a masterclass in immersive
MASTERCLASS: A GUIDE TO CREATING IMMERSIVE THEATRE
COLAB Theatre Productions presents a 5 week Masterclass program led by Artistic Director and Theatre Creator Bertie Watkins, and supported by Immersive Theatre Creator and Actor Tom Black (Jury Games, Parabolic Theatre, ExitProductions, COLAB Theatre Productions, and more). Featuring Special Guest Casey Jay Andrews (Currently Assistant Head of Design at Punchdrunk International. Artistic Director or Lion House Theatre, Fringe First Winner. Other design works include: The Immersive Gatsby, One Night Records). Curated by Charlotte Potter.
This masterclass series, beginning on 11th February 2021, will introduce you to a range of immersive theatre creation strategies, tried and tested by COLAB Theatre Productions since 2012, whilst also giving you the opportunity to test out our tactics. This Masterclass series aims to guide you through from setting up your own company to putting on your first show. You will create your own storyboard, design games, and test them on your fellow attendees, whilst also getting to meet and interact with fellow immersive theatre creators. By the end of the masterclass series, you will be walking away with a set of skills to help you begin forming, creating, designing your own immersive theatre productions and company. This includes, and is not limited to, acting for immersive, venue sourcing, and advice on your specific project from Bertie or Tom.
Experience in creating immersive theatre, acting in immersive theatre, or game design is not necessary. Anyone who wishes to learn is welcome.
Each masterclass will be split into two halves. The first half will be dedicated to informing the participants of the core elements of whichever class they are participating in, whether this be a lecture on immersive theatre as a theory, or a step-by-step guide into designing games for an immersive show. The second half of the masterclass will be a Q&A session or workshop, where you will get to be both the creator and the participant.
COLAB Theatre Productions is here to guide you through and provide you with the skills to create incredible immersive and interactive experiences.
What else can I expect?
Practical exercises: simple and practical exercises that will help you get started.
Resources: A mixture of our own resources for creating immersive experiences, (i.e. templates for storyboarding, example games and puzzles, and powerpoints), plus a range of recommendations from podcasts and companies to make your initial or continued steps into the industry that little bit easier.
Tips and Tricks: A few things we’ve learnt to avoid in order to make fewer mistakes.
Access: The lecture sessions will be recorded, and you will receive free access to the recordings for 6 months, available from April 1st, 2021.
Advice: Specialist advice from leading immersive theatre creators and experts, and from fellow creators within the class.
The Benefits of Taking Part
After completing this masterclass series, you will have gained:
A range of skills from creating immersive theatre to performing in it, including practical techniques in navigating the most daunting parts of theatre creation.
The ability to start forming the next steps in a piece of theatre you’ve wanted to create; with advice and guidance from Bertie.
Templates and examples to guide you through making a concept a reality.
A roster of fellow creators; who will support and offer advice on your future work.
A set of new skills, or a brushing up of old skills, during Lockdown 3.
Bursary and Financial Aid
We have a limited amount of bursary funded spaces available. This bursary is in place to help you explore and develop your practice by enabling you to gain new skills and knowledge. The whole cost of the masterclass will be covered.
Eligibility is based primarily on financial need. We are especially interested in applications from BAME individuals, applicants who identify as disabled, those who have previously been unable to find support/opportunity to learn and create, and/or those who live in the Southwark area.
To apply for the bursary, please email info@colabtheatre.co.uk with no more than 200 words explaining why you think you’re suitable for receiving the bursary and why you would like to be involved.
Deadline for bursary applications is 1st February, 2021.