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Theatre Unlocked: Theatre Classes for Ages 5–18 in Boston
This September, Blackfriars Theatre Academy launches Theatre Unlocked, a new 10-week Saturday theatre programme for children and young people aged 5–18 in Boston, Lincolnshire.
Students will develop skills in acting, musical theatre, movement, stagecraft, rehearsal practice and technical theatre, all inside a real working theatre.
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What is Theatre Unlocked?
Theatre Unlocked is designed for both new and experienced performers. Across 10 weeks, students will develop their performance skills while discovering more about how theatre really works.
They’ll act, sing, move, create and rehearse while exploring stagecraft, character, blocking, cues, rehearsal practice, technical theatre and working as a company.
Learn the skills. Use them on stage. Discover how theatre really works.
Find your group
Ages 5–7
Saturdays, 9.30am–10.30am
£85 for the 10-week term
A playful introduction to theatre, building confidence through movement, voice, character, music and simple stagecraft.
STAGE STAR
Ages 12–14
Saturdays, 3.30pm - 5.15pm
£130 for the 10-week term
A more developed approach to performance, rehearsal and theatre practice, with opportunities to explore acting, movement, music, blocking, technical theatre and working as a company.
COMPANY
Ages 8–11
Saturdays, 1.30pm - 3.00pm
£120 for the 10-week term
A chance to build performance skills while developing a stronger understanding of stagecraft, rehearsal, character and how theatre is made.
SPOTLIGHT
Ages 15–18
Saturdays, 10.45am - 12.45pm
£150 for the 10-week term
A deeper introduction to professional theatre practice, combining performance, rehearsal technique, stagecraft, production processes and the expectations of working in a theatre environment.
STUDIO PRO
Meet the Theatre Unlocked Team
Theatre Unlocked - Lead Practioner
Penny Shipley
Penny is a vocal coach and experienced performing arts practitioner. She has taught music, drama and movement at several theatre schools and previously led a Shakespeare summer programme for international students aged 5–16. Her professional experience spans stage and screen, including assistant directing, screen acting, ADR and VoiceOver work for the BBC, alongside creative direction for live musical performances. Having grown up performing at Blackfriars, Penny is delighted to return as Lead Practitioner for Theatre Unlocked and help a new generation discover every aspect of theatre-making.
Theatre Unlocked - Practioner
Helen Graves
Helen is a qualified drama teacher and experienced theatre practitioner, with a background spanning education, stage management and performance. After training in Stage Management at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama, her professional experience includes touring and in-house theatre as a stage manager, alongside teaching Drama from KS2 to KS5 and directing school productions. Helen has also produced and stage-managed productions with local theatre companies and is currently performing with BOS Musical Theatre Group. Helen is thrilled to be returning to where her own love of theatre began and to be working alongside Penny to bring Theatre Unlocked to life.
Learn from people who make theatre
Theatre Unlocked will be delivered by experienced freelance theatre practitioners, bringing a range of skills, perspectives and professional experience into the programme.
Alongside our core practitioners, students will have opportunities across the term to learn from people with different areas of expertise, which might include acting, musical theatre, movement, directing, stagecraft, technical theatre, puppetry and other specialist skills.
What’s included
The term fee includes the full 10-week programme, Theatre Unlocked learning materials, an individual Skills Record, specialist practitioner input, end-of-term parent feedback and a Theatre Unlocked certificate.
Families will not be asked for additional class fees, donations or contributions during the programme.
The December finale is optional. Students do not need to perform in front of an audience to complete Theatre Unlocked or receive their certificate.
Want all the details?
Our Theatre Unlocked Parent Guide includes full information about the programme, age groups, fees, term structure, learning approach, Backstage Pass and the end-of-term finale.
Blackfriars Theatre is proud to be an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation.
This support helps us continue developing high quality creative opportunities for our community, including programmes like Theatre Unlocked, giving young people the chance to learn, create and experience theatre here in Boston.
