As we continue our 140th celebrations, we would love to invite you to our second Open Day here at the theatre this summer on Saturday 26th July 11am-4pm. We are flinging our doors open to you all once again and hosting a special day packed full of completely FREE entertainment, workshops, talks, arts and crafts, facepainting, theatre tours and many other exciting activities suitable for all ages. Everyone is welcome!
Below is a list of all that is on offer and there is an opportunity to sign up early to some of these fantastic events. We advise you to book in advance for some free activities as capacity is limited, but you are welcome to just turn up on the day as there will be an allocation available for walk-ups. There will also be an opportunity to book tickets for our legendary panto, and we will have an exclusive discount available for the duration of the Open Day.
Come and help us celebrate Stratford East's 140th year - the more the merrier!
Have a look at the line-up for the day and you’ll see an opportunity to book your place on activities where numbers are limited.
WORKSHOPS
LISA SPIRLING - AUDITION TECHNIQUE
Suitable for ages 18+. Time: 12pm-1pm
An exciting opportunity to meet and be guided by Stratford East’s Artistic Director Lisa Spirling. She will be teaming up with a Casting Director (to be announced shortly) to deliver this workshop for you. Together they will give you tips and techniques to work on confidence, audition preparation and tackling a script, and you will work together as a group to explore how to tackle the audition room. You are welcome no matter where you are on your acting journey.
Please bring a paper extract from a character that you've always wanted to play (if two characters are in the scene please bring two copies), there will also be a range of scenes, characters and extracts printed out on the day to dive into if you'd prefer. We'll strive to cater the workshop to your individual access needs - please let us know what helps you.
Places are limited, so please book your place here.
JADE LEWIS - MAKING WORK FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES
Suitable for ages 18+. Time: 1.15pm-2.15pm
For creatives who are interested in making work for younger audiences, come to our practical and conversational workshop led by Stewart Melton and our brilliant new Associate Artistic Director Jade Lewis. Recalling our own theatrical experiences as young people, the group will examine and explore what making work for younger audiences can look, sound and feel like.
Jade Lewis's credits include Astro Babies (Ovalhouse), Teddies and Blankets (CSSD/ Tour), Get Dressed (Unicorn Theatre), A Tale of Us (UK tour).
Stewart Melton's credits for young audiences include as writer, Seesaw (Unicorn Theatre) and Phoenix and Turtle (Little Angel Theatre/ Tour); and as dramaturg, Astro Babies (Ovalhouse), Get Dressed (Unicorn Theatre) and The Ugly Duckling Christmas Special (The Herd/ Hull Truck).
Places are limited, so please book your space here.
CARO PARKER - BSL IN THEATRE
Suitable for all ages. Time: 2.30pm-3.30pm
Deaf actress Caro Parker has signed her way across stage and screen and is here to help us communicate more with deaf people and be aware that sign language is not just words but feelings, and humour too. In this workshop she will be encouraging people to learn some BSL signs that deaf creatives use within the theatre on a usual working day. Everyone is welcome!
Places are limited, so please book your space here.
COMEDY FOR KIDS
Suitable for ages 9-12 years. Time: 11.30am-1pm
Run by professional comedians, Hilarity Academy are here to share their love for comedy and laughter. Between them they’ve worked with young people in a range of educational and arts environments and are bringing their passion and knowledge of comedy to our theatre. This session has a variety of options to get involved with and focusses on different aspects of comedy performance including sketch, stand-up, clowning and improvisation. Kids deserve to have FUN and they are here to provide just that!
Places are limited, so please book your space here.
RUSSENÏ FISHER – SPOKEN WORD WORKSHOP
Suitable for ages 16-25. Time: 1pm-2.30pm
Followed by a sharing onstage for those who wish to participate.
A spoken word and creative writing session focused on the past, present, and future: ‘140 Years of Stratford East’. The session will culminate in an open mic sharing on the iconic main stage. Come along to document and share your connection to a theatre built to showcase the people – with Russenï.
Russenï is an explosive actor, poet, facilitator, and one-of-a-kind host known for his distinctive performance abilities. He has delivered work across major venues including the Olympic Park, Southbank, and Lovebox Festival, and recently won the 2024 Drama Inspiration Award for his work in the theatre and education sectors, particularly with at-risk and vulnerable young people. As a long-time collaborator with London Bubble Theatre and Lyric Hammersmith, he brings his passion for storytelling, spoken word, and community to every space he enters.
Places are limited, so please book your space here.
STAGE COMBAT
Suitable for ages 9 years and up. Time: 12pm-1.30pm
Curious how those epic movie fight scenes come to life? Step into the thrilling world of stage combat with our high-energy Fight It Out workshop! Led by actor, director, and fight performer Riad Richie, you’ll learn how to craft realistic (and totally safe) fight sequences, complete with dramatic flair and just the right amount of gore. From clever choreography to a final, music-backed battle, this workshop is all about creativity, fun, and getting stuck in. Everyone’s welcome, especially kids and grown-ups ready to face off! We’ll even film the grand finale so you can proudly share your new combat skills with friends and family. Ready to throw down (safely)? Let the (staged) fight begin!
Places are limited, so please book your space here.
BISMARK ANOBAH - STREET DANCE WORKSHOP
Suitable for ages 16+. Time: 1.45pm-3pm
Followed by a sharing onstage for those who wish to participate.
As part of our Open Day celebrations, we’re thrilled to present this workshop led by the incredible Bismark, a highly skilled dancer and choreographer from East London with over 20 years of teaching experience. Bismark will be here with a ROMEO & JULIET inspired routine (our upcoming community production this summer) that fuses storytelling with street dance energy. His impressive performance credits include the Queen’s Jubilee, Brit Awards, Wireless Festival, and collaborations with artists like Giggs and Lethal Bizzle and he appears in the musical film Wicked. As an educator, he has worked with renowned organisations such as Sadler’s Wells, Kingston University, Rich Mix, and the Redbridge Drama Centre, always passionate about empowering the next generation of creatives. This is a fantastic chance to learn from one of the best in the industry and there will be an opportunity to perform the piece you learned on our beautiful stage. Everyone is welcome, just bring your energy and enthusiasm!
Places are limited, so please book your space here.
ACTIVITIES
No need to book, just come along.
DRAG QUEEN STORY TIME WITH THAT GIRL
Everyone welcome. Time: 2pm-2.45pm
We are delighted to welcome the hugely talented That Girl to our theatre where she will be hosting a family friendly session of interactive storytelling and songs. In 2023, That Girl won the Pink News Drag Artist of the Year after her storytelling sessions in South-East London were protested by anti-drag groups, she is also a bestselling author and award nominated theatre maker. Step into a world of imagination as we bring you enchanting tales and vibrant characters in a welcoming, inclusive space for children of all ages. Don’t miss this magical experience the whole family will love!
No need to book - just turn up and join in!
PUPPETRY WORKSHOP
All ages welcome
Make a Scarf Marionette with Puppetry Designer Alicia Britt! The talented Alicia is a Puppeteer and Puppet maker, graduate of Curious School of Puppetry and currently touring with the Norwich Puppet Theatre production, Puffling Percy. She is a scholar of the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust, training under Lyndie Wright, co-founder of Little Angel Theatre in the endangered craft of British Marionette making. During the workshop you will have the chance to make, create and take home your very own marionette!
This is a family drop-in workshop running all day with groups taking turns throughout, so everyone gets a go. No need to book, just turn up on the day.
ALL DAY FACEPAINTING
All ages welcome
This time we will have TWO face painters in the theatre ALL DAY ready and poised to decorate your face with a range of creative designs. Everyone welcome - just turn up on the day.
PERFORMANCES/SHARINGS
Community Choir - performing onstage at 1pm
Our fabulous choir who are part of the upcoming show ROMEO & JULIET here at Stratford East will be performing at the Open Day to give you a taster of what's to come.
Russenï Fisher’s spoken word workshop group - performing onstage at 2.45pm
Bismark Anobah’s street dance workshop group - performing onstage at 3pm
Please take a seat in the auditorium and enjoy!
HERITAGE TOURS
Suitable for all ages
Interested in the theatre and how it all began? Want to experience what it feels like to stand on stage or ever wondered where the actors hang out between scenes? There will be three tours throughout the day which will take you on a journey behind the scenes so you can get a glimpse into how we create our outstanding shows and discover the rich history of our much-treasured theatre. In addition, you will be able to experience the newly unveiled and refreshed images on our theatre walls, showcasing the rich history of Stratford East productions providing visitors with a visual journey through our most memorable moments.
Tours leave from the foyer at 11am, 12pm, 1pm and 3pm.
The tour at 1pm will be accompanied by actress Caro Parker who will be teaching some BSL signs along the way.
RAFFLE
We will be selling raffle tickets throughout the day for a chance to win some exciting prizes. Winners will be announced in the auditorium at 4pm.
Lisa Spirling, our Artistic Director says:
"This summer the Stratford East family invites you to a very special open day in celebration of our theatre being 140 years old this year. We're opening the doors, welcoming you in for an extraordinary free day out for all ages. This is your chance to see behind the scenes of this iconic theatre, to take part in workshops including stage fighting, puppetry and story-telling, and to watch brilliant performers throughout the day. It's free, it's fun and we can't wait to share it with you."
If you have any questions about anything that’s on offer, please contact us on openday@stratfordeast.com
We are delighted to say that this day has been made possible thanks to the generosity of the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
