Birmingham Rep Open Day - Sat 22 Jun 2024
Open day is back!
Join us on site at The Rep on Sat 22 Jun for a day of free activities for theatre lovers of all ages, and go behind the scenes of Birmingham’s only producing theatre.
Doors will be open from 10am – 4pm, with the chance to see how a working theatre operates with guided tours, technical demonstrations, workshops, heritage talks, incredible garments in The Rep’s costume sale, and a department wide Q and A.
Events marked with a star (*) require sign-up, so please head to the welcome desk on the day to register your interest.
Please note, with the exception of our access guided tour, events cannot be booked in advance of arrival.
Find out more about what you can discover…
Backstage Tours*
Join The Rep’s dedicated volunteers as they take you on a backstage tour around Birmingham Rep’s fascinating theatre building. Learn about The Rep’s long theatrical history and take a peek at backstage spaces usually closed to the public, including the huge workshop and paintshop where sets are created from scratch for Rep productions. The tour lasts 45 minutes and will finish in time for you to join a heritage talk in the suites, located off the mezzanine.
Guided Tours can only be booked in person on the day. We have introduced a staggered booking system, with morning tours available to book from 10am, and bookings for afternoon tours open from 12pm.
This year we are introducing an access tour at 10am, available to members of The Rep’s access scheme. Places on this tour can be booked in advance by emailing REPaccess@birmingham-rep.co.uk. There are 15 places available, which will be allocated on a first come first served basis. Your space will be confirmed by return email. Further access places are available upon request at our 12.30pm tour.
If a guided tour is not for you, please consider our Free Flow Tours. Follow the Free Flow tour signs marked out around the building, with stops at points of interests where our Volunteers are stationed, ready to share their knowledge about different aspects of The Rep.
Costume Sale
Enjoy access to The Rep’s Studio theatre with a rare chance to riffle through rails of fabulous items and outfits from our costume stores. Our renowned wardrobe department has been making costumes in our current building for 50 years. With show stopping costumes, beautiful handmade pieces, and hidden gems including shoes and accessories spanning a huge array of styles, periods and characters, you really won’t want to miss it!
This year we will be granting exclusive access to the costume sale from 10-11am to Friends of the Rep only – just show your membership card on entry and then get shopping! Visit our Rep Friends webpage to read more about the benefits of being a Friend, including priority booking and exclusive discounts, or to join today.
After 11am, access will be granted to the general public. Just remember, when it’s gone it’s gone, so make sure you get there early to grab the best finds. All funds raised will towards supporting the charitable status of The Rep in providing theatre for everyone. Remember to think green and bring your own bags!
Open Day 2023. Photography by Graeme Braidwood.
Open Day 2023. Photography by Graeme Braidwood.
Open Day 2023. Photography by Graeme Braidwood.
Open Day 2023. Photography by Graeme Braidwood.
Production and Technical Demonstrations
Find out backstage secrets with fascinating interactive demonstrations from The Rep’s leading Technical and Production team. Experience how the magic of live theatre happens!
Learn from our professionals in lighting, sound, costume, carpentry and stage management.
Open Day 2023. Photography by Graeme Braidwood.
Interactive Workshops for Young People
Join The Rep’s renowned Creative Learning team for a series of four workshops throughout the day:
10.30am – 11.30am: Interactive storytelling workshop for ages 3-6
11.45am – 12.45pm and 1 – 2: Drama skills workshop for ages 7-11
2.15pm – 3.15pm: Performance skills workshop for ages 11-16
All workshops will have a sign-up sheet from 10am onwards with a limit of 25 participants per workshop so be sure to get signed up as soon as you arrive!
Young Rep Performances
Enjoy live entertainment, as our Juniors and Seniors groups perform extracts of their upcoming plays from this summer’s Love + Rebellion festival!
Catch their performances near Box Office, at 11.30am from our Young Rep Juniors and 2.45pm from our Young Rep Seniors.
Open Day 2023. Photography by Graeme Braidwood.
Arts and Crafts
This year, as well as getting creative at our arts and crafts station, you will also have the opportunity to try on some of our costumes and take selfies at our Rep and Repeat stand. Come and see who you can be!
Remember to tag us in your stories @REPTAKEPART. All ages welcome.
Blood and Gore Makeup
Experience first-hand the skills of theatrical make up and see just how realistic it can look! Open to the public from 10am – 1pm, grab your chance to get your very own fake cut or scar.
We are not charging a set price for this service but would kindly ask you to consider a donation. This will go toward the make- up artist’s time and supplies. Thank you.
Careers in the Arts & CV Help
Chat to The Rep’s People team to find out more about the range of careers available in the arts and the best ways to get into theatre. This is your opportunity to get CV advice from HR industry experts, and learn about some of the great opportunities and vacancies The Rep has to offer. Meet some of The Rep’s very own home-grown emerging artists and sign up to get one 1:1 advice on your CV, all from 10am.
Q and A
From 3.15pm, head to the main House stage where we will be hosting a Q and A panel discussion with Team Rep. Meet staff from different departments, ask them about their role, what it’s really like to work in the theatre industry, and how they came to be a part of The Rep team.
Open Day 2023. Photography by Graeme Braidwood.
Open Day 2023. Photography by Graeme Braidwood.
Open Day 2023. Photography by Graeme Braidwood.
Open Day 2023. Photography by Graeme Braidwood.
Timetable
Front of House
10am – 4pm Welcome Desk
10am – 3.15pm Careers Desk
Guided Tours*
Every half an hour from 10am, lasting 45 minutes. Last tour starts at 2.30pm
The House
10.00am – 3.15pm Free Flow Tours & Technical Demonstrations
Please note, there will be staggered breaks for the technicians from 12pm-1pm
3.15pm – 4pm Q and A Panel with Rep staff
The Foyer
10am – 1pm Blood and Gore make up
11.30 am Young Rep Juniors Performance
2.45 pm Young Rep Seniors Performance
The Studio
10.00am – 3.15pm Costume Sale
10 – 11am Friends only access (Rep Friends must show their membership cards on entry)
11am onwards General public access
The Cafe
10.00am – 3.15pm 1:1 careers and CV support*
The Mezzanine
10.00am – 4.00pm Arts and Crafts
10.00am – 4.00pm Rep and Repeat (props and costume)
Meeting Room 1
History and Heritage Talks
Every half an hour, beginning from 10.30am
Meeting Room 2
Drama Workshops*
10.30am – 11.30am Interactive Story telling workshop ages 3-6
11.45am – 12.45pm and 1pm – 2pm Drama Skills workshop ages 7-11
2.15pm – 3.15pm Performance skills workshop ages 11-16
*Sign up required (Sign up to these events when you arrive)