'Beginners Please' is the phrase that all actors hear over the tannoy, 5 minutes before a show starts, calling them to the stage.

This project calls local primary pupils (KS1&2) to the Salberg Studio Theatre stage at Salisbury Playhouse to benefit from a professional performance experience that builds confidence, resilience, oracy and cultural capital.

Schools create a performance to suit their curriculum, their pupils and their capacity and perform at Salisbury Playhouse for an audience of friends and family.

Beginners Please has been celebrated by both HRH Prince of Wales and HM the Queen.

The core offer for Beginners Please is ...

• A technical/dress rehearsal and performance slot in the Salberg Studio, across 1 day, with professional technical support
• Planning support from our Education Officer
• A resource pack to help inspire your performance
• A CPD offer for teachers

Schools can then choose from a menu of support and activities, including:

• In-School Workshops
• Teachers CPD
• Backstage Tours
• Recommendations for scripts or inspiration materials

NEW THIS YEAR!- We will be offering all Beginners Please schools the chance to see a professional show on the very stage your pupils will be performing on!

• You choose components to benefit one or more classes, picking the number and type of activities to suit your budget, timetable and location
• Spread activities across the year OR compress activities into shorter time periods (e.g. mini-projects or Arts Weeks)
• Workshops are delivered at a time to suit the school in school OR at Salisbury Playhouse depending on their content and your preference

This year your technical/dress rehearsal and performance must take place on the same day, with am, pm and evening slots available.

How to Book

• Email takepart@wiltshirecreative.co.uk to request a Beginners Please! Booking Form
• Complete and return the form to takepart@wiltshirecreative.co.uk. Please Note: You will need to select a 1st and 2nd preference date for your Technical and Dress Rehearsal and Showcase Performance
• Once we receive the completed form, we will call you to arrange any In-School Workshop Dates and confirm your Technical and Dress Rehearsal and Showcase Performance dates
• You will then be emailed an agreement and it’s ‘Beginners Please!’

Beginners Please! Fees

Core Package: £350.00

• Planning Meeting
• 2 Places on the Twilight CPD Event (Date TBC)
• Resources Pack
• Technical Information Pack
• Content Resourses
• 1 Hour Technical Rehearsal (Salberg)
• 1 Hour Dress Rehearsal (Salberg)
• 2 Hour Showcase Performance Slot (Max 1 Hour Performance Time)

Recommended Package: £440.00 (Saving of £80)

All content included in the Core Package plus:

• 1 Hour Performance Preparation Workshop (Max 30 students)
• Backstage Tour

Optional Components

• 1 Hour In School Workshop (Max 30 students): £120.00
• Backstage Tour: £50.00
• 1.5-2 Hour Bespoke In-School CPD Session: £200.00
• Live Performance (Stories In The Dust): £9.00 per student

Workshop Multi-Buy

• 2nd workshop: £100.00
• 3rd workshop: £80.00