Each year thousands of young people from primary, secondary and SEND schools across the country unite in the world’s largest youth Shakespeare festival.

Our programme was developed in 2000 from the BBC’s much-loved classroom resource, Shakespeare: The Animated Tales.

The comprehensive Festival process culminates in exhilarating performance evenings; young people aged 8-18 playing Shakespeare in professional theatres, raising aspirations and unlocking the potential of students and teachers alike.

Registration for our 2026-27 Festival is now open. Or find tickets for your local Theatre Festival performance.

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What is it?

Shakespeare Schools Theatre Festival is a cultural education project that supports young people to perform abridged Shakespeare plays on professional theatre stages. From Northern Stage in Newcastle to Gwyn Hall in Neath, we work with some of the country's most outstanding regional venues to give thousands of young people each year a vital cultural experience.

Over approximately eight months, our young people will be supported to prepare their production with workshops led by professional actors and directors, and a range of award-winning resources. Our Shakespeare scripts have been abridged by acclaimed writers including Sir Tom Stoppard and Jamila Gavin MBE, and our dedicated Programme Coordinators are on hand to support teachers through each step of the process.

Our Theatre Festival has achieved Impact Level 3 with the Skills Builder Partnership. Learn more.

Join the Festival now and give your students the chance to shine onstage.

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Read our Theatre Festival FAQs or ask us a question.

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How does it work?

Step One

Designed for Teacher-Directors at the beginning of their directing journey, this step includes two illuminating online workshops: Festival First Steps and From Page to Stage, followed by a Creative Development Call from a CSSF Artistic Associate in the weeks after your In-School Workshop.

Guided by our expert drama facilitators, novice Teacher-Directors will learn all the key information and begin to develop the skills they need to take on the project.

 

 Step Two

An opportunity for all Teacher-Directors to challenge their ideas of their play, with The Play’s The Thing – a series of dynamic online masterclasses hosted by a CSSF Artistic Associate and a CSSF patron.

Dive into the themes, ideas and creative possibilities at the heart of Shakespeare’s plays.

You’ll also hear from actors including Alfred Enoch, Lucy Phelps and John Heffernan!

 

Step Three

Your students will be joined by a Coram Shakespeare Schools Foundation facilitator for a half-day workshop, in your school.

Learn the secrets of theatre staging, uncover the hidden intentions and flourishes in Shakespeare's scripts, and get expert support and advice from a theatre professional, tailor-made to the needs of your performance.

 

Step Four

Bringing together new and experienced Teacher-Directors for Playful Spaces – an in-person, one-day learning event of masterclasses, networking and reflection, helping you create inclusive rehearsal spaces where every young person can thrive.

 

Step Five

The Festival process culminates in a celebratory performance on a local, professional theatre stage.

Your students will deliver their Shakespeare production to a paying audience of family and friends, alongside other local schools, in a spectacular celebration of creativity.

 

“This has made me more confident in nearly everything. It was the best thing in the world. I want to do it again and again.”
Denisas, age 11, previous Festival participant

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When does it take place?

Our Theatre Festival runs across two phases.

Schools participating in the Autumn Phase will prepare for a performance in October-November 2026, while our Spring Phase schools will take to the stage in February-April 2027.

To find out which phase your local professional theatre is part of, get in touch here.

	Autumn		Spring
	First-Time Teacher-Directors	All Teacher-Directors	First-Time Teacher-Directors	All Teacher-Directors
Registration	November - June		January - September
Support: Festival First Steps	June		November
Support: From Page to Stage	September		January
In-school Workshop	Around 1 month before your performance
Support: Creative Development Calls	September - November		January - March
Challenge: The Play’s The Thing	September - October		September - October
Inspire: Playful Spaces	October		December
Your tech/dress rehearsal & performance in professional theatre	October - November		February - April

Looking for fundraising ideas to help finance the project? Click here.

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Or, take a look at the other exciting programmes that we're running this year: