abop
ABOUT
Artistically ambitious, and performance led, ABOP is driven to provide unique and extraordinary opportunities for young people to perform work across all genres. From Promenade and Site Specific Shows to Musical Theatre and Drama Productions, and Fringe Festivals.
ABOP offers young people an opportunity to engage with Theatre and Performance Art through a varied and extensive programme of performance projects, classes and educational workshops. Designed for those who wish to connect on a more intensive level ABOP is a creative hub where there are no limitations of what can be developed or produced, and where staff are always accessible. A place where every young artist with a passion for Theatre and a desire to be creative can be immersed in the arts throughout the period of their formal education.
What We Do
Formal training and performance opportunities (Associate Programme) forgifted and talented performers wishing to develop a career in Theatre.
Youth Theatre.
Musical Theatre.
Educational classes in the Performing Arts for Home Educated students.
Day Projects supporting the National Curriculum.
Projects to celebrate female stories.
Touring Production opportunities.
Master Classes: Related Arts: Dance, Drama, Singing, Music.
Fringe Festivals.
Who We Work With: Students
ABOP students work with young people aged between 7 and 25 years. Where relevant programmes run on the same trajectory as educational establishments, making certain that young performers, while being challenged, engage with age appropriate Theatre work.
abop students come from various backgrounds and are either recommended by:
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Their Dance or Drama Academy.
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A Member of Staff at their Primary or Secondary School.
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A Private Performing Arts Teacher if home educated.
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On application through parents who are actively searching for Performance Led Programmes.
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Via Invitation
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Or Audition process.
abop have very limited availability for Grade Students. Master Classes are only offered once a student has reached a certain level of expertise.
Many of ABOP's alumni have gone on to join additional Associate Programmes at The Royal Ballet, Tap Attack, Stagebox, Spirit etc. They've attended Russell group Universities, major Drama Schools abroad and across the UK, and privately funded Stage Schools. Students have performance careers, as actors, dancers, singers and musicians, a number have progressed into backstage and design work. Others have moved into education, teaching and counselling. Some work in drama therapy and psychology, others are at medical school and work in healthcare. All are successful due to their hard work and dedication to succeed, personal attributes we encourage and celebrate at ABOP. We are immensely proud of them all.
A word from our Directors
At ABOP we believe young people should be offered theatrical experiences that are challenging and inspirational and with the same high quality production values and integrity of content as the best adult theatre. We believe that it benefits young people to work with other young creatives on the same trajectory and same level of engagement. Only then can students reach their full potential attain their goals.
ABOP
More Than Just Theatre
Our goal is to inspire excellence, motivate learning, uplift the human spirit, build confidence and spark a lifelong appreciation for the arts. Through this experience, students develop life skills such as self-confidence, communication skills, teamwork, leadership, respect, time management, and responsibility, within a group dynamic. By helping students develop their artistic talents strive for excellence, we hope to teach young artists how to achieve both in the performing arts, in school, and ultimately in life.
Believing that young people should be able to engage in high quality performances of original and popular Theatre Productions the ABOP approach is educational, life affirming and fun, with programmes considered to be an extension of a young persons education, ensuring the arts do not sit in their own bubble but relate to other areas of a young persons learning.
Teaching Associates
abop staff and associates are highly experienced well educated individuals in Performance Art, Specialist Arts Subjects, Education, and Psychology. Staff must be over 23 years of age and have either a first degree, an additional PGCE or Masters, plus experience of teaching, within the private or state sector. Visiting lecturers may be industry professionals currently employed within Theatre with the necessary professional qualifications.
abop does not engage students or fellow class members as mentors, to teach classes, assist or lead workshops, oversee sessions or run rehearsals.
Young People are Extraordinary
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ABOP feels privileged to be work with amazing young people and to be supported by forward thinking and kind-hearted parents and guardians, who promote and celebrate the achievements of their own child as well as those of others.
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ABOP advocates diversity and recognises that during their engagement young people may wish to challenge gender stereotypes.
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ABOP chooses to inspire not influence and remains neutral with regards to politics and religion.
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ABOP values the transformative power of theatre and the importance of giving young people a voice as they engage with other artists.
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ABOP believes Theatre challenges perceptions, changes attitudes and behaviour, and inspires positive change. Participation improves self-esteem, mental well being, motivation, and achievement.
