Bristol Old Vic Youth Theatre Summer School, Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2024. Film: Lee Pretious

Bristol Old Vic Youth Theatre Summer School 2024

Our 10th Youth Theatre Summer School, in collaboration with Bristol Old Vic, saw young people aged between 11 – 14 years participate in a series of masterclasses that gave insights into different aspects of developing a production. Taking inspiration from our exhibition ‘Phyllida Barlow. unscripted,’ the workshops explored script writing, movement, choreography, set design, costume design, music and sound design. Led by Director Krista Matthews, the Summer School culminated in participants sharing their original material with family and friends.

‘unscripted’ marks Hauser & Wirth Somerset’s 10th anniversary that was
inaugurated by Barlow’s exhibition ‘GIG’ in 2014. Both the 2024 and 2014 Bristol Old Vic Youth Theatre Summer School’s were inspired by the artist’s sculptural work, responding to her extraordinary forms and imposing installations.

Bristol Old Vic Youth Theatre Summer School, Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2024. Photo: Clare Walsh

Bristol Old Vic Youth Theatre Summer School, Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2024. Photo: Clare Walsh

Our longstanding partnership with Bristol Old Vic gives young people interested in drama and performing arts the opportunity to work with professional artists and directors. The annual Summer School provides an environment of playful creativity, allowing young people to experiment with different techniques, genres and art forms, guided by professional theatermakers and artists.

Watch a selection of previous Bristol Old Vic Youth Theatre Summer School performances: ‘Retell Again and Again’ (2023); ‘The Adventures of the Wilderness People’ (2022); ‘We Do, We Undo, We Redo’ (2019); and ‘Cara (KA-ra)’ (2018).

Bristol Old Vic Youth Theatre Summer School, Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2024. Photo: Clare Walsh

Bristol Old Vic Youth Theatre Summer School, Hauser & Wirth Somerset, 2024. Photo: Clare Walsh

About Bristol Old Vic
Bristol Old Vic is home to one of UK theatre’s biggest learning and engagement programs working across the city through pioneering outreach projects, as well as creating major community productions on its stages. Formed in 1946, they became the first publicly funded theater outside of London. The organization is committed to creating opportunities for new voices and artists, and to present an increasingly diverse program of stories.

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