The National Association of Youth Theatres

The Arts Room

The Generation Gap

The Sheltered Project

Artsplan

Contact Theatre

Greater Manchester Youth Network

Full Circle Arts

Lewis Art Photography

Panda

The Royal Exchange Theatre

News

What you missed in Our Town
Catch up on the latest from the online Social Media Soap Opera
Come and see Our Alternative Christmas Production

We are now in our final rehearsals for this year’s alternative Christmas show “REAP.” OTW studio 1 has been transformed like never before and the space will definitely make the audience feel part of the environment. Expect to feel every emotion possible as the close up action unfolds! Reap is a completely original piece of theatre exploring issues surrounding youth culture in today’s society. Loosely based around the recent UK riots, the story explores the concept of “you reap what you sow.” Our central characters Liam and Alison meet through unlikely circumstances and the story follows their developing relationship which sends their lives spiralling in a new direction. The wider issues surrounding their journey are explored through a Brechtian performance style allowing us to question and comment on relevant issues and influences regarding the central theme.

 

As a director I feel strongly that theatre should have a purpose as well as entertain an audience. I hope this piece will not only take you on a powerful emotional journey but also provide a politically relevant thought provoking perspective.

 

 The young people involved have worked extremely hard throughout a very challenging devising process. We have been working with writer Sarah nelson to create an exciting story whilst exploring real current issues in society. It has been fantastic experience to work with such a creative and talented cast; they have had a huge input to the content and style of the piece.
Rehearsal Diary

Hello, my name is Megan Knowles and I have been assigned to help on the Huddersfield Canal Project as part as my work experience at Oldham Theatre Workshop. The performance will be happening on Sunday 18th September 2011, to prepare rehearsals have been taking place through out the week. To rehearse the cast spent Thursday 15th-Saturday 17th devising a piece suitable for the Canal Fate. They already knew who the main characters would be; A Time Traveller- visiting the past, Thomas Telford- an engineer who helped finish the tunnel, Laurence- a man relaxing on the canal, the factory girls- who explain their involvement with the canal, Billy- a boy who helped restore the canal in the 80’s and the half timers.


Reflections Of The Past

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the opening of the Huddersfield Canal to through navigation and the Huddersfield Canal Society are planning an ambitious celebratory event to mark the occasion. The event will take place in Diggle, on the weekend of 17th/18th September.

The Split Second At The Fringe

'A truly moving piece of drama highliting the transience of life' edfringe.com Click here to read more about our experiences at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Young dancers STRIDE forward

STRIDE gives young males aged 11–19 the chance to take part in contemporary dance workshops with professional artists and deliver a major arts performance.


Rewriting the menu

We have been working with the communities in Waterhead to deliver an interactive creative consultation event for the Oldham East District Partnership as part of the ‘St George’s Day Celebrations’.

Community Voices

Community Voices aims to bring the talents of your school together to record your own song!

Students, teachers, Dinner Ladies, parents...all welcome

Share your voice with your local community and get involved
 

Sign up for summer shows

We’re now searching for aspiring young performers for our big summer projects.
Auditions for the Prom! (ages 13 - 25) and Rhyme to Remember (ages 8 - 14yrs) musicals take place next month and we need the best budding talent from across Oldham.

 

 

Split Second Tour and More
It’s Friday afternoon at the end of week one of my work experience at Oldham Theatre Workshop, and we’ve returned from Our Ladies, where OTW performed The Split Second for the first time this year. The Split Second is a piece of drama created to raise awareness of road safety and the responsibilities that come with being a new driver.
The Wedding of the year

Actors House, our young person’s theatre group for 16–25 year olds, have started work on their most adventurous project yet.

The Wedding is an innovative new kind of theatre production that encourages the audience to interact with the cast and crew… and you are invited!

  

Holocaust Memorial Events

We start the New Year with an inspirational piece of collaborative theatre to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.


The Wedding
Actors House the 16 - 25 years group have started work on their most adventurous project yet!
Countdown to A Christmas Carol

We are now adding the final touches to our fantastic reworking of the classic Charles Dickens tale A Christmas Carol. This exciting end-of-year show runs at the Grange Arts Centre in Oldham from Tuesday 21 to Thursday 23 December, 7.30pm (with a Thursday matinee at 2.30pm).

Brimming with Christmas Spirit

Rehearsals have now started for Oldham Theatre Workshops upcoming production of A Christmas Carol.


Giving a voice to the community

Oldham Theatre Workshop are working on an innovative new project that uses theatre to engage with our local communities.


OTW Add Drama To Parenting Conference

Rehearsals have now started for an amazing piece of theatre to be performed at the Corporate Parenting Conference in November.

Oldham Theatre Workshop will use drama to explore the lives of looked after children and the big issues that affect them as they make the transition to adulthood.

 

The Corporate Parenting Conference is an annual event aimed at senior officers, elected members and partners across Oldham Council and beyond. It aims to highlight the important role that all services can play in the development of these children and our responsibilities to include young people in all decision making.

Our young actors will perform five short pieces of drama and linked workshops at the event. After consultation with young people at the Union Street Centre these performances will cover education, employment, health, housing and finance topics.

 

The specially commissioned work will reinforce to delegates their legal and moral duty of care for all looked after children across Oldham. This includes children in care and foster care, young people in children’s homes and those under 24 hour care.

 

Zoë Charnock, Corporate Parenting Manager for Oldham Council who commissioned the play, said:

 “We have full confidence in Oldham Theatre Workshop to deliver this project, promote our work and bring the issues to life. Using theatre we want to highlight our key message… that if it’s not good enough for your own kids then it’s not good enough for looked after children.”

 

The project is part of OTW's ongoing partnership work with looked after children, having recently created a cyber-bullying drama, radio pantomime and animation programme.

 

The company also took a group of young people in care to Auschwitz earlier this year as part of the 22nd Century Citizens project and they were heavily involved in our major summer production Shades of Grey.

 

Bernadette Deakin, Participation Officer for Oldham Council who ensures young people are involved with local services and the decision making process, said:

 “We have been working with Oldham Theatre Workshop over the last two years and children have built a trusted relationship with them.”

 

“Through the Children in Care Council we created a new drama group to discuss and develop emotive issues in a safe environment,” continued Bernadette. “The work has been brilliant in boosting confidence and self esteem, allowing young people to develop creative skills and gain learning certificates for their portfolios.”

 

The Corporate Parenting Conference takes place on Tuesday 16 November in Oldham.



 

‘Lumenus’ light the way

Oldham Theatre Workshop is taking part in a groundbreaking exchange project for students with special needs next month.

Working in partnership with New Bridge School artists will travel to Finland in support of their Lumenus project.

OTW TAKES POWERFUL NEW DRAMA ON TOUR

 Our latest project aims to make a positive difference to communities by changing young people’s perceptions of road safety.

2 OTW Members Hit The Big Time

In February of this year Stefan Davies-Capper and Bethany Crompton went for an audition with The National Youth Theatre. Read on to find out how they did…..

Facebook Twitter and Beyond
Oldham Theatre Workshop are trying to help all members and prosepctive members keep in touch daily.
Crossing International Boundaries 2010
Oldham Theatre Workshop, M6 Youth Theatre, Rochdale and The Academy for Peace and Development in Georgia are working together on a cultural programme of work involving young people and leaders/artists to explore the issues of Home and National Identity
Exciting New Musical For 8 to 12 Year Olds
Have You Got What It Takes?Can We Make You Wishes Come True? We're searching for fresh new faces to showcase their talents in what will be a truly magical and inspiring piece of musical theatre. The show will be performed right here in the OTW studio theatre in June of this year.

Have You Got The X Factor

Have you got the X Factor? We're looking for hot new talent to take centre stage this Summer. Read on to find out how you could get involved in the premier of a new major piece of musical theatre. The show will be performed in July at the Oldham Coliseum. book your audition now and get involved!

One of our members gives an account of life at OTW
A Cast Member's Perspective by Jenni Smith
I have been a member of Oldham Theatre Workshop for nine years now, reflecting the colossal role the company has played in what some might call my most influential years. Throughout my life and involvement with OTW, I have had the chance to not only participate in over 14 major productions, performing at various venues including Shaw Playhouse 2, Grange Arts Centre and the renowned Oldham Coliseum Theatre, but I have also been offered the chance to participate in projects such as taking a piece of street theatre to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, a valuable experience I probably wouldn’t have gained if it weren’t for OTW.
Welcome To Oldham Theatre Workshop

Oldham Theatre Workshop is a creative, inclusive and quality theatre resource; contributing to the personal and social development of all people in Oldham.

Oldham Teens remember victims of the Holocaust with a trip to Auschwitz
A group of Oldham teenagers are planning a harrowing trip to the Auschwitz concentration camp as the country gears up to mark Holocaust Memorial Day on January 27.
During its 43 successful years, Oldham Theatre Workshop has given thousands of children and young people aged 6 - 25 the opportunity to take part in theatre productions and workshops of the highest quality.  The organisation was the training ground for many of the famous names on our TV screens today, such as Sarah Lancashire, Anna Friel, Anthony Cotton, Suranne Jones, Mark Jordan, Ann Kirkbride and Lisa Riley.

< Newer Older >

Events Diary

01/01/2000 00:00:00

22/02/2010 00:00:00

NAYT Excellence and Inclusion Launch

08/03/2010 00:00:00

Street Theatre Rehearsal 6pm

11/03/2010 00:00:00

22nd Century Citizens Meeting 6pm to 8pm

13/03/2010 00:00:00

14/03/2010 00:00:00

Shades of Grey Auditions
Shades Of Grey

18/03/2010 00:00:00

Leopard Theatre Company Performance

24/03/2010 00:00:00

26/03/2010 00:00:00

Actors House Show

24/03/2010 00:00:00

26/03/2010 00:00:00

Actors House Show Occasional Days In E Minor

30/03/2010 00:00:00

31/03/2010 00:00:00

The Wish Auditions

12/04/2010 00:00:00

Street Theatre Rehearsal 6pm to 10pm

19/04/2010 00:00:00

The Wish First Rehearsal

19/04/2010 00:00:00

Shades of Grey Rehearsal

20/04/2010 00:00:00

21/04/2010 00:00:00

Ordinary John on Tour

24/04/2010 00:00:00

Five A Day at Royton Crompton School

28/04/2010 00:00:00

Global Dimensions Workshop at The Radclyffe School

29/04/2010 00:00:00

Game Over Performance New Bridge School

30/04/2010 00:00:00

Game Over Performance Oldham College

01/05/2010 00:00:00

10/07/2010 00:00:00

Term Starts

08/05/2010 00:00:00

09/05/2010 00:00:00

22nd Century Citizens Residential

12/05/2010 00:00:00

Mosiac Drama Workshop in Saddleworth

14/05/2010 00:00:00

FCHO Training Event

16/05/2010 00:00:00

Encore Street Theatre Rehearsal

28/05/2010 00:00:00

Street Theatre Rehearsal

30/05/2010 00:00:00

Encore Oldham Festival

31/05/2010 00:00:00

Encore Oldham Festival

13/06/2010 00:00:00

The Wish Sunday Rehearsal

14/06/2010 00:00:00

Disability Arts Showcase at The Lowry

17/06/2010 00:00:00

Craig Advance Planning trip to Georgia

19/06/2010 00:00:00

Five a Day at the Youth Alliance Fun Day

23/06/2010 00:00:00

The Road to Nab End Performance at Oldham Coliseum

26/06/2010 00:00:00

Five A day Chadderton Family Fun Day

01/07/2010 00:00:00

03/07/2010 00:00:00

The Wish Oldham Theatre Workshop Studio 1

08/07/2010 00:00:00

Crossing International Boundaries 2010 first planning meeting

10/07/2010 00:00:00

11/07/2010 00:00:00

24hr Shades of Grey Rehearsal

10/07/2010 00:00:00

OTW Showbacks at Grange Theatre

22/07/2010 00:00:00

24/07/2010 00:00:00

Shades of Grey at Oldham Coliseum

26/07/2010 00:00:00

28/07/2010 00:00:00

Summer Workshop Production week

02/08/2010 00:00:00

06/08/2010 00:00:00

Summer Workshop Gleek Mythology

02/08/2010 00:00:00

Crossing International Boundaries 2010 planning meeting

21/08/2010 00:00:00

28/08/2010 00:00:00

OTW At The Edinburgh Fringe Festival

11/09/2010 00:00:00

19/09/2010 00:00:00

Crossing International Boundaries 2010

30/09/2010 00:00:00

02/10/2010 00:00:00

NAYT Raising the Game Youth Theatre Training Event

27/10/2010 00:00:00

Crossing International Boundaries Georgia Presentation

08/11/2010 00:00:00

17/11/2010 00:00:00

Split Second Tour

08/11/2010 00:00:00

13/11/2010 00:00:00

LumenUs International Project in Finland

16/11/2010 00:00:00

Corporate Parenting Conference

20/11/2010 00:00:00

End of Autumn Term Showbacks

21/12/2010 00:00:00

23/12/2010 00:00:00

A Christmas Carol Performance

14/01/2011 00:00:00

16/01/2011 00:00:00

Listen to the Earth Residential

15/01/2011 00:00:00

Weekly Workshops Start

17/01/2011 00:00:00

Listen to the Earth New Vic Theatre

26/01/2011 00:00:00

05/02/2011 00:00:00

Listen to the Earth Installation SHOP

27/01/2011 00:00:00

Holocaust Memorial Day Oldham

07/02/2011 00:00:00

11/02/2011 00:00:00

Split Second Tour

21/02/2011 00:00:00

26/02/2011 00:00:00

Half Term Holidays

23/02/2011 00:00:00

OTW "Split Second" Perform At Driving Instructors Event

19/03/2011 00:00:00

20/02/2011 00:00:00

Auditions for Rhyme 2 Remember
Rhyme 2 Remember

19/03/2011 00:00:00

20/03/2011 00:00:00

Auditions for PROM
Prom The Musical 13 to 25 yrs

27/03/2011 00:00:00

04/03/2011 00:00:00

Showback Week Gallery Oldham

08/04/2011 00:00:00

09/04/2011 00:00:00

Actors House Perfrom "The Wedding"

23/04/2011 00:00:00

OTW Perform "Cafe Libretto"

24/05/2011 00:00:00

26/05/2011 00:00:00

Community Voices Project

28/05/2011 00:00:00

Cafe Libretto at Festival Oldham

29/05/2011 00:00:00

OTW Perform "Cafe Libretto" At Youth Diversity Event In Greenacres Park

18/06/2011 00:00:00

Guido Laverne at Oldham Youth Alliance Fun Day

18/06/2011 00:00:00

Cafe Libretto at Oldham Youth Alliance Fun Day

18/06/2011 00:00:00

Five A Day Fruit at Oldham Youth Alliance Fun Day

18/06/2011 00:00:00

Youth Alliance Fun Day at Alexandra Park

30/06/2011 00:00:00

02/07/2011 00:00:00

Rhyme to Remember Performances at Studio 1 Oldham Theatre Workshop

16/07/2011 00:00:00

OTW Showbacks at the Grange Arts Centre

28/07/2011 00:00:00

30/07/2011 00:00:00

OTW Summer Hit
Prom The Musical

28/07/2011 00:00:00

30/07/2011 00:00:00

OTW Massive Summer Hit "Prom"
Prom The Musical

04/08/2011 00:00:00

12/08/2011 00:00:00

OTW Summer School

21/08/2011 00:00:00

28/08/2011 00:00:00

The Split Second at Edinburgh Fringe Festival

26/08/2011 00:00:00

Showcase event for Trailer

02/09/2011 00:00:00

04/09/2011 00:00:00

Encore Street Theatre at Minfest Kendal

10/09/2011 00:00:00

Autumn Term Starts

12/09/2011 00:00:00

First Rehearsal for Reap

18/09/2011 00:00:00

OTW Outdoor performance to mark 200 years of the Huddesfield Canal
Theatre marks 200 years of the Huddersfield Canal

< Newer Older >