day

£129 First Child (siblings & cousins) £119

Intrepid are part of the Lewes FC Spend & Save Scheme and if you are a member you can save 5% on all our holiday activities (does not include Early Bird Offer)

Want to do more than one?For two weeks: First child £235 (siblings & cousins £215)

Deposits and payment methodsA £30 deposit per child secures your place/s. Thereafter, you can pay in smaller amounts – just tell us when and how much (balance to be paid by first day of your chosen Summer School). Or you can pay the the amount in full.

Contact us to book today office@intrepidinspires.co.uk

New Theatre Centre posters

A new image
It's always good to have a clean & brush up every now and again. We decided our image could do with just that and so we went to @davidproworx naturally. David produces the great match day posters for @Lewes_cfc and we liked them so much, we called him.


David has taken our current image and given it a fresh look. We love the outcome and we hope you do too. Of course posters need pictures and so we brought in the best (not just our opinion) and called James McCauley @mccauleyphotos. We set up a studio shoot for lots of Intrepid kids and they had a great time, whilst James clicked away and captured some great shots.


Intrepid as you know are a leading professional theatre company, based in Lewes, East Sussex. We are also a community interest company and so any profit we make goes back into the company. We are committed to serving our community and this includes building relationships with other local businesses and organisations that are also committed to their community. 


Here's the first offerings,

Summer term 2012 at Theatre Centre

We are getting ready, nearly set for go! - on our summer term at Theatre Centre. Yes, Olympic madness is almost upon us. Therefore, we will be staging two fun outdoor presentations that offer a different perspective.


The First Stage (4-7s) will be working on Three Little Pigs and the Centre Stage (8-11s) The Golden Goose.


Family, friends and locals are warmly invited to share our plays bringing along a picnic, whilst watching our young performers.


It's been a few years since we've staged an outdoor performance and we aim to make it a regular feature for summer term. Last term's skills work was a great success and kicking the year off, in the autumn, could not have been better with A Christmas Carol. So, all in all it's been a rewarding year for Theatre Centre.  Anyway, back to the summer term.


It is always exciting staging a play - there's costumes, props and set - but outdoors only natural light and no recorded soundtrack - just the acoustic vocals and possible instruments to support and accompany young voices.


It makes the whole experience dynamic - as children will be focusing the whole term on team work, vocal work and telling the story physically. Yes, even kids as young as 4yrs can do this with the experienced and expert hands of an Intrepid teacher. Children can amaze - and often do. 


We love building sets for children to work with. Summer Term last year saw the younger group get to grips with not only the story but also a theatre set when they performed, The Smartest Giant in Town. The teacher in role, as the giant, guided the young performers but it was the kids themselves that created the theatre space working with a set and telling their story.


Here's some great pics of the First Stage groups in action,

We have a few surprises in store for audiences for this term's set and we'll be busy working on for these from late April. Now who can imagine what the 3 pigs' houses may look like? And what about the goose? Will the teacher be a wolf? And, how are we going to move our costumes and props about? 


Wish for good weather come early July but add an extra wish for our young ones as they tread the grassy boards this summer.