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Thu 24 July - Sun 27 July 2025
Dracula’s: Sanctuary
Auditorium, Isaac Theatre Royal
Mon 29 September - Wed 1 October 2025
Isaac Theatre Royal & Canvas Bag Drama School present...
September School Holiday Drama Workshops
In the Shadows
Isaac Theatre Royal
Could you be Peter Pan's trickster shadow? Would you hide under the Goddess Nyx's shadow? What stories will you find in the shadows formed deep into Plato's cave?
EARLY BIRD PRICING: Tuesday 19 August - Friday 5 September 2025
REGISTRATION CLOSES: Thursday 25 September 2025.
Join us these holidays as we delve into the world of the mysterious, of stories as old as civilization itself, of tales that lurk in the shadows. The shadows tell a story of their very own and one that's deeper than what we see in the light.
For three days our young people will be taught by Canvas Bag tutors Harry, Caitlyn and Andrew . They will explore classic tales in a new light through the medium of shadow theatre. Students will learn new performance skills, grow in confidence, learn from some of Christchurch's best acting tutors, and experience the fun of shadow theatre. Will you be the one who tells the untold stories of what lurks in the shadows?
Meet the Tutors
Andrew Gilbert
Class 7 - 8 Years | 9 AM - 3 PM
Andrew has a keen interest in improvisation, and encourages imagination and quick thinking within conventional storytelling structure, and improvisation itself. As a deep appreciator of storytelling, Andrew encourages his students to find the patterns within all stories, and to understand the rules of regular storytelling so that they may be broken in interesting ways!
Currently pursuing a Masters in Child and Family Psychology, Andrew's focus is on the students; their growth, learning and fun. But Andrew is no slouch in the performing arts; as a classically trained singer with many plays and musicals under his belt, he is ready to impart his knowledge effectively. His teaching is characterised by empathy and humour.
Caitlyn O'Rouke
Class 9 - 11 Years | 9 AM - 3 PM
Caitlyn has a Bachelor of Science majoring in psychology with a minor in statistics from the University of Canterbury. She began her theatre training with Harlequin Players, and later joined Riccarton Players, appearing on stage in a variety of roles. As an accomplished singer, she was part of the specialist music programme at Burnside where she sang in the Bel Canto choir and performed in several Showbiz productions. She has worked as a director for Canterbury University groups Musoc and Dramasoc, and led improvisation workshops with SayWhat.
Caitlyn enjoys weaving technical knowledge of the voice and body with artistic endeavours. She believes that improvisation has played a key role in her development as not just a performer but a person, and is passionate about making this form of play available to anyone wanting to flourish.
Harry Lawrence
Class 12 - 17 Years | 9 AM - 4 PM
Harry is an actor, director and playwright who has been in performing arts circles by the time he could talk. Originally from Swansea (Wales), Harry has been involved in a wide variety on theatre disciplines including musical theatre, improvisation, physical theatre and puppetry and has toured with Creature Encounter, an internationally acclaimed street theatre puppetry group. Since moving to Christchurch, Harry founded and continues to run the Hwyl Theatre Company (circa 2019) with his partner Emma which provides original theatrical productions across the South Island.
Harry's fundamental approach to teaching is that it must always be led with joy. Young actors spark the real creatives in themselves when they shed off the weight of doubt and self-consciousness and embrace deliberate expression, foolishness and joy. While performing is a discipline and requires discipline, joy is what inspires children and young people to grow in confidence, personal expression and belief in their own ideas and creativity.
Workshop Dates
Mon 29 September 2025
Tue 30 September 2025
Donate
By donating to the Isaac Theatre Royal, you are helping us with the costs involved in the maintenance and development of the Theatre. Your assistance will ensure she maintains her unique place in our arts heritage as one of the most prestigious and illustrious venues in Australasia for many years to come.
Donate
By donating to the Isaac Theatre Royal, you are helping us with the costs involved in the maintenance and development of the Theatre. Your assistance will ensure she maintains her unique place in our arts heritage as one of the most prestigious and illustrious venues in Australasia for many years to come.
Donate
By donating to the Isaac Theatre Royal, you are helping us with the costs involved in the maintenance and development of the Theatre. Your assistance will ensure she maintains her unique place in our arts heritage as one of the most prestigious and illustrious venues in Australasia for many years to come.
