Coming up
- Launch Festival 2025 Tue 13 May - Fri 16 May
- DNA Thu 22 May - Fri 23 May
- National Theatre Live: A Streetcar Named Desire Thu 12 Jun
- Mother Courage – schools performances Thu 19 Jun - Fri 20 Jun
What Nifemi loves about Homegrown theatre at Essex
Fri 11 Apr 2025
The Students Union’s VP Welfare 2023-25 Nifemi Wilson-Adu tells us why she loves Homegrown and why you should get involved!
You can submit an application to our Homegrown programme to put on a show on one of our stages if you are a University of Essex student, alumni or staff member. Find out more and submit an application!
Homegrown theatre, where you take centre stage
Thu 10 Apr 2025
Homegrown theatre, where you take centre stage
The Lakeside Theatre, at the heart of our Colchester Campus, is a performing arts theatre dedicated to putting University of Essex students and alumni centre stage.
We believe that theatre is for everyone. You don’t have to be studying drama to be a performer, actor, director, producer or technician!
In this blog post our theatre team dive a little deeper into how the Lakeside Theatre champions and develops theatre makers at Essex through our Homegrown programme.
What is Homegrown?
Homegrown is what we call our performing arts talent development programme.
ANY Essex student, staff or alumni from ANY academic discipline can put on a show on one of our stages! That’s right, if you have an idea for a performance, you can put on a show at the Lakeside Theatre.
You might be a Law student (for example) who still loves writing and wants to try out a new project on a real stage with a live audience. Or, you might have a group of friends all with a passion for the performing arts and want to put on your own adaptation of Hamlet!
If you are currently studying at Essex or are an Essex graduate or alumnus, you can apply to bring your show to the Lakeside Theatre.
How do I get on the stage?
You need to tell us about your show!
We have a Homegrown application form which anyone can complete at any time in the academic year, there is no open and close for Homegrown, although we do targeted call outs for new applications at different points in the year.
Homegrown has two “levels” that can be applied for: First Steps and Next Level.
First Steps is designed to support those who want to take their first steps into the performing arts and provides students and alumni the opportunity to try out their ideas on our studio stage.
Ideal for current students and recent graduates working on the first pieces, you will be mentored by the Lakeside Theatre team and supported with a small budget to help bring your ideas to the stage.
Even very experienced theatre makers can still apply for First Steps though! Particularly if they are looking to R&D, get feedback on or workshop new writing!
Next Level is designed to provide a bigger platform for more established student and alumni productions, with the aim of allowing students and alumni to bring a well-developed and more professional production to our mighty main stage!
Next Level productions will receive the same guidance and mentorship from the Lakeside Theatre team, but you will be expected to have an established team, production or theatre company and have ideas about artistry, marketing and performance.
A great way to take your show to a big stage and kick-start a tour, Homegrown Next Steps aims to support the professionalism of student and alumni theatre makers and provide you with a big stage to help launch your career or a production.
What makes it to the stage?
Almost anything! We love original writing and drama, but we welcome performances from a variety of genres, including; dance, spoken word, monologues, new writing, adaptations, musical performances, comedy, drag…
If you have a completely unique idea, why not run it by us first before applying. Drop us an email on arts@essex.ac.uk.
You can also find out more about the Homegrown programme and explore past productions on the Lakeside Theatre website.
How do I apply?
The application process is pretty straightforward: complete the application form, tell us about your show and which level you are applying for and we’ll get back to you with feedback and a decision.
If you’d like to talk through your ideas first before making an application, please send the Lakeside Theatre team an email on arts@essex.ac.uk.
This blog post was originally posted on the University of Essex website on 10 April 2025.
Student theatre takes centre stage at the Lakeside Theatre
Mon 17 Feb 2025
Student theatre takes centre stage at the Lakeside Theatre
This spring the Lakeside Theatre sees University of Essex students and alumni take centre stage with four brand new shows!
The spring Homegrown season kicks off with Deanna Strasse’s BOO!, and Nora J Williams brings A Two Woman Hamlet to our studio theatre too.
The Theatre Arts Society present their spring show, Romeo and Jules: A Rock Opera, and Re-Write 2024 winner, Zarbopulon 5 returns to the Lakeside with a full production.
The Lakeside Theatre is our Colchester Campus performing arts theatre which runs both a public and student arts programme, as well as supporting the development of any Essex student or alumni in their dream to become a performing arts professional.
BOO!
Tuesday 11 and Wednesday 12 February, 7pm
Paranormal investigations have long been considered pseudoscience at best and outright hoaxes at worst. The Boolievers are attempting to change all that. The team behind this (marginally successful) internet ghost hunting show will use any means necessary to get the evidence and prove once and for all that we are not alone.
Part of our Homegrown season, this performance of BOO! is a staged reading by MA Scriptwriting student, Deanna Strasse.
A Two Woman Hamlet
Tuesday 4 and Wednesday 5 March, 7pm
A Two Woman Hamlet takes Shakespeare’s well-known tragedy and asks: what happens if you try to do this with a cast of two in just 60 minutes? This is an unpretentious adaptation, with joys in it for those familiar with Hamlet and those new to the story.
Part of our Homegrown season, this show is produced by Nora Williams and directed by PhD Theatre Studies student, Noah Alfred Pantano.
Find out more about A Two Woman Hamlet.
Romeo and Jules: A Rock Opera
Thursday 13 and Friday 14 March, 7pm
An update on Shakespeare’s tragedy with a rocking twist by the Theatre Arts Society.
Set in the long-gone days of 2005, the University of Verona is host to the fierce rivalry between the Montague fraternity, a group of snobbish nerds whose noses are far too deep in their comic books, and the Capulet fraternity, the lunkhead jocks who don’t know the difference between Oedipus and Oreos. Only one thing links them all: Rock music. Get your air guitar ready… it’ll be a night to remember…
Find out more about Romeo and Jules: A Rock Opera.
Zarbopulon 5
Thursday 20 March, 7pm
A new play by University of Essex alumni and Theatre Arts Society Re-Write 2024 competition winner, Peter Vetere!
If you’ve ever been involved in amateur theatre you’ll understand the pain of tech going wrong, actors almost knowing their lines and scripts not being as good as they were pitched. The horror stories of working in the creative industry are the foundations of Zarbopulon 5 and are put front and centre in this comical farce through the genre of sci-fi.
Find out more about Zarbopulon 5.
Homegrown
Homegrown is the Lakeside Theatre’s talent development programme for budding theatre makers at the University of Essex. Students, researchers, staff and alumni can start their Homegrown journey at any stage during their time at Essex. You do not need to be studying drama to star on our stages!
Apply to Homegrown and you can put on your show at the Lakeside Theatre. We will support your show with a small budget and help you with creative, technical and production advice as required.
Find out more about Homegrown.
This blog post was originally published on the University of Essex website on 13/02/2025.
Join the Lakeside Theatre team!
Fri 17 Jan 2025
We’re currently looking for enthusiastic new team members!
Take a look at our vacancies below:
Please apply via the links above, by uploading your CV and Cover Letter.
Applications close Thursday 30 January at 11.59pm.
If you have any questions, please email arts@essex.ac.uk.
Good luck!
Lakeside Theatre Christmas opening hours
Wed 11 Dec 2024
We’re closing for the Christmas break!
The Lakeside Theatre Box Office will be closed from 8pm on Friday 13 December 2024 and will re-open on Thursday 9 January 2025. This means that our doors will be shut, our phone-line will not be operational and our email will not be monitored.
Our staff will be taking a much earned break over this period and as such, will not be monitoring emails or calls during this time, but please be comforted that responding to enquiries received via email over the break will be our priority on Thursday 9 and Friday 10 January 2025.
You are welcome to contact us prior to 13 December 2024 by phone (01206 873261) or email (arts@essex.ac.uk).
We would like to thank everyone who visited the Lakeside Theatre in 2024 and wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! See you again in January 2025.
Love
The Lakeside Theatre Team x
Colchester Fringe 2024 preview
Thu 24 Oct 2024
Colchester Fringe returns for its fourth year, opening on Friday 25 October and running to Sunday 3 November at venues throughout Colchester. Our Lakeside Theatre team have previewed the shows featuring University of Essex alumni and students at this year’s festival.
(This blog post was originally published on the University of Essex blog on 23 October 2024.)
Colchester Fringe
Established in 2019 by Essex’s very own Dr Cameron Abbott-Betts (PhD Theatre Studies 2024) and Steve Goatman, and with its first iteration taking place in 2021, Colchester Fringe celebrates and supports the work of local emerging artists while also working to attract acts and theatre companies to Colchester from across the UK and beyond.
Alumni and student shows at Colchester Fringe
Sub Titles Over
A new play by BA Literature and Drama 2022 graduate Marina Cusi Sanchez (The S is Silent, Plucked).
Just hours away from the referendum for Catalan independence, two young anti-fascist activists hold hands in the dark, waiting for the police to arrive… Performed in Catalan with English subtitles.
Marina said: “Sub Titles Over is a multilingual, multidisciplinary extravaganza of a one-woman-show. With nothing else than one performer on stage and English captions on the back, this show explores political activism, democracy, state censorship, and the manipulative power of translation.
In this show, Cusí is a tour de force in acting, commanding the bare stage by herself for 50 minutes, delivering a performance that encompasses three languages, ten characters, and an infinitude of twists and turns.
If you’re interested in the nuances within translation and how these shape the way we see and understand the world around us, you simply cannot miss this show!”
Three Wise Monkeys, Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 October
Spit It Out
PhD Creative Writing student Alice K Stephens’ new play about coming out as trans came to the Lakeside Theatre in February 2024 and then went on to take the 2024 Pinch of Vault festival by storm, and was loved by Brighton Fringe audiences too.
BA Drama 2024 alum Isobel Sheard (The S is Silent) co-directs and delivers a spectacular supporting performance alongside trans actress Willow MacDonald (PECs, 11 Miles) and Robyn Faye (Les Enfant Terribles).
Headgate Theatre (Rehearsal Room), Friday 25 to Wednesday 30 October
Pup Play: A Queer Pseudo-Lecture (of sorts)
PhD Theatre Studies (by practice) student Noah Alfred Pantano presents a surprisingly introspective and chaotic search for identity featuring audience participation, homonormative puppet shows, kinky gay sex, and erotic musical numbers.
Noah said: “Pup Play is a controversial, unapologetic, and brave journey through gay fetish subculture. The play has already faced a torrent of angry emails, defaced and torn down posters, and a stern warning not to flyer on the street due to fear of hate crimes in Colchester (and the show hasn’t even been performed yet).
That’s why this piece was created and why students should come see it.
Pup Play, behind its silly masks and sex, is a stirring examination of the fears and joys queer identity can bring. It is based on real research by real people who all demand we do more to protect even the most different of subcultural kinky communities.
(Also Essex Students get 5£ tickets with code ESSEXLGBTQ so you might as well go just to support 🐶)”
Three Wise Monkeys, Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 October
My BF Wouldn’t Buy A Stupid Window (Why I Did and Don’t Regret It)
MA Scriptwriting student, amateur comedian and self-professed sex-icon, Jake Halimi, performs his hilarious queer stand-up show about a neurodivergent queer man and his obsession over a window found in a thrift sale.
Patch, Friday 25 and Saturday 26 October
I Deleted Hinge for Deliveroo
Taa Very Much Theatre Company are a new theatre company featuring Adult Nursing student Angharad and her friends.
This hilarious original show follows Robyn, “a single pringle who’s not quite worked out how to mingle” who is convinced to download Hinge in a quest to find love, but longs for the sweet embrace of her true love, Deliveroo.
Angharad, Tilly and Alex said: “We at TAA don’t mind making fools of ourselves, and we are sure this hilarious light-hearted cringeworthy debut production of ours will make you laugh.
Loosely, we repeat LOOSELY, based on real life stories or people we’ve met along the way, this show reassures audiences that it’s okay if your love life is not plain sailing. Everything happens for a reason and you may even end up meeting a fine distinguished Essex gentleman in the most bizarre way.
So why not watch Robyn and her pimp on their quest for love …. you may even get a side of fries.”
Headgate Theatre (Rehearsal Room), Friday 25 to Sunday 27 October
Creator is Present
Kraken Theatre are an emerging Colchester based theatre company made up entirely of Essex students and alumni.
An original play, written and directed by MLit Drama and Scriptwriting student Emma Kopf and featuring Shania-Grace Thompson and BA Film Studies 2024 graduate Peter Vetere (who will bring his own new writing production Zarbopulon 5 to the Lakeside Theatre in Spring 2025), Creator is Present explores the heart of the human experience through a mesmerising blend of absurdity and introspection.
Emma said: “Creator is Present questions the true essence of theatre and the reason why we as humans keep coming back to it so much. It opens our eyes up to the possibilities of storytelling and of its challenges too. The play completely ignores the fourth wall and acknowledges the audience’s presence as part of the show. While some scenes take place in the dark others are brought to the light and all the while the Protagonist never stops working. Hubris, seeing the Protagonist’s folly, one day decides to change this.
This is not merely a play – this is an invitation to explore what it really means to be part of our own story.”
Headgate Theatre (Rehearsal Room), Sunday 27 and Tuesday 29 October
The Little Prince
Another one from the Kraken Theatre team! Featuring a line-up of undergraduate drama students: Lolly Taylor, Tyler Reuben, Alice Bain, Eden Camara, Corey Lee and George Goddard.
Written and directed by Lolly Taylor and Tyler Reuben, The Little Prince has been adapted for the stage from the novella by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and is suitable for all ages!
The Kraken team said: “This new play, The Little Prince, takes the original story by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry and adapts it for a modern audience of all ages. The show includes puppetry, innovative blends of theatrical styles, a collection of colourful characters brought to life by six talented actors! We know that this play will resonate with every single one of you and we would love it if you could come and see it.
We can’t wait to see you there!”
Headgate Theatre (Main), Monday 28 and Tuesday 29 October
Blurred Lines
BA Drama 2023 alumni Bryony Palmer plays the lead role in a play which explores themes of consent and delves deep into what it really means.
Inspired by Andrew Bovell’s “Things I Know to be True”, this story explores the life of Poppy, who has been solo travelling Europe for the last three months. Lonely and longing for excitement, she meets a young man at a nightclub in Berlin, who sweeps her into his crazy world.
Bryony and Freddie of Aion Theatre said: “We’re Bryony and Freddie, the cast of Blurred Lines! Our show follows Rosie’s solo trip to Europe, where she meets Lucas, a man who pulls her into his chaotic world. Their whirlwind romance soon becomes complicated as secrets from that night threaten to unravel everything.
The play explores the complexities of consent: What is it? What constitutes consent? How has its meaning evolved in modern society?
Join us on October 26th at 8:30 PM and October 27th at 4:30 PM—we’d love to see you there! 🙂”
Headgate Theatre (Rehearsal Room), Saturday 26 and Sunday 27 October
Two Come Home
Two Come Home may not feature any Essex alumni, but this beautiful production had its World Premiere at the Lakeside Theatre in March 2024.
A decade after a dramatic split, star-crossed lovers reunite at the worst time. Guilt, rage, and love collide in this new play with music.
Mercury Theatre Studio, Tuesday 29 October to Sunday 3 November
Forest of Truth
While there is no Essex alumni or student presence Theatre Group GUMBO, the Kabuki theatre performers from Japan, were the Artist’s Pick winner at Colchester Fringe 2023 and you may have seen them on campus rehearsing with our own Noah Alfred Pantano!
Welcome to the Forest of Truth! Stepping through the boughs of the densest trees, Man and Woman ‘fall in love’. However, the mythical residents of the forest have other plans. An award-winning raunchy satire about LOVE.
Headgate Theatre (Main), Saturday 26 October to Sunday 3 November
We’re recruiting – join our theatre team!
Mon 21 Oct 2024
Join the Lakeside Theatre team!
Want to work in a dynamic environment? Of course you do!
We’re currently looking for talented and proactive technical assistants.
Take a look at our vacancy below:
Get working on your CV and Cover Letter now and please apply via the link above.
Applications close Monday 28 October at 12pm (midday).
If you have any questions, please email Harry Harris, the Lakeside Theatre Technical Manager at arts@essex.ac.uk.
Good luck!
Autumn 2024 season launches
Wed 28 Aug 2024
As the leaves begin to turn and a crisp breeze fills the air, we’re thrilled to welcome you to our exciting autumn season at the Lakeside Theatre!
This term, we are putting the spotlight on the incredible talent and creativity right here in our community, with a special focus on our brilliant student performers and creators.
Our new season celebrates the theme of ‘Homegrown Stories’, featuring multiple art forms that explore the rich tapestry of experiences that make our community unique. From thought-provoking dramas to a cabaret comedy, each performance promises to showcase the diverse voices and perspectives that thrive on our campus.
Highlights of our autumn line-up
2 Minutes to Shine
An original play written and performed by Literature and Sociology student Wanjiku Wanyeki, 2 Minutes to Shine explores acting theory through improvised scenes, challenging two students to tackle social issues and theatrical dilemmas whilst pushing moral boundaries.
Tuesday 26 and Wednesday 27 November, 7pm.
Windrush Secret
Rodreguez King-Dorset’s explosive one-man drama Windrush Secret, three clashing ideologies collide over the Windrush scandal, as a shocking personal revelation threatens to upend everything.
Saturday 12 October, 7pm.
Laugh Out Proud
An electrifying celebration of LGBTQIA+ talent bursts onto the stage with side-splitting comedy, dazzling cabaret, and everything in between – hosted by the brilliant Mark Cram, it’s the ultimate night out where everyone’s invited to be fabulously themselves!
Thursday 17 October, 8pm.
Students get involved
We’re also excited to announce expanded opportunities for student involvement this season.
Our monthly Open Mic programme invites talent in our community to take the stage in our friendly cosy café, and our behind the curtains workshops will offer hands-on experience in various aspects of theatre production with expert theatre makers to build confidence and make theatre more viable.
As always, we’re committed to making theatre accessible to all. We’re proud to offer student discounts, and free workshops throughout the season.
Homegrown
You’ll see a lot more of Homegrown this year, with us expanding the programme that develops performing arts talent at Essex outside of the classroom. You don’t need to be studying theatre to hone your skills as an actor, producer, writer, director, or technician at Essex!
Applications for our Homegrown slots are open!
This year students, staff and alumni can apply for a First Steps slot which offers an opportunity for new or early-stage productions to feature on our Studio stage, or a Next Level slot for the more advanced productions or theatre companies to bring a show to our mighty Main Stage!
Join us in celebrating the power of storytelling and the incredible talent that grows right here at home.
Don’t be shy
The Lakeside Theatre is “the best university theatre in the country” (thank you Dr Cam Abbott-Betts, Director of Colchester Fringe!) and we can’t wait to welcome you all through our doors.
If you want to be the first to find out about new show announcements and discover what goes on behind the scenes at the Lakeside Theatre, please sign up to our mailing list or follow us on Instagram, Facebook and X.
Launch Festival 2024
Fri 10 May 2024
Launch Festival 2024
It’s a four day festival of student theatre from the drama students of the Department of Literature, Film and Theatre studies at the University of Essex!
EXPLORE THE LAUNCH FESTIVAL 2024 LINE-UP
Join us each evening from 5pm to 9pm to support our drama students and help launch their careers as performers, theatre makers, artists and more.
The Lakeside Theatre Café will be open from 4.45pm to 9.30pm on Tuesday 14 to Friday 17 May for you to enjoy pre-show and interval refreshments.
Summer Term activity at the Lakeside
Fri 10 May 2024
Summer Term activity at the Lakeside Theatre
You may have noticed that our programme is much smaller this term than it has been in the Spring and Autumn.
This is because as well as being an active and commercial theatre, we are also heavily involved in the teaching, support and development of theatre and drama students in the Department of Literature, Film and Theatre Studies at the University of Essex and the Summer term is their main assessments period.
Our Technical Team are busy on a daily basis throughout the Summer term, working with drama and theatre students practically on their tech and rehearsals, helping them to get ready for their final performances.
The rest of our team are also working hard on planning the delivery of our programme for the Summer months, and planning the Autumn term programme (which we can promise will be packed full of Homegrown theatre, professional theatre performances, workshops and more!).
Make sure you come and see the final year drama students Individual Professional Practice performances during the Launch Festival, Tuesday 14 to Friday 17 May!