Everyone is welcome at a Forest Forge session, but we know that joining a new club or activity can sometimes feel daunting.
Here we answer some frequently asked questions about what you can expect when you join Forest Forge…
What is Forest Forge all about?
Forest Forge is a professional theatre company based in Ringwood. We create touring theatre performances, support emerging and professional artists and deliver theatre-making workshops for all ages.
If you’re interested in theatre, performance or just making friends, building confidence or having fun – it’s likely we have an activity that you will enjoy!
Who are sessions for?
Everyone!
For children aged 7 – 12 we have our Saturday Morning Drama Clubs. Youth Theatre is open to young people aged 13 – 18 and for adults we have Game and Act Your Age (aged 55+). We also have Wordsmiths, creative writing sessions for young people and adults. Our Branching Out sessions are for adults with a learning disability. We even have sessions for children and young people on the Waterside.
You can find out more on this page of our website https://forestforgetheatre.co.uk/take-part/
What happens in a session?
All sorts of creative things! If we are not in rehearsals then expect exercises on all aspects of theatre from character, story, writing, devising and physical theatre; to puppetry, stage combat, scripts, improvisation; and more! Our theatre practitioners have a wide range of skills and we love to explore as much creativity as possible. Something that is very important to us is that we approach everything though play.
Games are the bedrock of our work, and you should expect to be playing from the moment you step into the room – whether it’s our firm favourite ‘four-square’, keepy uppy, team games, word games, competitive or ridiculous. We ensure that the games are appropriate for the session – so our writers groups play with words with the same joy that our youth theatre throw balls! We believe that the way that we full heartedly play together is the reason why such great friendships are made, the boundless creativity of our participants is unlocked, and when you see a show -how professional, trusting and collaborative our casts are together.
How long are the sessions?
The sessions vary in length, from 1 hour for Game to 2 hours for Youth Theatre Group 5. Most other sessions are around an hour and a half.
What is ensemble theatre?
For us, ensemble theatre is about equality and how the whole group works together to make theatre. While we are passionate about developing individuals, the theatre we make focusses on a cast telling a story rather than lead roles or focussing on one or two actors. It is also important to us that the whole team are involved in the creation – so we place equal weight on all aspect of theatre makers – from directors, designers, writers and our wonderful assistants. When we put on a show we want the audience to see the result of the most amazing team work. All this is practiced in our regular sessions with teamwork, sharing creative ideas, working with different people each week, and of course or beloved games!
Do I need to have any experience?
No! Everyone is welcome whether they have performed or written recently or if this is their first time. It’s all about the process and fun and not at all about what you’ve done before!
My child struggles to make friends and is anxious about joining in. Will they enjoy it?
We hope so.
Our sessions are very welcoming and we are told by parents that their children are transformed by the experience of joining. We often hear that people ‘find their tribe’ at Forest Forge. It might be that your child doesn’t struggle to make friends, they just haven’t found the people they’re able to be themselves with yet.
All of our groups with children and young people have an assistant as well as the leader, and they are on hand to support and encourage anyone who is worried.
Do you accept people who are neurodiverse?
We believe difference is important and diversity should be valued. We make sure that everyone who comes to any of our groups is welcomed as who they are and where they are in life. You might have a child with ADHD, a teenager who is non-binary or be an adult with anxiety. In any and all cases you are welcome to our groups and will be respected for who you are.
Can I sit in on a session?
We are afraid not. We know that many of our parent are curious to know what happened in sessions however, we know that if there are people in the room who are not part of the team it changes how the group work. That’s what our regular shows and sharing’s are for – for you to see the result of the work they have been doing. We encourage all our participants and families to come and see any of the work that we are performing – its gives you an excellent insight into how the other groups work and what kind of theatre we make.
If you are a support worker or a carer for a participant of Branching Out, we encourage you to stay in our kitchen area during the session.
Do I have to perform?
Not at all. Our groups do work towards one main performance each year plus festivals and street theatre events, but there is no pressure for everyone to perform. We offer other options including helping to design the set, assisting the director or running the tech – which may include learning about lights and sound.
I want to be an actor. Will joining help?
All actors have to start somewhere and the experience you gain at Forest Forge will be useful. We have supported many young people and youth theatre members with their successful applications to drama school and acting degrees at university.
Our approach is all about ensemble theatre and telling stories and so are aim is not solely on producing future actors. For us, the experience of the group and the outcome is more important than building on one person’s skills or pushing one person to the front. Even the strongest actors have to learn to share the limelight though, so these are all useful skills for your future career.
Can I do a trial?
Of course!! We understand that for most people walking into a new room with new people for the first time can be pretty daunting. If you are not sure after the first session, we suggest that you give it another trial before you make a decision, the second time you come it can feel much more familiar and comfortable! You can do a trial at any time in the term, and we will adjust the fee accordingly. If after a couple of sessions, you don’t want to join, we won’t charge you – it’s on us!
Where do sessions take place?
All our Ringwood sessions take place at our base:
First Floor, Pintail House
Duck Island Lane
Ringwood, BH24 3AA
We are on the first floor and are currently fundraising for a stair lift. If you struggle with stairs, please let us know and we will do all we can to help.
We have a kitchen area for re-filling water bottles (and Act Your Age members get tea and biscuits!).
There are two gender neutral toilets.
We have limited parking around the back of the building, and the area to the front of the building is private parking so please don’t park there. If it is a daytime session, we encourage people to park in town and walk along the Bickerley to get to us. There is a path right next to us to the Bickerley Road.
How much does it cost?
Forest Forge is a registered charity, and we do our best to keep our fees as low as possible.
Each session has a slightly different price, and details can be found on the What’s On page of our website. Our youth theatre is around 50% less than commercial stage schools in the area.
Some of our workshops (Game and Branching Out) can be paid for on the day by cash and card. All other sessions are payable by BACS at the start of the term. A term lasts 10 sessions.
We have a Youth Theatre Bursary scheme available for anyone who might experience problems in meeting the fee. Please contact Jo@forestforgetheatre.co.uk for further information and a confidential chat.
There are no hidden fees. Any member / parent who feels able is give the opportunity to support productions (1 per year) via a donation when the group is working towards a show. There is no obligation on anyone to make a donation.
Friends and family of our participants are encouraged to come to buy tickets for performances, which are usually priced around £12 – £15.
When can I start?
Anytime! Unless we are at the very end of a rehearsal process, we welcome new people all year.