The Arc is a community arts venue located in Caterham, Surrey and opened in February 2010. Led by an experienced, dedicated Creative Team of actors, directors and practitioners. The Arc offers a wide range of creative, imaginative and enriching workshops, activities and events for children and young people of all ages. With plenty of free parking, delicious on-site café and bistro – The Arc is also the ideal venue for INSET training.

“Thank you for letting us see your amazing version of The Snow Queen. It was very entertaining and we all enjoyed it, we all liked the Trolls although everyone performed well. It was fun to watch members of our school in the play and we could tell everyone worked hard on it. Thank you for giving us an extraordinary, absolutely amazing Christmas treat.” Lorna Dormett, Literacy Co-Coordinator St Francis School, Caterham

The Arc is led by experienced theatre practitioner Beth Wood. Beth is the Artistic Director of The Arc and ACT Theatre Company. Other directing credits include Renaissance Theatre Company (with Kenneth Brannagh) in the West End, Hull Truck, A61 & Cultural Talk in Moscow, Thailand, France & Germany & 8 years at the Thorndike in Leatherhead. Her most recent show was The Music Inside, in conjunction with the Foundling Museum. Beth is also a consultant for SYCC 4S & writes Drama for Longmans Shakespeare Books.

The Arc can offer a wide range of workshops from KS1 – KS4 including Aesop’s Fables, Greek Myths, Shakespeare, Physical Theatre as well as work on set texts, performance techniques and issues such as bullying, homophobia and disability awareness. They can also create bespoke workshops, courses and performances on any given theme, practitioner or subject matter. Beth Wood is also hugely experienced in GCSE speaking and listening exams and regularly asses for 4S and SCC.

The Arc’s past touring work has included a six month tour of The Tempest, Every Child Matters and Jason and Medea which saw four actors go into primary and secondary schools, working with a class of pupils leading to a production at the end of the school day with props, costumes, sound and lights. They have arranged for performances to take place at professional venues such as the Leatherhead Theatre, Harlequin Redhill or here at The Arc. This give students an insight into professional theatre, increases confidence, promotes responsibility and team building and celebrating their achievement in front of a live audience.

The Arc also offer:

• INSET training for staff

• Citizenship Projects / Every Child Matters

• Healthy Schools Week

• Residencies at The Arc or at your school

• A rolling creative programme of Dance, Drama and Art classes and events at The Arc

• Dance workshops in schools. Themes include cultural dance, historic dances, creative dance for juniors and

choreography masterclasses

Key information

• Young G&T accredited provider
• Work Experience provider
• Summer Festival
• All tutors CRB checked
• Public Liability insurance
• PPL insurance
• Partnerships with East Surrey College, Harlequin Theatre, and Leatherhead Theatre