Birmingham Hippodrome’s Young Community Drop-In Sessions have been developed by our Young Advocates.
Suitable for anyone aged 14+, these sessions have been designed to be creative outlets for young people and offer spaces to relax, connect with others and feel welcome.
Each drop-in session invites some of the best people currently working in the creative industries to host workshops looking at a range of art forms, skills and careers.
Acting Through Song Workshop with Dougie Carter from 1pm
How do you portray a character whilst singing? What does the music tell us about a character’s journey? How can we bring the lyrics off the page? In this workshop, you will have the opportunity to learn acting through song skills through a group song. Depending on capacity, there may also be an opportunity to workshop solo pieces too, with no pressure to do so if you don’t want to!
Please note, no previous experience is required to take part- you can just come and give it a go! If you bring a solo piece please note that we don’t have an accompanist (you may wish to have a backing track on your phone). Please also note we cannot guarantee there will be time to hear everyone – BUT you can learn a lot from observing others too.
Dougie trained at Mountview Academy of Theatre Arts and has enjoyed an extensive career in musical theatre. He is currently playing Raoul in Phantom of the Opera Middle Eastern and European Tour and previously appeared at Birmingham Hippodrome in Sunset Boulevard.
Musical Theatre Dance with Matthew from CBS Dance from 2.30pm
Matthew’s workshop will be an introduction to musical theatre dance suitable for ALL levels of experience. London based CBS Dance offer unique training for actors and singers, with a mission of helping build confidence. This is the second time they’ve provided a workshop for us at Birmingham Hippodrome!
Matthew Rowland graduated in 2012 from Arts Educational Schools, London. Shortly after graduating Matthew made his professional debut performing the starring role of Boy George in the 10th Anniversary revival of the Musical Taboo at the Brixton Club House.
Matthew has many performance credits including being in the West End casts of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat at London Palladium, CATS the Musical and Waitress. Recently Matthew has toured the UK in School of Rock, performed here in Birmingham in Nativity! At Birmingham Rep and played Mr Wormwood in the 23-24 internation tour of the RSC’s Matilda the Musical.
Behind the scenes with Hamilton – Q&A from 3.30pm
As Birmingham Hippodrome becomes ‘the room where it happens!’ this summer, we are SO pleased to welcome some of the backstage team from Hamilton to this young community drop in!
This will be a unique opportunity to speak to some of the team about the ‘behind the scenes’ roles in Musical Theatre.
Attending the Q&A will be:
Ross Hamilton – Deputy Head of Stage
Kay Hudson – Deputy Company Manager
Adam Lawrenson – Hamilton UK Tour Physiotherapist
Luke Mosley – Wardrobe Assistant
Lauren Watson – Sound No 4
Casting for Theatre Workshop and Q&A with Chloe Blake from 4.30pm
This workshop will be all about how to prepare for an audition, with Chloe sharing her tips and tricks, before moving into a Q&A session where you can learn everything you want to know about how casting works in the theatre!
Chloe Blake is a freelance Casting Director and Senior Casting Assistant at the National Theatre. Chloe trained as an actor at Royal Birmingham Conservatoire (previously Birmingham School of Acting). After graduating, Chloe worked extensively in various roles in the industry, including as an agent’s assistant, before beginning her career in casting. She is currently Casting Director for the Unicorn Theatre, London.
For the National Theatre: as casting director, Nye (also Wales Millennium Centre), Jekyll and Hyde (schools tour), Barrier(s) and Hamlet for Young Audiences (schools tour); and as casting associate, for The Effect and Blues for an Alabama Sky, young performer casting for Standing at the Sky’s Edge, Till the Stars Come Down and Small Island and additional casting for Kerry Jackson.
Other productions: The Wolf, the Duck and the Mouse, The Odyssey and The Three Billy Goats Gruff for the Unicorn; and Warehouse, Satisfaction and Pull the Door as a freelance casting director.
There is also mindful crafting from 2-4pm.
There will be snacks available throughout the day and pizza at around 6pm before the end of the event.
If you have any questions or access requirements please contact us below.