What We Do
We use the skills of volunteer arts professionals and the power of live theatre to mentor children in Somers Town, London.
Our core programme consists of five playwriting courses for our Member Playwrights, each building on the last. We give children intensive, one-to-one adult attention, enabling them to write plays which are then performed by professional actors. The UK’s finest theatre professionals dedicate their time and talents to bring the words and imaginations of children to our stage.
Our projects develop children’s self-esteem, literacy and communication skills, raising aspirations and having a profound long-term positive impact in the community that we serve.
Playwriting Courses
Playmaking One:
Referred to this first course by their primary schools in Somers Town, each new Playwright attends weekly playwriting classes to create their own short two-character piece for professional actors to perform.
Learn more about the Playmaking One process through our documentary film
Replay:
Children return a year or so later for a more sophisticated playwriting course where each Member Playwright writes a three-character play, performed by professional actors.
Stage One:
A third opportunity to work with Scene & Heard, Stage One is a weekend workshop of creating characters and a short piece for a Member Playwright to perform alongside a professional actor in a rehearsed reading.
Stage Two:
An extended drama course that develops playwriting and performance skills as well as offering opportunities to explore elements of production including costume and props.
Writeback:
An advanced writing course for older Member Playwrights, including a film element. Our fifth course introduces young people to one of the many cultural institutions on their doorstep. The Playwrights create characters inspired by their surroundings and collaborate with each other to write a single relay play.
Our Productions
Our courses lead to professional theatre productions where the words and imaginations of children are brought to life on stage by professional actors.
We mount three to four professional theatre productions annually at Theatro Technis. Find out about our next show.
We pride ourselves on high production values and the expertise of our production teams. We have our own unique house style that provides a unifying element to the many worlds the children create.
Costumes
Our individually produced costumes are ambitious and elaborate, incorporating wit, charm and some serious expertise. Our skilled costume design and creation team readily depict anything the children can imagine.
Regular designers are Julia Bunce, Lizzie Bardwell, Helen Coyston, Eve Oakley and Leigh Hayward.
Prop Design
Our two-dimensional, individually hand drawn props are meticulously created by a team of dedicated volunteers.
Composers
We are indebted to our volunteer composers who create the music to accompany lyrics written by the child playwrights.
We produced a CD of original songs from show to celebrate Scene & Heard’s 15th anniversary, listen here.
We are always keen to hear from experienced sound and lighting technicians, stage managers, designers and composers who are interested in joining our production team.
Contact mail@sceneandheard.org or call 020 7388 9008.
Our courses improve confidence and develop skills in literacy and communication. Our performances give children immediate and public experiences of success, raising aspirations and boosting self-esteem. Find out more about our impact here.
Theatre Trips
We take our Member Playwrights on free trips to the theatre to see some of the greatest shows London’s West End has to offer. These trips allow us to continue mentoring our young people and to expand their cultural literacy.
Work Experience for older Member Playwrights
We regularly host older Member Playwrights aged 15+ undertaking Work Experience and professional work placements. As we are both a children’s charity and a professional theatre company, there are many types of Work Experience Opportunities at Scene & Heard including;
Costumes, props lighting and sound
Front of house, Box Office and Merchandise
Supporting young writers in classes or at playwriting weekends
Supporting the Scene & Heard team in the office
Young Ambassadors
Older Member Playwrights aged 18+ can become a Scene & Heard Young Ambassador
Often following on from our Work Experience programme, roles and activities of Scene & Heard Young Ambassadors include participating in courses, supporting productions and events and office support. There’s also the opportunity to contribute to planning for the organisation. This can lead to more formal internship with the charity.
If you’re a Member Playwright and would like to learn more, contact us.
In the Community
Creative Arts Week
We offer a free Summer School for local children. A week-long project of workshops in drama, music, movement and art, culminating in a showcase of work, shared with family and friends.
Drama Drop-In
We offer a free after school drama club on Wednesdays in the summer term. Local children join us to explore drama skills through a mixture of games and activities.