Clean Break’s education programme offers a range of free courses and training opportunities throughout the year from our studios in Kentish Town, a women-only space. Our students are women with experience of the criminal justice system and women at risk of offending. Through theatre, students are able to explore their creativity and imagination, and work collaboratively to develop their skills and build their confidence. All courses are taught by experienced tutors who continue to work professionally in the theatre and bring this experience into their teaching practice.
We have good working relationships with organisations working with vulnerable women, particularly in the areas of mental health, substance use and addiction, domestic violence and probation. We welcome new contacts who work with women who might be interested in the courses Clean Break has to offer. Please refer the women you work with to us or contact us directly for more information. We would be happy to arrange an outreach visit to your organisation or to invite you to one of our Information Days.
Our programme includes accredited performance-based courses – Introduction to Drama, and Introduction to Performance Levels 1 and 2 that explore acting, singing and performance poetry. Writing courses develop students’ writing skills and build confidence working alongside a professional writer. Clean Break also runs an English course at Levels 1 and 2 that helps support students’ learning across courses and in other areas of their lives, in addition to a number of personal development courses.
At Clean Break, our holistic support breaks down barriers to learning and our courses enable women to realise their potential and achieve their goals. Over 70% of the women studying at Clean Break go onto further education, training, employment or long-term voluntary placements.
Through our Stage Works programme, we offer current and former students the opportunity to take up theatre-based voluntary placements to gain valuable hands-on work experience. We have partnerships with a number of London’s best theatre companies and arts organisations where students can develop their skills and improve their confidence in exciting, creative environments. Previous placements include Talawa Theatre, Soho Theatre, The Young Vic, National Youth Theatre and the LIFT festival. In the past, following Stage Works placements, students have been offered permanent voluntary and paid work with their host organisation whilst others have said it helped enormously with applications to work and study elsewhere.
There are a range of workshops throughout the year dealing with all aspects of moving on from Clean Break which include: practical CV help, applications for Further Education/Higher Education, preparing for interviews, and ongoing personal support and guidance.
