Registration now open for world’s largest annual youth drama festival

Registration is now open for Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation’s Theatre Festival, where thousands of children are invited to perform 30-minute abridged Shakespeare plays on stages across the UK. 

For the first time, Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation (CSSF) is running the festival over two school terms, with performances taking place during Autumn 2022 and Spring 2023. 

CSSF will work with participating schools throughout the festival process, providing logistical support such as scripts, curriculum resources, in-person CPD training, workshops and teacher support. 

Ruth Brock, managing director of CSSF, said: ‘the theatre festival gives thousands of children and young people from every background, community and school type the opportunity to be creative, be inspired, and be together – things that children need more than ever right now. 

‘From school refusers whose attendance soars, reluctant readers who seek out the full texts in their school library, to autistic young people who understand more about social interaction; we know the festival has the power to change lives every year.

‘We can’t wait to see schools’ creative interpretations of Shakespeare come to life, bringing joy to local communities and giving children and young people confidence and skills to last a lifetime.’

Hannah Henson, a teacher at Beecroft Garden Primary School in Lewisham said: ‘Our school has taken part in the festival every year since 2016 and the children absolutely love it – it’s the big school event that gets talked about the most. It’s incredible to think how far some of the students have come.’

www.shakespeareschools.org