About
Our members meet throughout school term time to learn about the world of performing arts through fun drama games and theatre productions that provide the skills needed to become an extraordinary performing artist.
As well as learning acting skills, we offer the opportunity to try stage management, directing, lighting and sound, costume design, as well as a variety of other backstage and theatre production skills.
Leaning how to act
Whether in-person or online, our group members are coached and directed by professional actors and teachers who use specialist acting exercises, games and focused drama workshops to create a didactic experience that will motivate them to achieve their best whilst having a great time. Our stage acting, performing arts and voice development processes involve:
character analysis and development – vocal training – improvisation – movement and interpretation – method acting
drama games – breathing techniques – text evaluations – scene study – regular feedback – individual and group tuition
As well as performing monologues, taking on scripted roles and devising their own pieces, Lewes Drama Collective members can work with experienced backstage crews in order to learn more about the entire process of theatre and radio production.
Productions and Performances
Lewes Drama Collective members produce a number of theatre shows each year within a packed programme that offers all participants to practice their craft in different stage settings.
No matter whether members are backstage crew members, supporting characters or are given leading roles – each individual learns that whatever part one is chosen for, it does not lessen one’s importance to the team or the show.
We endorse the value of being part of a production and help everyone involved to appreciate the meaning of “There Are No Small Acting Parts Only Small Actors”, because participating enables our members to learn dedication, versatility, responsibility and self-development above all. Bit parts offer actors the opportunity to develop an interesting backstory and memorable character around a minimal and more flexible framework.
By giving members the opportunity to take on different types of roles, we also help them to develop a wider variety of skills so that they may be more likely to be cast in character roles and not just straight roles.
We proudly offer our members the excellent rehearsal space and stage at the historically important and community focused All Saints Centre in Lewes, which can host up to 150 audience members at each show.
Our members
Lewes Drama Collective members are aged 5 years and up, and come from Lewes (East Sussex, UK), Seaford, Newhaven and Brighton as well as surrounding villages across East Sussex and overseas. Many stay with Lewes Drama Collective for years as the transition from Junior Club up to the Youth Group is an easy process.
New people join each term, and most members have been with us for at least 2 years, with some for over 15 years!
100% learning experience
In our Member Satisfaction Survey, 100% of our members said that they enjoy the workshop content and learning environment, and that they have become more able to focus on tasks.
It is very reassuring to know that since they started with us, the majority also feel more positive, better about themselves and more confident when trying something new.
Here are just a few comments from some of our members:
“I joined to learn how to act and be on stage. What I like most is that the tutors teach us like professionals.”
“I enjoy learning new acting styles and skills.”
“I have learnt many on stage and off stage techniques.”
Weekly Activities
Offering fun and educational weekly drama workshops throughout East Sussex school term times for ages 5 and up, we also provide additional professional one-to-one tutoring opportunities…
An opportunity for girls and boys aged between 5 and 10 years to learn about the world of performing arts through fun drama games and theatre productions during term time each Thursday afternoons (usually at The Unity Centre in Lewes, BN7 2LE).
Our largest group of 11 to 19 year olds meet Thursday early evenings during school terms to rehearse each term for a new production (usually at Trinity Church South Malling, BN7 2JA). The group presents major productions which require additional rehearsals on some Wednesdays and Sundays.
Productions, games and didactic fun on Saturday mornings (usually in the Function Room upstairs at The Royal Oak in Lewes, BN7 2DA) and are suitable for people aged 11 and up.
Online Drama Workshops for Kids
Learn a variety of acting techniques such as character development, improvisation, voice exercises, breathing techniques, improvisation and method acting. These Tuesday evening sessions aim to boost concentration as well as skills in presentation, teamwork and enhanced confidence.
Break free from your day-to-day routine, forget your responsibilities for an hour and participate in freedom of expression. Join us for a fun learning experience on Monday evenings to learn how to act, improve your presentation skills, boost self confidence and develop your vocal techniques.
Holiday Drama Clubs
During Easter and summer school holidays we offer very interactive and didactic experiences incorporating fun games and professional exercises that develop key skills and help members push themselves further as performing artists.
Ways to get involved
Volunteer
Everyone at Drama Collective thoroughly enjoys the performing arts and is committed to providing accessible and family-friendly theatre fun for our audience members. Each of our main performances (which are usually held at the All Saints Centre or King’s Church in Lewes) welcome up to 150 audience members.
Our groups are extremely fortunate to have a wonderful tight-knit team as well as a very small number of dedicated volunteers, including our costume designer and professional marketing consultant.
As a completely self-funded collective with very limited budget, we are extremely grateful to volunteers who are incredibly helpful in helping us put on our successful shows. As such we are always on the look-out for fantastic individuals who may like to give a few hours of their time to join our crew backstage to chaperone, control the lighting and music, help create props and scenery, and help during get-in and get-out (before and after shows). If you would like to help us out behind the scenes, please get in touch via our Contact Form.
Donate a raffle prize
While we are not a registered charity, we do run raffles at some of our shows that help to raise funds for charitable not-for-profit organisations The Flying Seagull Project and The Starr Trust – both of which do brilliant work for younger generations by turning frowns upside down to bring joy and laughter to those who need it most in the UK and at refugee camps overseas.
In return for raffle prize donations, your business logo would be featured in prominent marketing areas to be seen by all audience members:
Main show programme + Online + Posters displayed at the venue
For more information, please contact Becky via email at marketing@dramacollective.com.
Sponsorship and holistic marketing packages
There may be other ways in which you would like to show your support to our hard-working members and team. For instance, in addition to, or as an alternative to, buying tickets to see our shows, you may like to consider some of the below ideas:
Programme sponsorship
For each of our main show performances, we aim to have professionally printed A5 programmes. To help promote your printing business to our 200+ audience members who come from Lewes and surrounding towns throughout Sussex, we would be very grateful to have your support in covering the cost of printing our programme in return for a full page advert, social media mention, web article inclusion and special thanks at our shows.
Programme advertising
Our professionally printed A5 programmes would also be made available as digital programmes, and offer various advert size and layout options.
Production sponsorship
To help with the rising running costs of our productions (venue and equipment hire, props and costumes materials, advertising, etc.) you may wish to sponsor our main shows and have your business advertised throughout our three-month long production promotion in a combination of digital and PR campaigns targeted at people in and around the Lewes area.
The above options are not finite and we are always open to suggestions that would help us to fund our shows.
Please contact Becky via email at marketing@dramacollective.com to discuss any of the above or indeed other ways in which to support us.