OUR WORKSHOPS
READ ABOUT OUR WORKSHOPS AND EARLY EVENING EVENTS BELOW THEN CLICK THE REGISTER HERE BUTTON TO TAKE YOU TO THE BOOKING SITE
Agar Art
Have you ever seen art created in a petri dish using living, growing microorganisms?
That's agar art! Creators use either naturally colourful microbes, or
genetically modified microbes, like the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae, as
'paint' and various types, shapes and sizes of agar as a 'canvas.' In fact, the
original agar artist was none other than Alexander Fleming himself!
Anti-racism and Football
Show Racism the Red Card (SRtRC) is the UK’s largest anti-racism educational charity. It was established in January 1996, thanks in part to a donation by then Newcastle United goalkeeper Shaka Hislop. Coupled with the power of football and his status as a role model, Shaka set out his vision that education could be an effective strategy in challenging racism in society. SRtRC will deliver a ‘Fans of The Future’ workshop followed by a football training session.
Ballet with Birmingham Royal Ballet's Laura Tye
This is a dream workshop for anyone interested in core strength, stamina, coordination and raw, brute power.
It also happens to be led by one of the country's finest ballet dancers and foyer Birmingham Royal Ballet prima ballerina.
I know we have some strong girls who can do this. But are there any boys brave enough to try ballet?
Birmingham City Wrestling
Join Birmingham’s premier wrestling coach, James Ault, in an introductory session to
the art of wrestling.
Bollywood
Join Reena Tailor, Artistic Director of Bollywood Dreams, Birmingham’s premier dance
troop, in an introductory workshop to Indian dance.
Bushcraft
A great chance to learn now to build a fire and light it using a variety of methods, Prepare and
cook food in an outdoor environment on an open fire. You’ll be taught different
fire lighting methods and then you will prepare and light your own fire and cook
a simple snack for you to eat.
Calligraphy
Jane Lappage’s introduction to the ancient art of calligraphy. Students will produce
their own name card by the end of the class -- perfect for hanging on your dorm
door!
Cardboard City
Students create a cardboard city in 'experiential learning' that will help them to
consider world poverty through creative means.
Ceilidh
Join Pete and Gin Crewe for a brilliant and authentic workshop on traditional Scottish and Irish dance, ceilidh.
Chinese Dragon Dance
Dragon dances are performed to scare away
evil spirits. The dragon symbolises good luck, long life and wisdom. Using a
real Chinese dragon puppet, parasols, costumes and more, workshop participants
will learn the art and history behind this ancient tradition.
Chocolate Science
Officially voted as the best restaurant in Warwickshire, Café vin Cinq’s Michelin-starred
patisserie chef Else-Marie will show you how to temper chocolate in all its
glory. All students will leave with a bottle of hot chocolate, marshmallows,
and cookies, with a chance to taste everything along the way!
CircusMASH
CircusMASH was founded in 2011 by Joseph Fearn, a travelling circus performer with a huge
passion for education. Over the last ten years MASH has created a space in
Birmingham for circus, individuality, celebration, skill, equality and magic.
Join CircusMASH and their monster truck for a mass juggling workshop.
Citizen Kane
Students will be looking at clips from Citizen Kane - regularly ranked as one of the
greatest of all time, and dissecting some of the ingenious techniques the
directors, screenwriters and actors adopt, before deciding why the film
continues to resonate so long after its first release. This workshop will give
an insight into filmmaking and offer useful tips for any would-be film
directors, writers or producers.
Clowning
What makes something funny? Why do we laugh? How can we find joy in our own
ridiculousness? In this workshop you will be introduced to Clowning in an
energetic, fun, and safe environment, with next year’s Graduate Performing Arts Assistant, Sam.
Get ready to turn off your thinking brain and meet your most creative, energetic, and
hilarious self - your inner clown.
Creative Writing with Caroline Bird
English poet and playwright Caroline Bird grew up in Leeds, the daughter of noted
theatre director and producer Jude Kelly. Bird’s first collection of poems, Looking
Through Letterboxes (2002), was published when she was just 15. Her other
collections of poetry include Trouble Came to the Turnip (2006); Watering
Can (2009); The Hat-Stand Union (2013); In These Days of
Prohibition (2017), which was shortlisted for both the T.S. Eliot Prize and
the Ted Hughes Award; and The Air Year (2020). Join Caroline in a political,
thought-provoking creative writing workshop – one for all our budding
poets and playwrights.
Cryptic Crosswords for Beginners
No friends? No life? Come along to this, the most uncool workshop in the festival,
run by our very own Rev. Horner. and take the first steps into an addiction that
could blight your entire life.
Devising Theatre with The Wardrobe Ensemble
The Wardrobe Ensemble is a Bristol-based group of theatre artists working together
to make and tour new plays. They explore the big ideas of our time through
intimate human stories and bold imagery.
Their show Education, Education, Education won a Fringe First, and
recently transferred to the West End. This
workshop will equip you with a series of tools and techniques that The Wardrobe
Ensemble use to devise their work. Through short devising tasks, students will
learn how to generate material quickly, create strong visual moments and
develop creative voices.
DJ School UK
Have a go at mixing and scratching on industry standard DJ gear with professional DJs.
Drag with King Hoberon
A practical, creative workshop giving a whistlestop tour of the world of drag in
the past, present, and future. Participants will learn some of the fundamentals
of drag and be set on course to create their own drag act.
Extreme Table Tennis
Join our resident table tennis expert, Amy Zhang, for a gruelling competition.
Fashion Show
Join us for the ever-popular Rugby School Fashion Show.
Maybe you’ll be the first to spot the next Vivian Westwood or Alexander McQueen…
Feathers of Daedalus Circus
Up-and-coming alternative circus troupe, Feathers of Daedalus, introduce
students to the art of the lollipop pole.
Filth Florists
Join Rosy from Filth - a flower studio based in South London, for a creative floral
workshop. Students will work with colourful dried flowers to make dreamy
bouquets which last forever. Think electric pink, coral, turquoise, lilac, and
fluffy, frilly, drama, all round a table with a knockout playlist (made by all
of us!). At the end of the workshop, students will have learnt how to arrange
flowers, and will have your own bouquet to keep.
Gecko Theatre Company
Gecko is an award-winning and internationally-acclaimed physical theatre company,
led by Artistic Director Amit Lahav.
A Gecko show is visual, visceral, ambitious theatre crafted to inspire, move and
entertain. They strive to make their work wide open to interpretation and put
their audience at the heart of the narrative. Amit
has created an organic devising process that oscillates between intense periods
of experimentation, making brave leaps, failing and learning. It includes
choreography, writing, storyboarding and reflection. Every stage includes sonic
and technical development alongside the choreography. Join
Gecko for a full day workshop for an intensive introduction to their
experimental style of physical theatre, perfect for budding actors, dancers,
and theatre-makers.
Gender, Sexuality, and Identity
Join drag artist Helena Fox for a discussion-based workshop exploring different
aspects of LGBTQ+ identity and its representation in the media, from RuPaul's
Drag Race to the so-called 'dead lesbian trope'.
Gilchrist Masterclass
James Gilchrist is one of the world's best tenor singers with a stellar career on stage and in the recording studio.
He will be pushing our own Rugby School singers to their limits in this professional vocal masterclass.
So sit back and enjoy an hour of seriously fantastic singing.
Graffiti Stars
Work with a professional graffiti artist to create your own spray can art.
Guitar Concert
Spend a chilled out hour in the company of the school's amazing guitarists in an acoustic
gig that'll be guaranteed to give you goose bumps.
Jewellery
Join Heath and Iona in making hand-crafted jewellery using wire and beads. Every
student will take away their own piece of jewellery, whether it be earrings, a
ring, necklace or bracelet.
Kitchen Chemistry
Ever wanted to make spun sugar baskets, honeycomb and/or ice cream, using liquid
nitrogen? Now’s your chance, with our own Dr Morse!
Lucky Dip
Possibly the most popular workshop from 2017/18/19 and it's back for 2021!! Lucky Dip is exactly what you think it is.
Take a chance and pick a forfeit. Winner gets a fabulous prize every time!
Motionhouse
Motionhouse, Rugby School’s ensemble in residence, creates and tours a wide range of
inspiring and powerful dance-circus productions to theatres and festivals in
the UK and across the globe. Their distinctive, highly physical style
integrates elements of circus and acrobatics with breath-taking dance to
surprise and delight audiences, using powerful narrative and incredible digital
imagery. Join Motionhouse for a challenging and gruelling physical workout.
Meditation
Rugby’s own Nagarjuna Kadampa Centre for Modern Buddhism hold an introductory session
to meditation and how these mindful practices and techniques can be used in everyday life.
Middle Eastern Dance
Join Rugby School's resident Middle Eastern dance expert, Mrs Baker, for an invigorating and active session.
One Man Band
Spend an hour with the amazing pop musician Thom Kirkpatrick in this
hugely creative music workshop.
Parkour
Join JUMP Parkour, one of the oldest parkour organisations in the UK, for an
introductory session that’ll use our school’s environment in a new way.
Perspex Drawing
After gaining her degree in Visual Communication, Illustration at Loughborough University in 2001, Jessica has worked on a range of private and commercial commissions, but has recently returned to working full time as an artist and illustrator. This will be the second time we welcome Jessica to the TRR, after the huge success of our first ever Comic-Con back in 2019. Students will express emotions, explore identity and encourage positivity through art.
Piano Masterclass
Sit back and marvel at some of our top pianists being put through their paces by professional pianist, composer and OR Nathan Williamson.
Pins and Needles Puppetry
Pins and Needles Productions is an award-winning theatre company,
making imaginative work for a range of ages,
well known for their creative use of puppetry to tell stories. From giant polar
bears, to Chorus-lines of dancing penguins. From street-wise mice, to galloping
reindeers. Seeing a lifeless object begin to breathe, think and move is a
powerful thing. Join Pins and Needles for this Introduction
to Puppetry workshop where students will get the chance to work as a team to
animate puppets and build simple stories.
Pizza Time
Known as the best pizza maker in Warwickshire, Ergul Sahin (otherwise known as Mr.
Lazzolli) will teach you how to throw your own dough and the art of stone baked
pizzas. Devouring of pizza very much encouraged.
Political Art Installation with Eve Delaney
Eve is a professional artist and comedian, and combines the two through her
creation of provocative, political, and satirical collages. In this workshop
students will create a large-scale, site-specific piece, creating a big, multi-media
collage on a wall. focusing on the subject of mental health, and particularly
young people’s access to support and care in the UK.
Radio Broadcasting with Angela Lamont
With over 200 broadcast programmes and literally hundreds of conferences, award
ceremonies and live events under her belt, Angela Lamont specialises in
presenting science, technology and engineering. She has presented from BBC
Television Centre, Buckingham Palace, the top of a volcano in Japan and from a
fishing boat in a force 8 gale (whilst doing her own sound recording, as the
sound man was out of action below decks). Students will work with Angela to
create content for her radio show on Rugby Radio, to be broadcast the next day.
Raft-building
Head over to the pool for a raft-building challenge.
Royal Birmingham Conservatoire Leap Ensemble
This will be an experience to remember: an hour in the company of some of the country's finest young musicians alongside
some of Rugby School's own musical talent pool
Rollerskiing
Love skiing but don’t like the cold? Give rollerskiing a go with Rollerski Co Shop,
London’s biggest (and only...) snow-less cross-country skiing club.
Rugby Real Bread
Micro-bakery and marketplace stalwart Rugby Real Bread give students an
introduction to the intricate art of crumpet-making.
Rugby Unwrapped
Come along to this informal workshop by Rugby Unwrapped reduced-waste shop owners Clair and Sharon and find out more about fast fashion, greenwashing, food waste and single-use plastic (and how to avoid it), and contribute your ideas about how to make Rugby School cleaner, greener and kinder to the environment.
Science behind Wine
Taste is a form of art and nowhere is this more significant than in the wine
industry. This workshop will use techniques from the Chemistry course to
explore some of the Chemistry behind wine.
Screen Masterclass
Join screen director, writer and editor Will Kenning for an intensive screen masterclass
for actors, writers and directors alike.
Amongst his commercial work, Will’s recent short film, ‘Geoff’
made the 2019 BAFTA long-list and picked up Best Short & Best Director at
The SCAD Savannah Film Festival 2018, while ‘The Legend of Bob Leonard’ won
best British Short at Satisfied Eye Festival in 2018 and has been an official
selection at over 25 international festivals since May 2017.
Screen Printing
Join Mr Cuff and Mr Ryan for a screen printing class –
and walk away with your own t-shirt!
Sheep, spinning, suits and Saville Row
Do you want to learn about the process of turning wool into handcrafted items by
spinning and weaving, and see live demonstrations of this happening? Local
spinners and tailors will demonstrate the art of weaving on their looms and
wheels. Come and learn more about why wool is so wonderful - this will be a
tactile and colourful session with many surprises.
Slime
Create your different types of slime with our very own mad professor, Mr Dhanda.
Spanish Cooking Club
Join our resident Spanish chef, Ms Alonso, in making (and eating) some delish and authentic dishes.
Stand Up Comedy with Ken Cheng
An introduction to stand-up comedy!
In this workshop, Ken Cheng (star of BBC Radio
4's Chinese Comedian) will teach you how to go about writing your first
stand-up routine, as well as sharing insider tips that will demystify the world
of comedy.
Stop-Motion Animation
Learn about the history and workings of the animation process, animate yourselves,
model with plasticine and much more! The final film will be edited by Let’s
Animate’s professional stop-motion animator and uploaded to Youtube.
Sweet Art Patisserie
Stef at Rugby’s own Sweet Art Patisserie to learn how to decorate crazy and extravagant
cakes.
Sword Stage Combat
Professional screen and stage fight director Sam Kahn will be introducing students to the
art of rapier single sword combat for film, TV and stage.
Tesserae: Roman Mosaics
Students will look at various ancient mosaics for inspiration and spend the session
following their creative whims in crafting their own.
The Incredible Machine with Dr Robinson
In Dr Robinson’s imaginative science workshop, students build a machine to send a
signal around the room. Great fun, and a good test of creativity, observation,
ingenuity and team-work.
Tie Dye
Join Ms Kaur and Ms Hampson for a tie dye class –
and walk away with your own t-shirt!
Trampolining
Join professional coach Annette Parker for a trampolining session in the Old Gym.
Ukelele
Geoff Tooley’s Ukulele Workshop is open to any age and requires no previous knowledge
or skill! This workshop will cover basic beginner chords, strumming, and teach
you some popular songs. Bring your ukulele if you have one, or we can provide a
ukulele to borrow for the workshop.
Upcycling Vintage
Fresh from working with Zandra Rhodes, Burberry and Alexander McQueen, print
specialist and founder of brand Dilly Makes Emmally Parsons comes to Rugby to show
students how to sustainably source and upcycle second-hand clothing.
Watercolour Collaging with Eve Delaney
Eve is a professional artist and comedian, and combines the two through her
creation of provocative, political, and satirical collages. This workshop will
focus on depicting figures and human forms in watercolour, and then building a
collaged backdrop for them to live in. The hope is to develop painting
techniques, as well as think about the political nature of collage art, and the
importance it has a technique in art through history.
Wand Combat
Professional screen and stage fight director Sam Kahn shows us the ropes of
wand combat - this one’s for the Harry Potter fans!
What’s a Greek Urn?
View an interesting range of authentic vase designs from the 5th century BC, before
embarking on the creation of a design of your own. Mr Day's workshop is back by popular demand.
Why The One You Like Never Likes You Back with Dr Richard Robinson
Love is an irresistible desire to be irresistibly desired. That’s why we are so
willing, so often, to throw ourselves at it so completely. And that’s why it
goes so horribly wrong so horribly often. Richard’s talk reveals the science of
Murphy’s Laws of love, explaining the tricks our desperate minds pull when
trying to cope with loeurve, from the first stumbling steps to the throes of
full-blown obsession, when common sense flies out of the window.
Wildcard Gig Music Theatre
Ever seen a piece of Gig Theatre? Ever heard of Gig Theatre? Ever wondered what Gig Theatre actually means? In this workshop, Wildcard will explore this emerging genre and equip the participants with the knowledge and understanding of how to begin creating their own pieces of Gig Theatre. Skilled facilitators, trained in the company's WILD method, will share the distinctive creative process behind blending live music, song and spoken text to create a unique theatrical experience that celebrates the live event and has the power to change perceptions of what theatre can be.
Youth Activism
Join EDI campaigner Mariam Abdel-Razek for a provocative workshop on youth activism,
specifically focussing on how Rugby School students can make a change.
To view this list in combined ROUTES format please click here.
Practical hands-on workshops in a huge range of creative disciplines lie at the very heart of
The Festival on The Close
If your school would like to register interest in participating in our workshop programme free of charge, please email us in the first instance on [email protected] and we will contact you with more details. Alternatively, you can fill out the form below.
live on stage with pro or in one of our comedy improvisation workshops
with the astonishing physical theatre company MOTIONHOUSE or even try your hand at Morris Dancing
complex problems and puzzles and learn about the science of chocolate!
how to write a stand-up routine with professional comedians or poetry with one of country's leading writers
Whatever you choose, we think there will be something for children of all ages to enjoy as part of our extensive festival workshop programme celebrating creativity, culture and community.
If your school would like to register interest in participating in our workshop programme free of charge, please email us in the first instance on [email protected] and we will contact you with more details. Alternatively, you can fill out the form below.
ADDRESS:
Rugby School,
Rugby.
CV22 5EH
PHONE NUMBERS:
+44 (0) 1788 556 216
© Festival on The Close 2019