Accessibility
We are committed to making the arts accessible to everyone. Our current focus is on young people aged 12-18 who are Neuro-diverse. We are working with support groups and those with lived experience (both those who are Neuro-diverse and Parents/Carers of) to develop our practice. If you struggle to access theatre or classes because of SEND please send us an email (or fill in our form) with the following details so we can work with you to create a workshop/performing arts space that is sufficient for your individual needs:
- Your diagnosis (if you have one) with specific profile (IE Autistic with PDA)
- Details of support required (this could be taken from an ILP/EHCP) IE needs 1:1 support throughout. Needs visual aids. ETC.
- What barriers you face in attending the theatre/a workshop (IE transition of getting out of the house "on-time", Sensory avoidance - noise, Sensory seeking - taste (any additional things like PICA)
- If your young person needs an individual session, small group or is ok in bigger groups with the right support
- Anything else you think useful.
We will then get back to you and open up a dialogue of what might work. This is an on-going project so sessions may not be immediately. We want to get it right and therefore want to take the time to get to know your young person!
Cygnet youth theatre Spring 2025
A weekly class for 12-18 year olds, held at Cygnet Theatre.
CYT believes in cultivating the next generation of performers. Additionally seeking to enhance life skills, communication, confidence and creativity.
Terms are 10 weeks, with two terms dedicated to workshops covering techniques and skills including: Improvisation, Voice, Characterisation, Physical Theatre, Ensemble, Monologues, Audition technique and more.
The final term is either preparation for an industry showcase; monologues & duologues in front of industry professionals and invited guests, or our own performance; in previous years this has been Importance of Being Ernest, our sell-out Alice in Wonderland, The Marxist in Heaven (Bristol Old Vic), Adrian Mole (on tour) and Romeo & Juliet.
Fees for each 10 week term are £80. The first taster session is free.
Mondays, 7-9pm
Spring Term dates
From 3rd Feb - 24th March
100% success rate in Drama school auditions
100% success rate in agency auditions
100% success rate in filming auditions.
contact [email protected]
It's Just Walking Dance
IJW Dance Company founded in January 2025, and rehearses at Cygnet Theatre.
Founded by Helena Meineck.
Helena was born in Walton on Thames, Surrey in 1960 and started dancing when she was just 2 years old. When she was 18, she spent 3 years at the then Laban Centre for Movement and Dance at Goldsmith’s College (now Goldsmiths University) in New Cross training with Laverne Meyer, Founder of the Northern Ballet, Merce Cunningham and Robert North amongst others.
Her professional career took off immediately in Italy working with Norberto Rosofsky aka Pepi Nelson, Primo Ballerino from the Teatro Nacional de Buenos Aires. After a few years she began to choreograph, design and make costumes. Not only did she tour Italy but she also performed on Italian TV and choreographed videos for up and coming young Italian singers with MTV, Milan. At the age of 40 she retired from the dance world to settle down, have a family and change her career pathway working for the Regione Lombardia and Connor Language Services, Milano as a translator and English teacher working with children and adults.
for details on how to join IJW Dance company, email [email protected]
She moved to Exeter with her husband and young son in 2005 and studied at The University of Exeter. She has a 1st class Honours degree, is a qualified Teacher, a professional Trainer/Assessor and has Early Years Professional Status. After managing a small pre-school in Exmouth for 14 years, in March 2020 she was awarded the Nationally coveted Children’s Champion Award for her commitment and dedication to the Early Years sector.
In 2021 she returned to the world of dance helping out at a local dance studio in Exeter. She returned to the stage at the beginning of 2024 performing with a small group of adults at the Phoenix’ Scratch Night. Since then she has been teaching and choreographing and in January 2025 the amateur Dance Company IJW Dance Company was formed.
Private tuition
Day: By request
Time: By request
Cost: TBC
Looking for individual drama tuition - looking to get into drama school? To build confidence? To work on a speech?
Our professional tutors/directors can help work on monologues, exam pieces, self-tapes or speeches.
Suitable for all ages and ability.
Our tutors will use their many years experience in the performing arts industry to help develop your creative practice.
