Interested in translating for the stage and engaging with international theatre in a hands-on way?

Join us for a three-part, practice-based workshop series exploring the art of theatre translation. Each session focuses on a key aspect of bringing plays to life in new languages and cultures. Designed from 15 years of experience working with plays in translation—and shaped by feedback from past participants—these workshops offer real-world insights and creative strategies for theatre-makers.

Led by Co-Artistic Director Trine Garrett, the series draws on over a decade of experience sharing world theatre, including nine UK/world premieres and contributions to more than 30 new English translations. We’re excited to share our journey with you!

Below, you’ll find all the workshop details, but if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

What Each Session Covers

#1 Translator as Theatre-Maker: Context & Specificity: Translation isn’t a straight path—it’s a journey of choices, discoveries, and creative problem-solving. How do we move between languages, cultures, and artistic practices while staying true to a play’s essence? This workshop explores the translator’s role as a theatre-maker, the balance between faithfulness and creative adaptation, and why specificity is everything when bringing a script to life.

#2 Working with Actors & Directors: Collaboration & Play: Translators don’t work in isolation. This workshop explores what happens when a translation enters the rehearsal room—how to engage in playful collaboration with actors and directors while understanding the translator’s unique role in the process. When do you hold your ground, and when do you embrace creative flexibility? Together we will navigate this dynamic.

#3 Getting a Play On: The Business of Theatre Translation: It’s tough out there—but we believe in finding ways to make it happen. This session explores various paths to getting a translated play in front of the right people: from pitching to finding collaborators and navigating the intricacies of the industry. Or as one translator once put it, ‘the journey of a translation’. Let’s explore these paths together and share strategies for getting your work out in the world.

What We’ll Be Doing: Each workshop will focus on a different stage of the page-to-stage journey. Through interactive exercises, discussions, and creative exploration, you’ll:

• Deepen Your Craft: Engage with the unique challenges of theatre translation—where text isn’t just read, but spoken, embodied, and brought to life.
• Collaborate and Create: Take part in creative exercises, group discussions, and practical work to explore cultural context, artistic choices, and the translator’s role in the theatre-making process.
• Build Connections: Meet fellow theatre-makers and translators, exchange ideas, and discover opportunities for future collaboration.

Takeaways:

• Practical insights into working with plays in translation—from craft and creativity to the business side.
• New strategies to enhance your translation and theatre-making skills.
• A network of peers and professionals to support your work and foster future collaborations.

Who It’s For: This workshop is open to translators, theatre-makers, and anyone passionate about language and live performance. All experience levels are welcome in this supportive space to experiment, ask questions, and share ideas.

When It’s Happening

• Thursday 3 April, 14:30-17:30: Translator as Theatre-Maker
• Thursday 1 May, 14:30-17:30: Working with Actors & Directors
• Thursday 5 June, 14:30-17:30: Getting a Play On

Schedule

• 14:30-15:00: Arrival, tea, coffee and refreshments
• 15:00-17:00: Workshop (including a 10-minute break)
• 17:00-17:30: Wrap-up and networking

Before and after each session everyone will have time to connect, reflect, and ease in and out of the session. We’ll also be around to chat all things theatre and translation.

How Much It Costs: Thanks to the generous support of the TNL Community Fund and Arts Council England, this session is free of charge. However, if you’re able to, we’d greatly appreciate any donations to help us continue offering these opportunities.

Get In Touch: If you have any questions, please first check out our FAQs on our website. If you still need assistance, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected].