Stephen Joseph Theatre

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What will students see and do?

Stephen Joseph Theatre offers a unique, intimate experience in its renowned theatre-in-the-round, as well as a more traditional end-on McCarthy theatre and cinema.

The theatre has a rich history. In 1955, theatrical pioneer Stephen Joseph established the country’s first theatre-in-the-round on the first floor of Scarborough Library. Stephen’s protégé, Alan Ayckbourn, was appointed artistic director in 1972 and went on to premiere 239 plays by 87 writers. The theatre continued to flourish, taking over the former Scarborough Boys’ High School in 1976, then the local Odeon cinema in 1988. The new theatre boasted two technical innovations: the stage lift, facilitating speedy set changes, and the ‘trampoline’ mesh above the stage, which allows technicians easy access to the lighting grid.

Today, Stephen Joseph Theatre has an extensive and cross-generational programme of outreach work that it does with, in and for the local community. This work encourages students to engage with the Stephen Joseph Theatre through projects, courses, classes and work experience.

How does the trip link to the curriculum?

Stephen Joseph Theatre’s OutReach department is committed to working with local schools within its community. These projects are always unique to the school, so the theatre encourages you to get in contact to organise a bespoke collaboration between its staff and your students.

For instance, Stephen Joseph Theatre worked with St Peter’s school in Scarborough to run a series of fun Shakespeare workshops led by OutReach practitioner Ernest Acquah that went down a storm with pupils. The school was overwhelmed by how much impact the sessions had on the young people’s confidence, engagement and the work they produced after being inspired by the workshops, including some excellent written Shakespeare literacy work.

Subjects covered

Drama

History

Music

Teaching resources provided

Get in touch with the team to discuss the kind of teaching resources they can provide.

Minimum and maximum group size

No limit stated – get in touch to discuss.

Details of risk assessment

Get in contact to request.

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Facilities on-site

The Stephen Joseph Theatre hosts the Eat Me café on the first floor, offering an eclectic mix of British and Asian food, daily specials, cocktails, craft beer and more; as well as a shop run by a cooperative of local artisans selling a wide range of cards and hand-crafted gifts.