Student conferences
Student conferences are large-scale events based on a National Theatre production. Designed for GCSE and A-Levels, they feature talks and masterclasses with members of the company and creative team. Sessions include exploration of the play text and the process of bringing the production to the stage.
We design conferences to prepare students for their English Literature and Drama exams. They take place at the National Theatre. Any school or college can apply for tickets to our student conferences.
If you’d like to get in touch with our Secondary team, please email us below. We’d love to hear from you!
Upcoming conference
Live theatre review student conference: Exploring The Other Place
The next National Theatre Student Conference will take place on Thursday 7 November 2024, and will explore The Other Place, a new play by Alexander Zeldin after Antigone.
The event will include interactive sessions and talks with members of the company, exploring the creative process. It will support students studying the production for the live theatre review component for A Level drama.
The conference sessions will take place from 1.30-3.30pm. After the conference, attendees will receive tickets to The Other Place at 5pm that day.
Ticket information
Each booking includes:
– Ticket to the student conference.
– Ticket to the evening performance of The Other Place on Thursday 7 November, 5pm.
Tickets cost £15 per student for UK state-funded schools, and £20 per student for independent schools.
2 x free teacher tickets per group with any additional teachers charged £15 each.
Recommended age group – KS5/16+.
You will be notified shortly after this date as to whether you have successfully secured a place.
If you have any questions about booking for the conference, please email secondary@nationaltheatre.org.uk.
Past conferences
Live theatre review student conference with Gecko
This conference, in January 2024, was designed to support students with this component of the GCSE and A-level specifications.
The day featured a masterclass from critically acclaimed theatre critic Lyn Gardner, as well as talks and interactive workshops with the company, exploring their devising methodology and creative process.
This was followed by the schools performance of Kin and an exclusive schools-focused post show Q&A with Artistic Director Amit Lahav and members of the Gecko team.
Hear from our participants :
Live theatre review student conference 2024 photos © Emma Hare
This was a truly informative and interesting experience. I particularly enjoyed Lyn Gardner’s talk and the workshop!
– Student, Live theatre review student conference 2024 attendee
Being able to hear from the Gecko company directly and then see a Gecko production – this was brilliant for the students in shaping their experience of the piece. Also, just having a full day dedicated to ‘Theatre’ was just such a joy.
– Teacher, Live theatre review student conference 2024 attendee
Othello
The conference was designed to provide an insight into The National Theatre’s recent production of Othello, directed by Clint Dyer in January 2023.
The Crucible
The National Theatre welcomed schools back for a sold-out student conference for The Crucible in October 2022.
Three Sisters
The National Theatre’s student conference on Inua Ellams’ adaptation of Chekhov’s Three Sisters took place in January 2020.
Antony & Cleopatra
The National Theatre’s student conference on Shakespeare’s Antony and Cleopatra took place in January 2019.
Our funders
The Mohn Westlake Foundation supports nationwide Learning programmes for young people.
Young People’s Programmes are supported by Bank of America, The Maurice Hatter Foundation and the Richard Radcliffe Trust. With thanks to the MAP Fund.
Nationwide learning is supported by Buffini Chao Foundation, Clore Duffield Foundation, Crevan O’Grady & Jane McClenahan, MFPA Trust Fund for the Training of Disabled Children in the Arts, The Kartik Foundation, Behrens Foundation, Marlow Trust, Cleopatra Trust, and The Andor Charitable Trust.
Contact us
Katy McEntee
Senior Coordinator, Schools Engagement
Jess Martins
Coordinator, Schools Engagement
You can contact the Secondary team on secondary@nationaltheatre.org.uk
Live theatre review student conference 2024 photos © Emma Hare
More to explore
The Learning Hub
Find teaching tools for curriculum set texts or explore creativity, literacy, and oracy using theatre and drama skills.
Drama Teacher Conference
Join our two-day conference where leading drama experts and practitioners come together to inspire, inform and upskill.
Connections
Your school or youth group can sign up to Connections, our annual national youth drama festival.