Welcome to STEP!

STEP is a borough-wide partnership linking the theatre community and education and youth sector in the London Borough of Southwark. STEP encourages Southwark’s young people to achieve their full potential through the creative force of theatre and performing arts activities.

Find out what STEP can do for you:

What's On

  • Training
    London Bubble: 'LB+' Practical theatre training for 16+
    London Bubble
    LB+ is a fun and practical way to learn more about the arts and potentially start work even if you have no other qualifications.  London Bubble Theatre Company is recruiting 16-20 year olds to take part in LB+. This new training programme which...
  • Workshop
    Shape: 'Articulate' One Day Conference
    Imperial War Museum, SE1 6HZ
    Shape is running 'Articulate', a one-day conference for young people aged 14-25 who have a learning disability, and is focussed on discussing their aspirations for the future beyond school and college. The programme for the day includes a theatre...
  • Performance
    Theatre Local: Belong
    Theatre Local (Bussey Building, Peckham)
    ‘Supporters keh. Forget this country. How many year have you lived here…? Your English is better than the Queen’s and they still call you…’
  • Performance
    Theatre Local: Vera Vera Vera
    Theatre Local (Bussey Building, Peckham)
    The boy who comes back from a war far away in a wooden box is glorified and called a hero. As the funeral plans are made in a small Kent town, his siblings squabble over who he was. Maybe the fanfare isn’t needed for this heroic martyr. Vera...
  • Workshop
    Southwark Arts Forum: Creative Solidarity Networking Events
    The New Gallery in Peckham
    Creative Solidarity: Supporting the creative industries Creative solidarity is a series of five networking events to be run in London by Southwark Arts Forum (SAF) during 2012 and launching on 16th February 2012.
  • Performance
    The Globe to Globe Festival: 37 Plays, 37 Languages
    Shakespeare's Globe
    This Spring Shakespeare’s Globe is presenting the Globe to Globe Festival – all 37 of Shakespeare’s plays in 37 different languages by 37 different theatre companies from around the world. More information can be found here. The...
  • Performance
    Blue Elephant: Underfoot / For How Much?
    Blue Elephant Theatre
    A double-bill of contemporary dance exploring what we share – and what we refuse to share Underfoot, choreographed and performed by Katja Nyqvist, is a sideways look at our common ground, uncovering fresh perspectives as it zooms and shifts...
  • Performance
    Blue Elephant: Machines for Living
    Blue Elephant Theatre
    ‘Reclaim the heavens! Cities in the sky! Concrete solutions!’ Two architects believe they can design life and move into the tower block they have built; engineered to encourage kinship and social harmony. But can their marriage survive...
  • Workshop
    National Theatre: Open Rehearsal for Moon On A Rainbow Shawl Company Warm-Up
    Pop-Up Workshop
    Have you ever wondered how actors prepare for a performance? Drop in on the members of the Moon on a Rainbow Shawl company, as they warm up before the show, and find out.  Suitable for families and children aged 11+
  • Performance
    Unicorn Theatre: The Man with the Disturbingly Smelly Foot
    Unicorn Theatre
    Ages 7-10 He’s furious. Some say his hate is the only thing still keeping him alive. The Trojan War. You’ve heard of Achilles and Odysseus, but have you heard of Philoctetes? Probably not, because although Philoctetes signed up to go and...
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Testimonials

Young people in Southwark are amongst our most talented and most creative - they are the ambassadors and trailblazers remaking our culture in one of London's most historic, and most vibrant boroughs. STEP is an important part of giving them the platform they need to do this, and I'm proud to be a part of this initiative.

Riz Ahmed (STEP Patron since 2009)

It has been fantastic to see how organisations such as STEP are supporting the delivery of the Diploma. Providing students with opportunities to learn outside of the classroom is a vital part of the Diploma and it is important that organisations within the community work together to give young people the opportunity to gain practical experience.

Ed Balls MP (STEP Creative and Media Work Experience Programme 2009)

Drama is very important. Some people are good at reading and writing. Some people are good at maths. And some people are good at drama, at acting and drama is very important because it allows us to experience things from another point of view.

Simon Hughes MP (STEP Festival 2007)

The importance of drama and theatre in the lives of young people is immeasurable. Involvement in drama is essential in enabling young people living in today’s society to feel confident to express themselves, to feel empathy with other people and to develop key life skills. The creative experiences and activities that STEP offers to young people are enabling all of this, and more, to happen right here in Southwark.

Martin Freeman (STEP Festival 2006)

The Festival is a marvellous way to inspire young people and get them more involved in the magical realm of theatre. I was impressed by the wonderful range of things to see and do… The Festival has clearly struck an impressive balance between engaging young people in enjoyable activities and providing real support and recognition for the incredible work teachers do on a daily basis in schools.

Tessa Jowell MP (STEP Festival 2005)

Congratulations on starting this initiative. The reason it’s important for me is because theatre isn’t academic – you have to get up on your feet and participate and experience it and that chance to perform should be available to all of us. STEP can make that possible in Southwark. The beauty of theatre is that it allows us to discover our place in society. Why? Because all the world’s a stage.

Ian McKellen (STEP Festival 2004)
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