Whatever your interest in amateur theatre, our exciting, day-long event has something for you.

All attendees at Amateur Theatre Fest will have the chance to take part in practical, interactive workshops, plus enjoy talks by some of the country's top playwrights. Find out more about what's on offer below.

All sessions are at Amateur Theatre Fest are led by expert practitioners – click each name to learn more about them.

Sign-in (10:00 - 10:30)

Come to our welcome desk in The Questors Theatre foyer, receive your delegate pack and enjoy complimentary refreshments before the day’s activities begin.

Welcome speech (10:30 - 11:00)

Start the day with a keynote address by popular actor, director and writer Simon Callow (Shakespeare in Love, Four Weddings and a Funeral).

Session 1 (11:15 - 12:00)

~~Option A: Improve at Improvisation~~

Explore the basics of improvisation in this fun and empowering workshop led by Katy Schutte, one of the UK's top improv performers and teachers.

~~Option B: The Essentials of Directing~~

Take part in a masterclass in theatre directing, led by Stephen Unwin – a highly experienced director, former Artistic Director of the Rose Theatre, Kingston, and co-founder of English Touring Theatre.

~~Option C: Acting Through Song~~

Learn how to take the techniques of modern actor training and apply them to the fundamental component of musical theatre: singing. Led by actor, director, musical director and composer Paul Harvard.

~~Option D: Performing Shakespeare~~

Enjoy a masterclass in Shakespearean performance, delivered by Oliver Ford Davies – one of the UK’s top actors, well-known for his many roles on stage and screen, and an Honorary Associate Artist of the Royal Shakespeare Company.

~~Option E: Scenes from 'Cock' and 'Love, Love, Love' by Mike Bartlett~~

Enjoy extracts from two fantastic plays by Mike Bartlett, presented by two of London's leading amateur companies.

Cock is presented by Putney Theatre Company. When John takes a break from his boyfriend, he accidentally meets the girl of his dreams. Filled with guilt and indecision, he decides there is only one way to straighten this out.
Love, Love, Love is presented by Tower Theatre Company. It's 1967. Kenneth and Sandra know the world is changing and they want some of it. Smoking, drinking, affectionate and paranoid, they journey forty years from initial burst to full bloom.

Please be advised that these scenes contain adult themes and strong language.

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In Conversation with... Mike Bartlett (12:15 - 13:00)

Mike Bartlett, the award-winning writer of plays including Earthquakes in London, Bull and King Charles III , plus TV hit Doctor Foster, discusses his incredibly successful and varied career, followed by an audience Q&A.

Lunch (13:00 - 14:00)

Lunch is included in the price of your ticket. Take the time to speak to and network with fellow amateur theatre-makers, and browse the pop-up Amateur Theatre Fest bookshop.

Meet the Performing Rights Manager (13:30 - 13:50)

Take the opportunity to put questions to Tamara von Werthern, Performing Rights Manager at Nick Hern Books.

In Conversation with... Amanda Whittington (14:00 - 14:45)

Amanda Whittington, the massively popular writer of plays including Ladies’ Day, Be My Baby and The Thrill of Love talks about her career and widely performed works, followed by an audience Q&A.

Session 2 (15:00 - 15:45)

~~Option A: Let's Play Some Drama Games~~

Discover and try out some fantastic drama games, guaranteed to inspire and energise you to make the very most of rehearsals and performance. Led by actor, drama tutor and director Thomasina Unsworth.

~~Option B: Introduction to Stage Combat~~

Get to grips with the essentials of performing unarmed stage fights in this fun and accessible class, suitable for beginners. Led by Roger Bartlett, Master Teacher at the British Academy of Stage & Screen Combat.

~~Option C: Designing for the Stage~~

Give your next production a real ‘wow factor’ with this workshop on effective and impactful stage design, led by award-winning theatre designer Michael Pavelka .

~~Option D: Finding Your Voice~~

Take part in this practical masterclass to develop your voice so it can play your thoughts and feelings truthfully whilst maintaining vocal ease. Led by Barbara Houseman, a voice and text coach for forty years, and currently Associate Director of Voice & Text at the Open Air Theatre, Regent’s Park.

~~Option E: Scenes from 'Ladies' Day', 'Ladies Down Under' and 'The Thrill of Love' by Amanda Whittington~~

Enjoy extracts from three incredibly popular plays by Amanda Whittington, which have been performed by amateur companies the length and breadth of the UK.

Ladies' Day and Ladies Down Under are presented by Sudbury Dramatic Society. Two exuberant comedies about four likely lasses from the Hull fish docks on a day trip to the races, and a trip of a lifetime to the land of Oz.
The Thrill of Love is presented by Crescent Theatre. Ruth works in the kind of nightclubs where there’s more than just a drink on offer. The girls work hard, play hard and dream of a movie-star life. Then she meets wealthy, womanising David. Fame comes - but not in the way she imagines.

Please be advised that these scenes contain adult themes and mild language.

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Tea Break (15:45 - 16:15)

Refreshment s are included in the price of your ticket. Take the time to speak to and network with fellow amateur theatre-makers, and browse the pop-up Amateur Theatre Fest bookshop.

Session 3 (16:15 - 17:00)

~~Option A: Let's Play Some Drama Games~~

Discover and try out some fantastic drama games, guaranteed to inspire and energise you to make the very most of rehearsals and performance. Led by actor, drama tutor and director Thomasina Unsworth.

~~Option B: Introduction to Stage Combat~~

~~Option C: Producing and Marketing Your Show~~

Learn how to make your next production a hit with this talk on how to produce and market it to its maximum effect. Led by Olivier Award-winning theatre producer and general manager James Seabright.

~~Option D: Audition Surgery~~

Discover top tips to impress the audition panel and bag that top role in this hands-on session. Led by actor, writer, director and drama teacher Andy Johnson.

~~Option E: Scenes from 'Jerusalem' and 'Mojo' by Jez Butterworth~~

Enjoy extracts from two award-winning plays by Jez Butterworth, author of recent West End hit The Ferryman.

Jerusalem is presented by The Norwich Players. Johnny 'Rooster' Byron is a wanted man. The council officials want to serve him an eviction notice, a vengeful father wants to give him a serious kicking, and a motley crew of mates wants his ample supply of drugs and alcohol.
Mojo is presented by Questors Theatre. In the seedy gangster underworld of the rock'n'roll scene, club owners fight for control of Johnny Silver, the latest young sensation.

Please be advised that these scenes contain adult themes and strong language.

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In Conversation with... Jez Butterworth (17:15 - 18:00)

Jez Butterworth, the acclaimed writer of modern stage classics such as Mojo, Jerusalem and The Ferryman , plus onscreen hits including James Bond film Spectre, Black Mass (starring Johnny Depp) and Edge of Tomorrow (starring Tom Cruise), rounds off the day with a discussion of his career and plays, followed by an audience Q&A.

Evening Drinks (from 18:00)

Once the sessions have ended, join us in Questors' Grapevine Bar for a chance to relax with a well-deserved drink!

PLEASE NOTE: Speakers and workshop leaders are subject to change. This page will be updated with current information. (Last amended: 18 July 2018)