The very popular Improv Gym is back with a full course for Autumn 2025. Learn the skills of spontaneity and skilful scene craft in a fun and supportive environment helping you take your performance skills to the next level. Enjoy playing and improvising with a wide range of creative people and create an improvised show that will be staged at Friargate Theatre. Places are limited, so book early to avoid disappointment. This course is perfect for beginners new to improv as well as more experienced improvisers.

So, you have an idea for a play, you’ve written a new script, or you’ve shared something at a scratch night that you now want to take further, but you’re left thinking ‘how’? Well, that’s exactly where Next Door But One started 12 years ago. Now drawing on their experience in award-winning, community-led theatre, you can gain hands-on skills in project planning, fundraising, budgeting, audience development, people management, and production logistics. Through a step-by-step framework and peer-to-peer learning, you'll leave with a practical action plan to support your next steps and apply to your own ideas. Perfect for emerging producers as well as theatre-makers and writers interested in self-producing their own work. *Please note there will not be a session on 22nd October

Enjoy a new way to improvise comedy. This five-week course is for those with improv experience and will focus on learning how to create, practise and enjoy making the infamous ‘Harold’ long-form. Master group scenes and games, as well as creating three distinct Improv worlds and stories all connected by the same initial theme or idea. The perfect course for you to begin to find and create your own improv team or ensemble.. Places are limited so book early to avoid disappointment.

Master the Art of Theatrical Control in 5 Weeks. Ready to take full control of your show's technical world? Whether you're a solo theatre-maker, part of a small company, or heading out on your own – this hands-on 5-week course will teach you how to use QLab to seamlessly run sound, lighting, and video from a single, powerful platform. From first cue to final blackout, you’ll learn how to design, program, and operate QLab like a pro – giving you the confidence and skills to bring your creative vision to life. Perfect for: • Independent theatre-makers. • Touring artists. • Small companies looking to streamline tech. • Anyone wanting to make a show look and sound big on a budget.