About this Event
Developed as part of the pilot programme for Physical Fellowship National, this symposium responds directly to a growing conversation across the sector about access, training, sustainability and progression within physical theatre.
Recent consultation with artists, training providers and companies identified a shared challenge: while physical theatre continues to evolve and expand within contemporary performance, the routes into the industry can often feel unclear, inaccessible or unsustainable for young people, particularly those encountering the artform for the first time.
At the same time, the sector itself is changing. The demand for collaborative, multi-skilled artists is growing. Ensemble practice, devised work, movement-led storytelling and interdisciplinary performance are becoming increasingly central to contemporary theatre-making. Yet many young people still lack visible pathways into these spaces, or opportunities to understand what life and work within the sector really looks like.
This symposium brings together artists, organisations, educators and young people to explore those questions together.
The event will include a live performance from Sprung Youth Ambassadors, a keynote presentation and a panel discussion exploring:
- how young people first encounter physical theatre
- the changing realities of training and professional practice
- the importance of inclusive and sustainable pathways into the arts
- how the sector can better support emerging artists beyond initial training
- what physical theatre offers audiences and performers now
As part of Highly Sprung’s wider ambition for Physical Fellowship National, the symposium also acts as a platform to share learning from the pilot programme and to explore new ways of connecting young people with training, mentorship, creative opportunities and long-term progression within the industry.
The symposium will particularly benefit students interested in:
- Drama, Theatre and Dance GCSE/A ‘Level/BTEC
- Devised and Ensemble Performance
- Creative Careers
- Contemporary Performance Practice
Event Schedule:
9.45am – Schools Arrive
10am – Welcome & Context Setting
10.15am – Flag performed by Sprung Youth Ambassadors
10.30am – Keynote Address
11.15am – Break
11.30am – Panel Discussion
12.45pm – Closing Summary
1pm – Event End
Event venue & nearby stays
Square One Bar & Entertainment Venue, 4 Jordan Well, Coventry, United Kingdom
Concerts, fests, parties, meetups — all the happenings, one place.