2026
Punk Rock
Punk Rock · 2026
Photography: Brad Wendes and Tilly Swan
Select a photo to see the full image.
By Simon Stephens
A Stage Craft @ production.
Adult acting classes · Colchester · 18+
Find your
play
Find your people.
Try something new. Go deeper into your craft. Make theatre with people who love it as much as you do.
Beginners to professionals. Everyone has a place.
A little courage.
A lot of play.
A lot of play.
Real people. Shared curiosity. Stage Craft @.
5 WEEKS TO EXPLORE✳2.5 HOURS EACH SESSION✳FIVE-WEEK BLOCK BOOKINGS✳YOUR LOCAL CREATIVE COMMUNITY
Your next act
Three groups.
Room to grow.
Choose the day and topic that speak to you. Each group explores a different area of acting, with future topics shaped by its participants.
Booking and payment take place on Ticket Tailor. Choose a standard Place or an optional Benefactor ticket to support Play it Forward. Check the final total and any donation before paying. Need a hand choosing?
Cancellation policy: Cancellations made at least 48 hours before the first class of your five-week block receive a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable. Contact Richard to cancel your booking.
A craft with no finish line.
Whether this is your first acting class or you already work professionally, there is always something new to discover. Practical training, shared exploration and a welcoming group give you space to keep developing.
A taste of what we explore across different blocks
ImprovisationShakespearePhysical theatreScene studyAudition techniqueLabanStanislavskiAmerican realism
From the rehearsal room to the stage.
More than a weekly class
A community.
A creative home.
For three years, Stage Craft @ has brought local performers together to learn, make work and share the experience.
01
Make something together
Develop new writing and original pieces, with support for budding artists and playwrights. Some work grows into production-ready performance.
02
Step into the spotlight
Performance opportunities throughout the year, from full productions to monologue and duologue slams and scratch nights.
03
Something a little special
Occasional guest sessions with industry professionals open up new areas to explore, including screen acting, verbatim theatre and puppetry. Ask Richard about upcoming guest sessions.
04
Keep the conversation going
Social events, ticket offers and a newsletter connect the community beyond the class. Ask Richard about getting involved.
Made by our community
From first idea
to opening night.
Classes are just the beginning. Discover the productions, new writing and performance nights our members bring to life.
STAGE CRAFT @ PRESENTSAn
DECEMBER 2026 · COLCHESTER LIBRARY
An
Xmas
Carol.
DECEMBER 2026 · COLCHESTER LIBRARYCURRENT PRODUCTION · DECEMBER 2026A Christmas classic.
A Christmas classic.
A modern Scrooge.
An Xmas Carol is a modern adaptation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, written by Richard Bland and directed by Stage Craft @ member Kerry Gullen.
Meet Emily Scrooge: a crypto-obsessed CEO whose world is about to get a supernatural wake-up call. A contemporary take on a familiar festive story.
Wednesday 9 December 2026 · 7:30–9:30pm
Colchester Library, CO1 1JB
See Ticket Tailor for current availability, prices and booking details.
Past productions & performance.
2026
Our Country’s Good
Our Country’s Good · 2026
Photography: Brad Wendes
Select a photo to see the full image.
A Stage Craft @ production.
2025
The Clacton Three
The Clacton Three · 2025
Photography: Tilly Swan
Select a photo to see the full image.
By Sarah Baxter
Original writing from a Stage Craft @ member.
2025 · SUPPORTED LAUNCH
Toilet Monologues
By Wendy James
Stage Craft @ helped launch this work by one of our members.
2024
The Adventures of Princess Millie
The Adventures of Princess Millie · 2024
Photography: Tilly Swan
Select a photo to see the full image.
By Tim Strugnell
A production written by a Stage Craft @ member.
PERFORMANCE NIGHTS
Small stages.
Big moments.
Two monologue slams · One duologue slam
Opportunities for members to share their work in solo and paired performance.
Made by the people in the room. Tim Strugnell, Sarah Baxter, Wendy James and Kerry Gullen are all Stage Craft @ members. Our community creates opportunities to write, direct and bring new work to an audience.
Meet your trainer
Richard Bland.
Professional director. Actor trainer. Your guide in the rehearsal room.
Richard leads every Stage Craft @ group, bringing professional training into an approachable, practical setting. Classes make room for both first steps and fresh challenges, with topics chosen alongside the people taking part.
BA in ActingGuildford School of Acting
MA in Drama DirectingBristol Old Vic Theatre School
Members have gone on to develop their work in community and professional theatre. Every journey starts somewhere.
Explore Richard’s workPlay it Forward
Talent isn’t
about what
you can afford.
Money should never be the reason you cannot take part. Stage Craft @ never turns anyone away on financial grounds.
Our Play it Forward fund helps cover all or part of a place for people experiencing financial difficulty. Contributions and support arrangements are kept anonymous within the community.
A little extra. A place for someone.
If you can give more, choose one of the Benefactor ticket options when booking through Ticket Tailor. Your extra contribution helps another person join in.
Choose a class & play it forwardNeed a little support?
Get in touch with Richard for a private conversation about a funded or part-funded place.
Ask privately about support →Giving is optional. Receiving support is confidential.
Before you take the leap
A few useful answers.
Do I need any acting experience?
No. Classes welcome adults aged 18 and over, from complete beginners to professionals. If you are unsure which topic or group to choose, ask Richard.
What does a block include?
Five weekly classes, each lasting 2.5 hours, exploring the group’s chosen topic. Each group’s current price and booking fee are shown above and on Ticket Tailor. Classes are booked as a five-week block.
Are the venues accessible?
Pilgrim Centre, used for Saturday classes, is fully accessible according to the organiser. Tree Rooms Yoga Studio, used on Sunday and Monday, does not have wheelchair access. Contact Richard about your specific access needs before booking.
Can I get help with the cost?
Yes. Play it Forward can fund or part-fund places for people experiencing financial difficulty. Contact Richard privately to discuss support. Stage Craft @ never turns anyone away on financial grounds.
How do I support Play it Forward?
Choose an optional Benefactor ticket on Ticket Tailor when booking your block. It includes your place and an additional contribution to the fund. Review your ticket choice, any separate donation and the final total before paying.
What is the cancellation policy?
Cancellations made at least 48 hours before the first class of your five-week block receive a full refund. Later cancellations are non-refundable. Email Richard to cancel your booking.
What should I know before booking?
Check your selected group’s current dates, topic, venue, total price and organiser’s booking terms on Ticket Tailor. For questions about missed classes, cancellations or suitability, contact Richard before paying.
Let’s get acting
Your next act starts here.
A question, an idea, or a little reassurance before you book? Richard would love to hear from you.