Workshops
“Dynamic, fun and impressive”
Trestle offers an inspiring and exciting programme of drama workshops in physical and mask theatre delivered by Trestle trained professional practitioners. Each workshop is planned and developed with the participants in mind but we can also use our skills to tackle bespoke themes. From two hour theatre workshops to week long residencies we offer the following participatory workshops delivered either at your venue or at Trestle Arts Base, for groups of all needs inclusive of non-school groups and participants with special educational needs.
Trestle is an Artsmark Partner delivering all of our workshops and participatory projects in line with the quality principles.
For all our workshops the suggested running time is 2 hours but this can be flexible to suit your needs. We recommend a maximum of 24 people per workshop but can accommodate more on request (please note this may incur an extra cost to be confirmed on booking).
Mask
Trestle’s popular mask workshops have introduced thousands of students and performers throughout the world to the exciting versatility of mask. Explore how mask training can unlock the door to a more focused physicality in all performance. Our mask workshops are split into two skills levels.
BASIC: This workshop provides an in-depth introduction to Trestle’s mask technique. Participants will understand the principles of effective mask performance through physicality and core techniques.
INTERMEDIATE: This workshop builds upon the skills learnt in a Basic Workshop. Participants will develop physical skills and mask practice leading to short devised mask scenes.
Suitable for ages 11+
Mini Masks
This workshop will be an introduction to working with our mini mask characters. Every workshop will stimulate creativity whilst focussing on communication, social skills and physicality and can also approach one of the following themes bespoke to the needs of the young people participating.
Oracy and vocabulary
Character and storytelling
Emotional literacy and Wellbeing
Suitable for ages 5 - 11
Half Mask
Trestle’s half mask set brings the additional element of speech to Trestle’s mask training and we have chosen eight varied half masks to become a playful set of characters.
The half mask workshop prepares participants physically and vocally to improvise and devise in half mask using the archetypal characters and can be adapted to cover commedia d’el arte, Shakespeare, Greek chorus, Jungian archetypes and character work.
Suitable for ages 11+
Mask For Performance
This workshop is a longer-term commitment working towards a mask performance. It can be provided for all age groups for anything from 4 sessions to 12 and can be delivered as weekly workshops across a term or a week-long performance residency.
The final performance will last between 20 minutes to an hour and will be created from a blueprint based on our mini mask characters for ages 4-11 and our intermediate masks for ages 11 + but discovered and interpreted by each individual group taking part.
For more information email takingpart@trestle.org.uk
Physical Theatre
Discover different routes into physical theatre by exploring the techniques Trestle uses in devising its touring shows. Participants will gain practical tools and innovative ideas to create and devise dynamic visual storytelling theatre. Our physical theatre workshops are also split into two levels
BASIC: In this introductory workshop participants will develop an awareness of physicality and space through accessible and engaging exercises.
INTERMEDIATE: Building upon the skills learnt in the basic workshop participants will focus on ways of creating physical and visual theatre for performance, as well as establishing a more focused and disciplined approach.
Can be tailored for ages 5 - Adult
Residencies and Arts Weeks
‘…the three day workshop was a hugely beneficial and transformative experience’ - Mask Residency, NYCI, Youth Arts Summer School 2012
Trestle offers a range of workshop residencies in Mask and Physical Theatre which can be tailored to suit your requirements.
We have delivered residencies for Youth Arts Leaders in Ireland, students at an International School in Switzerland as well as week long residencies in half mask at Sandringham School and Exploring Space at Aboyne Lodge School in St Albans.
You can book our workshops for a day, a week or as long as you need! They are popular for Arts Weeks and enrichment as well as supporting the drama curriculum. We can also offer Arts Award provision as part of our longer term projects for Discover, Explore, Bronze and Silver.
Can be tailored for ages 5 - Adult
COSTS:
2 HOUR WORKSHOP: £250*
4 HOUR WORKSHOP: £450*
6 HOUR WORKSHOP: £550*
RESIDENCIES: £400* per 4 hour day / £500* per 6 hour day when 2 or more days are booked.
BESPOKE: Extra £20* per day
These hours can be split across a day e.g 2 x 2 hour workshops would be costed at 4 hours. Please note that there are discounts for booking multiple hours!
* These costings are exclusive of travel (exact costs will be confirmed at the time of booking). Bespoke and international workshop costs may differ due to travel /accommodation costs and extra planning time.
Please complete the Workshops booking form and email to takingpart@trestle.org.uk. To buy Mask sets and resource packs to accompany these workshops please visit our MASK SHOP