Peer News
Stay in the loop with all things Peer. Read our latest news here and follow our socials.
It’s ADHD Awareness Month!
Here’s 3 ways our Artistic Director’s ADHD has benefitted Peer!
New Name - Same Brilliant Programme!
In consultation with our brilliant PEP artists, we’ve decided to change the name of our specialist training programme for young actors and theatre-makers with learning disabilities.
Peer Actor Development (PAD) Open evening
Book your place now for our open evening for sixth formers eager to explore our Peer Actor Development Programme!
Are you an aspiring actor ready to leap into the professional scene? Unsure about your next steps after sixth form? Dreaming of drama school but feeling uncertain? Maybe your child is eyeing a career in theatre, and you want to ensure they have the right support?
5 tips to ace your recall
5 tips to ace your Peer Actor Development Programme recall. Don’t be nervous, we want you to succeed! Bring your whole self to the audition, have fun and show us your talent.
FREE Resources for Drama Teachers
We are pleased to announce the launch of our Drama Teachers’ Pack and full length digital production of Masking which, together with our PSHE Teachers’ Pack, can be accessed for free on our website.
Empowering Young Learning Disabled Actors Through The Story of Us
In the heart of every individual lies a story waiting to be told, a narrative that defines their unique journey through life. At Peer Productions, we believe in amplifying the voices of those who need to be heard and especially those of young learning-disabled actors and creatives. Through the generous support of Arts Council England, our project, "The Story of Us," has embarked on a mission to empower our Peer Employment Pathway actors to share their narratives with the world.
Our journey has been a profound learning curve, filled with challenges and triumphs as we navigate the delicate balance of empowering these young artists whilst maintaining their mental wellbeing.
Buy Masking - a play for young minds
We’re excited to announce that, to coincide with our new tour, our Artistic Director Nina Lemon’s play Masking has been published by expert theatre publishers Salamander Street,
If you’re a drama teacher on the lookout for a compelling play that resonates with young performers and audiences alike, you’ve landed in the right place.
Funding News!
Great news! We’ve been awarded a grant of £11,462 from The National Lottery Community Fund.
A Year at Peer
As the curtain falls on 2023, we're thrilled to share the incredible journey we've had at Peer, a trailblazing youth arts charity nestled in the heart of Woking, Surrey. If this is your first encounter with us, welcome to the vibrant world of Peer – where we are on a mission to transform young lives through the magic of theatre.
The Peer Guide to self taping
Here at Peer we know that self-tape auditions can be stressful. We want to make sure that you have all the information you need, not just for audition for us but also guidance on how to approach drama school auditions.
Our auditions are changing…
Big news! We’re changing how we manage applications for the Peer Actor Development Programme. This is so that we can get to know more young actors, widening the talent pool available, and helping more young people to take their first steps in their creative careers.
Queer Productions?
For most of us who work in this field saying an actor training programme is LGBTQIA+ friendly seems so obvious that it shouldn’t need to be said. Arts company welcomes queer young people is hardly headline news! We, as staff and students at Peer discussed whether we even wanted to post about this. Would we look too ‘try hard’ or like virtual signalling. But, having thought about it, if only one young person felt safer applying for a Peer Programme knowing that who they are will be respected and celebrated, then we can stomach the ick factor.
Why Peer Productions Focuses exclusively on Young People: A longer read by Artistic Director Nina Lemon
Our Artistic Director explains why our focus specifically on young people is essential to the ongoing success and sustainability of the charity.
Drama Inspiration award
Our Artistic Director Nina Lemon received the Drama Inspiration Awards at the Music and Drama Education Awards.
Sometimes you have to kill your darlings!
Here at Peer, we are currently in the final stages of rehearsing my latest play Masking. It reaches its first audience in ten days time and yesterday, on the same day that the cast ran ‘books down’ for the first time, I decided to undertake quite a radical rewrite.
New Year, New course, New Brilliant team members.
Welcome Dr. Hannah Newman and Sophie Maher.
Last Call for young Actors!
When a young person comes to train with Peer they receive individual bespoke support, training and masterclasses. They also have the opportunity to share their skills more broadly in the community performing plays and delivering workshops for children and young people. During their time with Peer, they become part of thriving, working theatre company gaining a unique insight into how a theatre company functions. They are the life blood of the organisation without whom a great deal of the impact we have an our community would not be possible.