Friday Company
The Friday Company is now on sale to current members and the waitlist. To be added to the mailing/waiting list for Autumn 2026 and beyond, please email community@orangetreetheatre.co.uk
What is the OT Friday Company?
The OT Friday Company is a creative and supportive environment for older adults to develop their performance skills and understanding of theatre. It provides a space for you to be curious, creative and imaginative and become part of a lively community group.
Members meet once a week and will:
- Meet new people, be part of a thriving community and build confidence
- Experience ensemble rehearsal processes for both scripted and devised work
- Practically explore all aspects of theatre with sessions spanning acting, devising, writing and directing through a variety of different practitioners’ techniques and scripts by established playwrights
- Receive a Masterclass from OT staff to gain a wider understanding of how a theatre building operates
- Receive a free ticket for a group trip to a show per term
Term Date Details 2026-2027
OT Friday Company’s sessions take place on Fridays from 10:30am – 1:30pm in the following weeks at the Orange Tree Theatre rehearsal rooms.
Autumn
W/C 21st September – W/C 19th October (5 weeks)
Half Term: W/C 26th October – W/C 2nd November
W/C 9th November – W/C 7th December (5 weeks)
Spring
W/C 4th January – W/C 8th February (6 weeks)
Half Term: W/C 15th February
W/C 22nd February – W/C 15th March (4 weeks)
Summer
Please note, this is a performance term, so there may be additional weekend rehearsals and rehearsals during the day in the week before the show.
W/C 26th April – W/C 24th May (5 weeks)
Half Term: W/C 31st May
W/C 7th June – W/C 19th July (7 weeks)
How do I sign up?
To book, click on the time on the left-hand side. To sign up to the waiting list or enquire about a trial session or ask any questions, email community@orangetreetheatre.co.uk
Cost and Bursaries
The cost is £250 per term.
To ensure that our Community programme remains accessible and open to everyone, we have limited bursary places available for all our participation projects. Please get in contact with Francesca at francesca.ellis@orangetreetheatre.co.uk for more information.
Who will I work with?
Jess Haygarth is a director & theatre maker who specialises in devised work. She trained at LAMDA as a director & has since been commissioned to make & direct work by The Tron, Summerhall, Talbot Rice Gallery, Tramshed & Stanley Arts. She’s Artistic Director of Sweet Beef Theatre whose original devised work have been shortlisted for the Charlie Harthill & LET Awards & has toured nationally. Jess is passionate about creating work which highlights the voices of marginalised individuals, specifically queer people, working class people & women.
Jess works as a community director and facilitator for the National Youth Theatre, London Symphony Orchestra & Richmond Theatre & is a Lead Practitioner for Artist Led Practice at LAMDA. She regularly facilitates drama workshops in schools & community settings & has been commissioned to create a community arts project for the Edinburgh Art Festival.
Jess has also Assistant Directed on productions at Shoreditch Town Hall, Shakespeare in Schools Projects & provided understudy rehearsal support at the Donmar Warehouse.
