Professional Learning
Theatre Lab - London
Saturday 6 Februaryto Sunday 7 February 2027
- Event type
- Professional Learning
- For
- Educators
- When
- 6–7 February 20279:00 AM – 2:00 PM GMT
- Where
- London, United Kingdom
- Booking
- Booking temporarily unavailable
A two-day immersive studio for theatre and drama educators. Work hands-on with professional theatre artists, attend a live performance, and leave with fresh creative energy and practical strategies for your classroom. Open to all curricula, including IB, A Level, BTEC, GCSE, and iGCSE.
About this event
This two-day ISTA studio puts theatre and drama educators back in the room as creative learners, working hands-on with professional theatre artists and a cohort of fellow teachers from different schools and locations.
Inspired by ISTA's TAPS model, the experience that has shaped ensemble theatre-making for students, this studio brings that same approach to educators. Participants engage in practical theatre-making with professional artists across three intensive artist-led workshop labs, experiencing the process firsthand before connecting it directly to their teaching. Alongside the studio work, a curriculum lead guides reflective sessions that help participants translate the experience into meaningful classroom practice, including structured exploration before and after the live theatre performance that forms part of the event.
This is an immersive creative experience designed specifically for educators. Reconnecting with your own creativity as an artist deepens how you guide the young artists in your classroom.
This event is hosted in collaboration with the Education Department at the iconic Shakespeare’s Globe, this lab takes place within the Globe’s professional learning and rehearsal environment on London’s South Bank, offering participants the rare opportunity to train, collaborate, and reflect within one of the world’s most celebrated theatre institutions.
Who is it for?
This studio is for any educator who teaches theatre or drama, whether you are working with IB DP Theatre, IB MYP Arts, A Level, BTEC, GCSE, iGCSE, or any other curriculum. It is open to teachers at any stage of their career. No ISTA membership is required to attend.
What to Expect at an ISTA Theatre Lab
- Two days of immersive, in-person professional learning
- Three in-depth artist-led practical workshop labs across a range of creative approaches
- A practical, action-based approach that places you in the role of the learner, reigniting creativity and inspiring new approaches to your own practice
- Guided curriculum sessions connecting the creative work directly to your own teaching context
- A ticket to a professional live theatre performance
- Collaborative exchange with educators from different schools and backgrounds
- A small cohort, capped at 20 participants
- A complimentary ISTA Solo membership is included with your place
Your ISTA experience
Workshop focus
At the heart of this studio is the experience of theatre-making itself. Participants work across three artist-led labs that draw on a range of creative practices, traditions, and approaches, engaging with the work from the inside as both maker and educator, developing their teaching practice.
Each lab is designed not just to expand your creative toolkit but to reconnect you with the curiosity, risk-taking, and ensemble spirit that makes theatre-making so powerful in the first place.
The specific focus of each studio varies depending on the artists involved, ensuring that every iteration of this event brings something fresh, unexpected, and designed to inspire your teaching.
Live performance
This ISTA professional learning event includes a live theatre performance as part of the programme, chosen to complement and enrich your learning across the two days.
Full details will be shared closer to the event.
About the workshop leader
This studio is led by a team of professional theatre artists and an ISTA Curriculum Lead.
Each artist brings their own specialist practice, creative perspective, and teaching experience into the room, offering participants genuine encounters with different approaches to theatre-making. The ISTA Curriculum Lead works across both days to frame the experience, guide reflection, and support participants in connecting the creative work directly to their teaching practice.
Together, they create a learning environment that is artistically rich, practically grounded, and genuinely collaborative.
Specific workshop leader details will be confirmed and shared closer to the event.
Joining the event
Booking and registration
All PD&L studio bookings are made via your ISTA website account. To complete your booking:
- Provide your participant and school details, including name, contact information, dietary or accessibility needs, and whether you hold an ISTA membership
- Confirm your agreement to ISTA's Terms and Conditions, including media consent and account creation
Once submitted, your booking confirmation will appear in the profile of the person who completed the registration. Please note: if a colleague booked on your behalf, the confirmation may sit under their account.
If you requested an invoice, it has been sent to the email address provided at the time of booking. Your place is reserved, subject to payment in line with our booking terms.
Please note: Registrations close 7 days before the event start date.
Payment process
Please note the following before completing your booking:
- Once booked and invoiced, registration fees are non-refundable and non-transferable in accordance with our event terms and conditions
- Late registrants will not be able to order a t-shirt
Schedule
Studio Schedule
- Day 1: 9:00am–4:30pm on Saturday 6 February 2027.
- Day 2: 9:00am–2:00pm on Sunday 7 February 2027.
Day 1 is a full day of artist-led labs, practical exploration, and shared learning, including a curated theatre experience.
Day 2 focuses on reflection, application, and translating learning into classroom practice.
Take a look at a sample studio schedule to get a feel for how the two days are structured.
Prepare for your event
Travel, visas and accommodation
Accommodation
All participants are responsible for booking their own accommodation in London for the duration of the event. ISTA suggests booking a hotel near the event venue. Please email the Event Manager for further guidance if needed.
Arrival: Participants should plan to arrive in London by the evening of Friday 5 February 2027.
Departure: Participants should not plan to leave the venue before 2:00pm on Sunday 7 February 2027.
Local Transportation
Participants will be responsible for arranging their own local transportation within London for this event. Please book travel accordingly and allow for ample time to travel to and from the airport/train station.
Recommended Travel Routes
Airports:
- London Heathrow Airport (LHR) — the largest and most connected international airport serving London
- London Gatwick Airport (LGW) — a major international airport south of London
- London Stansted Airport (STN) — primarily serving European and budget routes
- London Luton Airport (LTN) — serving a range of European and domestic routes
- London City Airport (LCY) — the closest airport to central London, primarily serving business and European routes
Directions to Shakespeare's Globe Theatre
By public transit:
- By Tube:
- London Bridge (Northern line) — 9 minute walk
- Blackfriars (District and Circle lines) — 10 minute walk
- Mansion House (District and Circle lines) — 10 minute walk
- Southwark (Jubilee line) — 15 minute walk
- St Paul's (Central line) — 15 minute walk
- By Bus:
- Routes 45, 63, 100 — stop at Blackfriars Bridge
- Routes 11, 15, 17, 26 — stop at Mansion House
- Routes 344, 381 — stop on Southwark Bridge Road / Southwark Street
- By River Bus:
- Bankside Pier (Thames Clipper RB1) — 2 minute walk to the theatre
- By taxi or rideshare: Black cabs are available on Southwark Bridge year-round, and rideshare apps such as Uber and Bolt operate in the area.
For detailed transportation information and accessibility guidance, please explore the Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre transportation guide.
Visa Requirements
It is the responsibility of participants/schools to ensure they have the necessary visas.
For all visa and immigration information for entry into the United Kingdom, please visit: gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration
Visa applications can take time, so we strongly recommend starting the process as soon as possible.
If you require assistance or supporting documentation for your visa application, please contact the Event Manager well in advance.
Important Communication Information
ISTA business days are Monday to Friday, and we aim to respond to all emails within three business days.
ISTA staff do not monitor emails on weekends (Saturday & Sunday) or public holidays. If a staff member is working at an event, response times may be longer than usual.
Meals and refreshments
The event fees include lunch on both Day 1 and Day 2.
What to bring
Participants should bring:
- Comfortable, movement-friendly clothing
- Notebook and pen for note-taking and reflection
- Attire to wear to the evening theatre performance
Event materials
All registered participants will receive an E-Programme approximately two weeks before the event.
This digital guide includes:
- Studio venue details, full schedule, and timings
- Facilitator and artist biographies
- Key information to help you prepare and make the most of your ISTA learning experience
At the event, you will receive a printed teacher workbook to use during sessions and for future reference, along with access to studio resources.
After the event, participants who attended will receive an ISTA professional development certificate. This will be sent digitally after the event.
