Friday Company
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
The OT Friday Company will perform on the Orange Tree Theatre stage as part of OT Community’s intergenerational festival in Summer 2024.
Spring Term booking now open!
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
OT Friday Company’s sessions take place on Fridays from 10:30am – 1:30pm at the Orange Tree Theatre.
2023 – 24 Spring Term dates
Friday 12th January 2024 – Friday 22nd March 2024
Half Term (no session): Friday 16th February 2024
Cost and Bursaries
The cost is £225 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.
