Kingston's Rose Theatre is now welcoming applications for its Summer Schools programme, with open-access courses for children and young people of all experience levels.

Anyone who meets the age requirements can take part, with no previous drama experience needed.

This summer, children and young people can take part in Create in Three Days for ages seven to 10 (Years 3 – 6) and Play in a Week for ages 11 – 18 (Years 7 – 13).

Both courses offer the chance to make new friends, build drama and performance skills, gain confidence and have fun. All staff on site hold DBS certification, and a first aider will always be present. No experience or audition is required.

Create in Three Days offers children fun drama-based activities, crafts, exercises and performance skills.

In small groups, participants will work with a Rose Youth Theatre director and assistant over three days to create a short piece of theatre to share with families on the final day.

There are three Create in Three Days courses, each running from Wednesday to Friday, 10am to 4pm, on the following dates:

• WEEK 1: Wednesday, 29 July - Friday, 31 July
• WEEK 2: Wednesday, 5 August - Friday 7 August
• WEEK 3: Wednesday, 12 August - Friday, 14 August

Play in a Week is an exciting, inclusive and intensive performance-based course for young people. Participants spend a week working with like-minded young actors and Rose Theatre's professional directors.

Groups are split by age, and each group works with its director to create a scripted production to share with families at the end of the week.

Participants in both courses will have the opportunity to meet new people, build drama and performance skills, gain confidence and have fun.

The courses run from 27 July 2026 to 29 August 2026, with five one-week sessions from Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 4.30pm. Courses are split by age group and offer a range of plays for participants to perform. Weekly dates and titles are listed below.

WEEK 1: Monday, 27 July - Saturday 1 August

Week 1's play will be Robin Hood adapted by Nicole Burley for ages 11 - 13.

WEEK 2: Monday, 3 August - Saturday, 8 August

Week 2's play will be Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson and adapted by Ciaran McConville for ages 11 - 16.

WEEK 3: Monday, 10 August - Saturday, 15 August

Week 3's play will be A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare for ages 11 - 16. WEEK 4: Monday, 17 August - Saturday, 22 August

Week 4's play will be Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving and adapted by Josh Mathieson for ages 14 - 18.

WEEK 5: Monday, 24 August - Saturday, 29 August

Week 5's play will be Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen and adapted by Ciara Morris for ages 11-13/14 - 18.

Speaking about the Create in Three Days programme back in 2024, one parent said: "My children loved the creativity of creating their own story and script."

And speaking about the Play in a Week programme in 2024, another parent added: "Excellent concept, excellent texts and very well delivered."

A third parent said of the whole Summer Schools programme last year: "Thanks for all the effort and hard work that goes into these courses.

"The sense of acceptance that everyone finds at the Rose for who they are as individuals means she returns to school with more self-confidence in who she is."

Bursaries are available on request to help cover the cost of courses for those who may struggle with the fees. While anyone is free to apply for the bursary fund to help support participation, priority will be given to those facing financial hardship.

Bursaries will be offered to fully or partially cover course fees. Mentoring and support are also offered alongside financial support.

For more information on the Rose's Summer Schools programme, email [email protected].

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