About Elevate
For information in BSL about Elevate follow this link.
Elevate is Vamos Theatre's annual programme supporting early career artists on their theatre journey.
Are you an Early Career Artist interested in non-verbal, physical story telling? Have you tried full mask performance before? Fancy the chance to be part of Vamos Theatre’s Elevate 2026 FREE four-day training residency in mask and physical theatre? Then come and join us for a taster session.
Vamos Theatre’s Elevate programme trains and inspires the next generation of artists from diverse communities across the UK (18 years +). The programme is open to all, but we are especially interested in meeting artists from ethnic minority backgrounds, deaf artists or those whose finances might be a barrier to accessing training opportunities.
The first stage, open to all, is a free full mask taster session where you can immerse yourself in Vamos Theatre’s approach to mask theatre, creating physical character and devising non-verbal theatre that connects and moves audiences. This includes a workshop led in BSL, with interpretation for hearing participants, at Bristol Old Vic.
From these nationwide taster workshops, Vamos Theatre selects a group of artists to attend a free residency in October 2026, where you’ll receive intensive training and space to create a public performance. All Elevate graduates will become part of our Alumni and be offered opportunities for further online and in-person training in the future.
The Autumn residency (19th-22nd Oct) will be delivered in BSL and English and fully translated for deaf and hearing artists.
Vamos Theatre's Elevate Programme is supported by The Garrick Club Charitable Trust, The Noel Coward Foundation and Arts Council England, with thanks to our venue partners: University of York, Chichester Festival Theatre, The Landmark Theatre Ilfracombe, Bristol Old Vic, Worcester Theatres.
Elevate Taster Workshops
Our 2026 mask taster workshops are now confirmed.
When: Monday, 23rd March, 2-5pm
Where: School of Arts and Creative Technologies East, Campus East, University of York
Cost: FREE
To book: this event is now finished
When: Tuesday, 24th March, 2-5pm
Where: Chichester Festival Theatre, Oaklands Park, Chichester, PO19 6AP
Cost: FREE
To book: this event has now finished
When: Saturday, 13th June, 2pm-5pm
Where: The Landmark Theatre, The Promenade, Ilfracombe, EX34 9BZ
Cost: free
To book: this event has now finished
When: Thursday, 7th July, 5pm-8pm
Where: Bristol Old Vic, Coopers Hall, Bristol, BS1 4ED
Cost: FREE
To book: via Vamos Theatre's Eventbrite page
Please note this workshop is led in BSL by deaf artist, Ciaran O'Breen, with interpretation for hearing participants. Both deaf and hearing participants are welcome to attend.
When: Monday, 14th September, 5pm-8pm
Where: The Swan Theatre, The Moors, Worcester, WR1 3ED
Cost: free
To book: via the Worcester Theatres website
When: Saturday, 3rd October, 2pm-5pm
Where: The Everyman Theatre, 5-11 Hope Street, Liverpool, L1 9BH
Cost: free
To book: via Vamos Theatre's Eventbrite page
From these taster workshops, we will select a number of participants to take part in a free four-day residency at 101 Outdoor Arts, Newbury (19th-22nd October 2026).
Elevate info in BSL
TRANSCRIPT: Are you an early career d/Deaf artist interested in non-verbal, physical storytelling? Vamos Theatre’s Elevate 2026 is about to begin.
The Elevate programme trains and inspires the next generation of artists from diverse communities across the UK. The programme starts with free full mask taster sessions, exploring Vamos Theatre’s approach to mask, physical theatre and devising, including an exclusive event for d/Deaf artists, led by a d/Deaf practitioner and with BSL interpretation
From these tasters, we select artists to attend a free residency in autumn 2026, where you’ll receive intensive training and space to create public performances. All Elevate graduates become part of our Alumni, with access to events, online sessions, performance opportunities and ongoing connections within the Elevate community. For the latest taster workshop dates, see https://www.vamostheatre.co.uk/elevate. We hope to see you at a workshop, and please spread the word to other d/Deaf artists. Thank you!
What it was like...
Reviews
Looking back, for anybody starting out, I can’t recommend Elevate enough - it’s a place where early-career artists aren’t just taught, but truly nurtured. Vamos Theatre welcomes anyone, no matter their background, giving every participant the chance to grow creatively and professionally.
I’ve learnt so much and been able to explore mask work in a way that I have never had the opportunity to do before!
Incredibly useful, brilliantly structured and superbly delivered!
Incredible, invigorating, life changing, unforgettable
Playful, collaborative and inspiring. A joyful afternoon, of learning and discovering.
Engaging, refreshing, educational. Honor was such a welcoming and supportive presence!
Absolutely magical and heart warming
it was such a chill low pressure neurodivergent friendly environment that just promoted fun and play. It was incredibly enjoyable.
Supportive, playful and endlessly beneficial
This has been superb!! Full of practical transferable ideas; I feel totally inspired!
Amazing! A very welcoming and inspiring company
A really friendly and welcoming vibe where I felt really relaxed and confident after feeling nervous.
A fun and supportive space with an amazing ethos - providing theatre to people who need it
I had the most amazing day. I walked out feeling amazing in myself and so confident.
Elevate Workshops
