Crowland Amateur Dramatic Society (CADS) starts academy offering free theatre workshops this autumn
Youngsters will be able to learn the ropes when a theatre academy starts in the autumn.
The Crowland Amateur Dramatics Society, CADS Academy, is offering 30 places to youngsters aged seven - 17 to take part in free theatre workshops.
Six weeks of sessions start on Monday September 8 at South View Primary School teaching skills in make-up, lighting, sound, costume and working backstage.
Lucy Merryweather, producer and committee member at CADS, said: “We want to open it up to children who have never done this before.
“They don’t need to be on stage necessarily, but so something else.
“You might have that child who loves to design dresses or is happy to help with music or backstage.”
Lucy, who works as a catering assistant at The Deepings School, is passionate about youngsters learning all areas of theatre.
She said: “Each week we will do something different - close the curtains or go in the lighting box.
“They may find the love of theatre and pick drama at secondary school.
“They may be on the West End one day.”
Lucy produced the society’s production The Wizard of Oz which has been voted by NODA to be in the running for best pantomime.
Theatre runs in the family as her daughter Nancy Hill, 14, who played Dorothy in the show is also up for an award.
Lucy, who starred in Alice in Wonderland, said: “I am producing this panto coming and including 2026 it will be my third time producing.
“The six weeks of the academy leads us into auditions for the panto.
“It is a highlight watching the children and the way they grow in confidence.”
Although it is a huge commitment for the busy mum of three, Lucy hopes that one day the young members who join the academy will go on to play the Dame in a pantomime.
She said: “I do it for the kids.
“You may see a certain child who is quite shy and then by the end they have a massive smile on their face.
“It is rewarding when the parents thank you for what you have done.
Registration opens for the workshops in July and the CADS pantomime takes place on Friday and Saturday, February 13, 14 in 2026.
Visit Crowland Amateur Dramatic Society on Facebook for further details.
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