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Theatreworks

Theatreworks is the National Theatre’s year-round training programme for professionals.

Delivered by qualified and experienced directors and actors, you will learn techniques to improve your communication, voice, body language and personal impact. 

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What is Theatreworks?

A facilitator standing in front and behind individuals during a workshop

The National Theatre uses its tried and tested ‘rehearsal room’ approach to make Theatreworks training experiential, practical and effective. Our hands-on workshops are led by leading theatre practitioners who will share tips and techniques to improve your presence, confidence and impact.

Theatreworks courses provide a safe place for participants of any level to experiment with their individual communication style. Our training can take place in-person either at the National Theatre or your own venue. We also offer training online over video conferencing platforms such as Zoom.

Our Theatreworks programme offers open or bespoke workshops, short courses and conference training, and personal coaching.

Open courses

Our open courses explore themes of Personal Impact and Influence and Rapport. Places are available to individuals from any sector and best suited to those at middle-management level and above.

Cost: £440 per delegate or you can book a two-day package with both courses for £792. We offer discounted places to charities, the NHS and government employees. Please fill in this form if you wish to be invoiced or to register for a discounted place.

See what’s available to book below: 
A woman standing up and smiling

Personal Impact

When: 31 Jan 2024
Where: National Theatre, Upper Ground, London SE1 9PX
Cost: £440
Book now for Personal Impact,
31 Jan 24

Influence & Rapport

When: 1 Feb 2024
Where: National Theatre, Upper Ground, London SE1 9PX
Cost: £440
Book now for Influence & Rapport,
1 Feb 24

Personal Impact

When: 13 Mar 2024
Where: National Theatre, Upper Ground, London SE1 9PX
Cost: £440
Book now for Personal Impact,
13 Mar 24

Influence & Rapport

When: 14 Mar 2024
Where: National Theatre, Upper Ground, London SE1 9PX
Cost: £440
Book now for Influence & Rapport,
14 Mar 24

Personal Impact

When: 12 June 2024
Where: National Theatre, Upper Ground, London SE1 9PX
Cost: £440
Book now for Personal Impact,
12 Jun 24

Influence & Rapport

When: 13 Jun 2024
Where: National Theatre, Upper Ground, London SE1 9PX
Cost: £440
Book now for Influence & Rapport,
13 Jun 24

The Personal Impact open course aims to give participants:

  • An insight into what makes people interesting speakers
  • Improved use of voice and breathing
  • Active listening skills and techniques for concentration and relaxation
  • An understanding of physical presence and body language
  • Increased confidence in communicating to an audience
  • The ability to harness their own personality, presence and purpose to affect a group

 

The Influence and Rapport open course aims to give participants:

  • Increased confidence and assertiveness in meetings
  • An understanding of the effect of status
  • Tools for influencing and persuading colleagues and clients
  • Tools for influencing upwards
  • The confidence to improvise and deal with the unexpected in meetings
  • New ways of pitching ideas

 

Bespoke programme

A group of people sitting on chairs in a circle

Courses

We work with your business to design bespoke training sessions to meet your needs for groups of any size. These can range from one-hour masterclass sessions to full-day experiences, at the National Theatre, online or your own venue. We often work with clients as part of their on-boarding or leadership programmes, delivering a number of full day courses each year for new hires, newly-promoted managers or directors, or to sharpen the skills of the leadership team. To book a bespoke course, get in touch.

A group of people sat in a circle with a facilitator demonstrating to them

Short courses and conferences

We offer short sessions as a one-off or as a series of lunchtime masterclasses on methods of communication, understanding status and improving your voice – amongst others. These are ideal for larger scale conferences or as an energiser session to reinvigorate your delegates. We can also work with your conference speakers to help them deliver memorable and engaging presentations. To book a short course, get in touch.

A person projecting loudly with their arms in the air

Personal coaching

Our trainers work closely with individuals on a one-to-one basis to address their specific concerns and provide workable solutions in a stress-free environment. If a number of your staff members require one-to-one coaching, our clinics may be the right choice for your team. To book a personal coaching course, get in touch.

What can you expect from Theatreworks bespoke programmes? 

  • We speak to you and find out what you want to get out of the training
  • Full, half-day, 1:1 coaching sessions or bespoke workshops are available
  • For bespoke workshops, we get to know you and your organisation and tailor the training to suit your needs
  • All our training is practical, with everyone engaged and having a go
  • You’ll learn techniques that you can practise immediately
  • You’ll receive feedback and coaching from our Theatreworks trainers throughout the session, with individual feedback emailed after full day sessions
  • You’ll be encouraged to take risks, try things out and have fun!

And what skills can you develop?

  • Increased confidence in communicating to an audience
  • Increased self-awareness and skills to influence and affect others
  • Insights into how to engage your audience
  • An understanding of physical presence and body language
  • Improved use of voice and breathing
  • Techniques for concentration, relaxation and controlling nerves
  • Increased flexibility of style, and the confidence to move out of your comfort zone
  • Team building and managing relationships

What clients say:

The team really enjoyed working in a creative space with creative people from a different industry. They found the onstage approach offered a unique perspective and the training really pushed them outside of their comfort zones while also providing a safe, motivational space for them to put the new skills they were learning into practice.
– Nicola
Learning & Development Manager at Penguin Random House

Brilliant way to understand and improve your communication style. Broadens your mind, explores your body, builds your confidence.
– Kat
Circle Health

One of the most scary and most rewarding courses.
– Chaka
Stonewall

Contact us

Sheila Chawla
Theatreworks Programme Manager

Cara Vaitilingam
Programme Coordinator

We work with an incredible group of facilitators, drawn from the worlds of acting, directing, storytelling, coaching and consultancy. Meet our facilitators.

You can contact the Theatreworks team on theatreworks@nationaltheatre.org.uk

Photographs by Cameron Slater, Ellie Kurttz and Emma Hare
Theatreworks 21/22

Further reading

Budgeting for 'soft skills'

Discover why ‘soft skills’ are so important in business, and how programmes like Theatreworks can help develop them for you and your time.

Budgeting for 'soft skills'

My impression of Theatreworks

Listen to one of our clients and their first impression of the Theatreworks programme – and how it grew their confidence.

My impression of Theatreworks
A person standing and smiling, wearing a dark cardigan

How the arts can benefit business

Find out how Theatreworks connects the business sector with the arts.

How the arts can benefit business

Calming nerves and building confidence: Theatreworks and Apprenticeships

Read about how the Theatreworks programme supports our apprenticeship programme, helping people into sustainable careers in theatre.

Calming nerves and building confidence: Theatreworks and Apprenticeships