SOPHIE RUSSELL & XAVI DE SANTOS

PLAYING WITH THEATRE

MOVEMENT & THEATRICAL PLAYFUL EXPLORATIONS

THE WORKSHOP

This Playing with Theatre workshop will be co-led by

Sophie Russell and Xavi De Santos.

In the workshop, we will investigate text and ideas, unlocking what makes them playfully alive. Through improvisation, text exploration, and ensemble exercises, we'll develop sharper instincts, deeper listening, and greater creative freedom. We will explore why something makes us laugh, how timing and physicality shape meaning, and how to be playful with one another.

In that spirit we will always work to the best of our abilities but we will never take ourselves too seriously and the workshop space is full of laughter and experiment.

THE FACILITATORS

SOPHIE RUSSELL

Sophie Russell is an Associate Artist of Shakespeare's Globe and has worked as an actor there on The Merry Wives of Windsor, Titus Andronicus, Twelfth Night, A Midsummer Night's Dream, Henry IV Parts One and Two, Henry V, Henry VI, Richard III and Emilia. She is also part of the Higher Education Faculty at The Globe and regularly teaches and directs University students in Shakespeare projects and workshops.

Other theatre work includes The Prudes, The Wolf From The Door and Collaborations at The Royal Court Theatre, Get Happy and Stories From an Invisible Town at The Barbican, You Can't Take It With You at Manchester Royal Exchange, The Good Soul of Schezuan at The Youing Vic, Spyski! At The Lyric Hammersmith and Every Last Trick at Northampton Theatre Royal.

With Spymonkey Theatre Company she was performer and co creator of A Christmas Carol at Liverpool Playhouse and Mrs Hudson's Christmas Corker at Wilton's Music Hall. She works as a workshop leader and associate for the company. She also has a long association with Told By An Idiot Theatre Company as a performer and workshop facilitator.

XAVI DE SANTOS

Xavi is a freelance performance practitioner and the founder of Bath's and Trowbridge Creative Playground. His interdisciplinary practice brings together dance, theatre, and improvisation, with a strong focus on the theatrical potential of the moving body.

Over the last decade, alongside facilitating for Bath Spa University as an associate lecturer for the Dance and Acting degrees, for dance schools and community groups in Bath and Bristol, Xavi has also been devising and performing with Dust Ensemble, as well as for the company he co-founded, AllouAqui Dance Theatre.

Xavi’s professional training began in his hometown of Porto, Portugal, where he studied physical theatre at Balleteatro. Xavi then moved to the UK to complete a BA in Contemporary Dance at Bath Spa University. Most recently, he completed a research Master’s in Performance Practice at Middlesex University in London, with a particular focus on improvisation and devising strategies.

Last year, I founded and have been running Bath’s Creative Playground, a community-rooted space where people can reconnect with their creative selves. After several months of bringing creatives together, I expanded the initiative and created Trowbridge Creative Playground as part of my ongoing commitment to making creativity accessible and strengthening the artistic community.

MORE DETAILS & HOW TO BOOK

Saturday, 18th July, 2-4pm

Old Town Hall, Trowbridge

Market St, Trowbridge BA14 8EQ

Our 2-hour workshop, co-led by two facilitators, has a cost of £10.

Parking available near the venue.

Make sure to bring water and to wear comfortable sportswear.

Please make sure to have your e-ticket saved.

Sessions are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged for future dates.

FIRST TIME HERE?

If this is your first time at coming to a session a Trowbridge Creative Playground, please fill out the registration form below before you book your session.