The Citizen’s Rehearsal

The Citizen’s Rehearsal is a series of interactive theatre workshops designed to slot into school calendars, delivering a variety of high quality sessions based on the Government’s recommended Programme of Study for KS2.

Our Citizen’s Rehearsals teach young people how to play a full part in democratic society. Giving young people the opportunity to actively engage in contemporary issues allows them to develop empathy, understand how to get their views across, and debate solutions in the most effective way. Research shows that democratic societies are more likely to succeed when the population is actively engaged with local and national politics. We have therefore chosen a pedagogical approach that is based on gaining practical, real life experience that is linked to the young citizens’ local community. It is a rehearsal; getting it wrong doesn’t matter, what matters is getting involved.

Using theatre as the medium of delivery, our workshops are designed to give young people the space to explore what it means to be a citizen. Using theatre, we can give young people the tools to try on different scenarios in a safe environment. This puts young people at the helm, giving them an understanding of how they can approach group decision-making, and be heard by their local community.

In light of the Government’s recent curriculum review, Citizenship is set to become a statutory subject at KS2 from 2028. The Citizen’s Rehearsal is designed to respond to this shift, offering schools an engaging and age-appropriate approach to Citizenship learning at primary level. We aim to be delivering high-quality workshop series across Hertfordshire and North London by this time, supporting schools to meet new requirements while recognising the importance of alternative, creative methods of learning. Our provision places emphasis on experiential learning, participation, and exploration through theatre, tailored specifically to younger learners and their local contexts