Discovery Workshops
Our new Discovery Workshops are a series of one-off events that are designed to give members of our local community the opportunity to “come-and-try” a participatory session for a day.
Taking place at Garsington Studios, there will be something for everyone. From performance, to stage management and video production, these sessions will give a variety of options to have a go and discover the world of opera!
Sing, Act, Perform
Experience the community, fun and collaborative feel of being in an opera. You will form your own company for the day working with Garsington artists on movement, singing, drama, performance techniques and more. An opportunity to learn sections from current productions and find out more about the opportunities available for young people at Garsington.
Date: Sunday 17 May 2026
Time: 10.30am – 3.30pm
Location: Garsington Studios
Age: 11 – 18 (Year 7 to 13)
Free workshop
Stage-a-Chorus
Join us for a day as we learn and stage a chorus scene from Verdi’s La traviata.
Whether you’re a come-and-sing aficionado or have never read music before, everyone is welcome to channel their inner performer and feel what it’s like to be in an opera chorus alongside professional soloists. Held at Garsington Studios where all our productions come to life.
Date: Saturday 13 June 2026
Time: 10am – 3.30pm
Location: Garsington Studios
Age: 18 +
Free workshop
Dance in Opera – Family workshop
Does your child love to move? Led by leading choreographers, this fun and engaging workshop invites you to dance together while exploring the world of opera. In this family workshop, you’ll discover how stories can be told through movement, while your child develops coordination, creative thinking and performance skills.
Date: Sunday 18 October 2026
Time: 11.30am – 12.30pm
Location: Garsington Studios
Age: A family workshop for ages 5 – 11 (Years 2 to 6)
Free workshop
Dance in Opera – Young dancers aged 11 – 18
We are looking for young dancers with enthusiasm, passion and a love for performance. This workshop is a chance to explore storytelling through dance with a leading movement director and choreographer.
The workshop will involve:
- Developing dance, storytelling and performance skills
- Understanding the role of dance and movement within an opera
- An opportunity to learn and create movement based on a Garsington Opera
- Dancing as a ensemble
Date: Sunday 18 October 2026
Time: 1pm – 4.30pm
Location: Garsington Studios
Age: 11 – 18 (Year 7 to 13)
Free workshop
GO Backstage – Adults
Exploring how backstage teams support a production isn’t just for young people. Whether you’re considering a career change or simply curious about the skills involved offstage, this workshop offers a great opportunity to discover what happens behind the scenes. This GO Backstage workshop is the ideal taster session for adults aged 21+ who want to learn more about the vital roles that bring a production to life.
Spend the evening with our expert practitioners and explore three key backstage disciplines:
- Costume
- Wigs, Hair & Make‑Up
- Lighting & Stage Management
You’ll gain practical insight into all three backstage crafts in a single evening, giving you a broad overview of the creative and technical work beyond the spotlight.
Date: Wednesday 18 November 2026
Time: Evening workshop. Timings will be announced at a later date.
Location: Garsington Studios
Age: 21+
Free workshop
GO Backstage – Young people
This GO Backstage workshop is a great taster session for young people who are curious about what goes on behind the scenes. It offers a brilliant introduction to the wide range of creative and technical career opportunities in opera and theatre, and gives participants a chance to discover the skills that bring performances to life.
There are four different backstage areas to choose from:
- Costume / Wardrobe
- Wigs, Hair & Make-Up
- Props
- Stage Management
Date: Saturday 21 November 2026
Time: 10am – 5pm
Location: Garsington Studios
Age: 13 – 21 (those aged 13 must be in Year 9)
Free workshop
If you are interested in lighting, please sign up for the Stage & Lighting Design Discovery Workshop
Stage & Lighting Design – Family workshop
Come together to explore theatre design with professionals from the industry.
Led by a professional theatre and lighting designer, parents/guardians and children will be given the opportunity to craft their own prop and experiment with lighting.
Date: Saturday 23 January 2027
Time: 11am – 12.30pm
Location: Garsington Studios
Age: 5 – 11 (Years 2 to 6)
Free workshop
Stage & Lighting Design – young people aged 11 – 18
Led by professional theatre and lighting designers, this workshop will take you through some of the processes used when designing a show. You’ll learn and put into practice techniques that help bring stories to life on stage.
Date: Saturday 23 January 2027
Time: 1.30pm – 4.30pm
Location: Garsington Opera
Age: 11 – 18 (Year 7 to 13)
Free workshop
Stage-a-Chorus
Join us for a day as we learn and stage a chorus scene from an opera.
Whether you’re a come-and-sing aficionado or have never read music before, everyone is welcome to channel their inner performer and feel what it’s like to be in an opera chorus alongside professional soloists. Held at Garsington Studios where all our productions come to life.
Date: Saturday 30 January 2027
Time: 10am – 3.30pm
Location: Garsington Studios
Age: 18 +
Free workshop
Sing, Act, Perform
Experience the community, fun and collaborative feel of being in an opera. You will form your own company for the day working with Garsington artists on movement, singing, drama, performance techniques and more. An opportunity to learn sections from current productions and find out more about the opportunities available for young people at Garsington.
Date: Sunday 16 May 2027
Time: 10.15am – 3.30pm
Location: Garsington Studios
Age: 11 – 18 (Year 7 to 13)
Free workshop