Join us!
Be part of classes and a production run by a professional theatre company with a love of fostering young talent. You’ll learn how to act, sing and dance, as well helping with costumes, set and props.
Not sure if it’s for you? Have a FREE trial session!
Saturdays at Harwell Village Halls.
| Group | Age* | Time | Price** |
| Micros | 5&6 | 10.15am (until 11:15) | £60 (or £6 drop in) |
| Minis | 7&8 | 11:30am (until 13:15) | £114 |
| Midis | 9-11 | 10am (until 12:30) | £204 |
| Maxis | 12-20 | 10am (until 12:30) | £204 |
*Ages are approximate. Not everyone can do everything at the same age and that’s ok. Which group a child is in will be based on various factors, decided in discussion with parents and from experience at taster sessions.
**Price is per full term, in which there are usually 12 sessions. If you need to pay more often, this can be done by arrangement. We also believe the arts should be open to everyone and offer a tiered pricing structure to help support this:
- Under £50,000 10% discount
- Under £40,000 30% discount
- Under £30,000 50% discount
- Under £20,000 70% discount
Proof of income will be required
New members always welcome, including throughout the term. No experience needed.
Sessions take place on Saturday mornings and work towards a production in July (not for the Micro group). For regular sessions everyone is divided into their groups, largely based on age, with the younger ones together and the older ones working together. However as the production gets nearer, groups often change to accommodate those who need to work jointly to be together.
Why are we trying to be different?
We don’t claim to be any bigger or better than any other youth theatres out there. Just different. And there are plenty of youth theatre groups out there but GoboTheatre is trying to break the mould by creating a group that is open to all so that everyone, from any background, can have the opportunity to experience being involved. We offer subsidies because we believe that the ‘soft’ skills that the performing arts teaches are essential for anyone to learn as they are so useful in all areas of life. Problem-solving, creativity, team work and confidence are vital to any workplace, home or social situation so we’re trying to ensure that these opportunities are an option for everyone.
We try to teach in an enabling way, using rehearsal techniques and games that give students transferable skills so they are using the theatre to take away life-long qualities. We like to focus on the people we have and work with who is there rather than creating a sausage-factory of shows – each individual has their moment and role and we adapt shows to fit the people and their skills and passions. This is also one of the reason we like to work with not only onstage elements too – so they can see the whole and how important every aspect is.
We use professional tutors from the industry to give them a different experience from something they might get at school. This means they use exercises and techniques that are all part of professional performer’s rehearsals and “toolkits” – something that once learnt can be drawn on again and again.
We hope as well as all of that “worthy” stuff they also have a fab time! Make new friends, have lots of laughs and enjoy putting on a great show!
What people say about GoboYOOF
…engaging, fun and informative…clear and motivating…challenged me intellectually and creatively and always encouraged me to push myself in order for me to reach my full potential.” – Student
The confidence that working with Gobo gives our students has a positive impact on their classroom work – both in terms of working with others and the standard of performance” – Wheatley Park School
We try to deliver is an experience for young people that is as close as possible to what it can be like working on a professional small-scale show (the type of show our older actors tour) – that’s everyone working together to create a production, not stars and those in the background, everybody has input into the creative ideas that make up the whole show. Equally, this certainly isn’t just for people who want to pursue the theatrical lifestyle; we want our participants to come away with a whole range of skills that will help them build their futures, whatever that may be. All students receive equal attention as they build on their individual talents. GoboYOOF! is all about creating something together, having fun and learning ideas and processes that can be used again and again both in theatre and the wider world.
Experience a rehearsal room, not a class room.
All tutors are CRB checked and we have safeguarding, health & safety and first aid policies in place. Chaperones are required to attend our performances.
ACT.DANCE.SING.BUILD.CREATE.DESIGN.
Gobo recording Aesop’s Fables at BBC Radio Oxford
Exciting Experiences
Sometimes we get some great opportunities for our youngsters to try something different. In 2015 our GoboYOOF cast recorded a radio play based on Aesop’s Fables, which was broadcast by BBC Radio Oxford.
Listen to part one on Facebook
Free Trial Session
If you’re interested in a free trial session, please fill in the form below and we get in touch as soon as we can to arrange a session.