The Answers to All Your Questions
What is sensory theatre?
Sensory theatre uses sound, movement, touch, texture, music, objects, atmosphere and imagination as part of the storytelling process. Rather than relying on spoken language or visual storytelling alone, we explore how stories can be experienced through the senses.
Who is your work for?
Our work is primarily created for children and young people with complex sensory needs, including those with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD), neurodivergence and sensory impairments/ processing differences.
Many of the young people we work with experience barriers to accessing and connecting with conventional forms of theatre. Our sensory theatre and workshops explore alternative routes into stories and theatrical experiences.Â
What happens during a session?
Sessions usually include a warm up and cool down exercise that bookends the main sensory exploration narrative. This can include sensory storytelling, movement, music, creative play, character exploration and sensory experimentation. Each session responds to the group and can change depending on their interests, energy and communication.
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Can families access your workshops?
Whether parents and carers can attend depends on the programme and setting. For school-based work, sessions are generally delivered within the school alongside the staff supporting the young people.
We also offer selected workshops and creative projects for families and community groups, as well as private events such as birthday parties and celebrations.
Keep an eye on our upcoming opportunities or get in touch to find out what’s currently available.
Do you offer one-off workshops or longer programmes?
We offer both one-off workshops and longer-term creative programmes, depending on the setting and project.
Can our school book a sensory theatre workshop?
Yes. We offer commissioned sensory theatre workshops for schools, charities and community organisations.
Do young people attending need to speak or perform?
No. There is no expectation to speak, perform or participate in one particular way. Communication can happen through movement, sound, gesture, facial expression, choice, attention or simply being present.
How can I work with Now in a Minute?
We work with schools, charities, community organisations, artists, therapists, researchers, families and other partners. If you have an idea for a project, we'd love to hear from you.
Can I join an advisory group?
We are developing advisory groups bringing together teachers, therapists, artists, parents/carers, people with lived experience, supporters and other professionals to help shape our work.
Do you offer training?
Yes. We are developing a range of learning opportunities for artists, actors, educators and other professionals, available both online and in person.
These will include artist and actor residencies, 1:1 mentoring, online learning resources and guided volunteer opportunities, creating different ways to explore sensory theatre and inclusive creative practice.
Our training is designed to bring together skills from theatre, education and disability practice, helping participants develop practical approaches they can take into their own work.
Do I need experience in acting or working in disability arts?
No. Our training is designed for people from a range of professional backgrounds and experience levels.
Ella's background is in actor training, which she has adapted through her work in sensory theatre and specialist schools. Her experience working directly in classrooms has also shown how theatrical approaches can be translated into practical tools for education and support settings.
You don't need to be an actor, have formal acting training or have previously worked in disability arts. What matters most is curiosity, openness and a willingness to explore different ways of communicating and creating.
Our training aims to act as a bridge between theatre, education and disability practice. Bringing together skills from each community to create richer, more responsive creative experiences for children and young people.
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