Introduction to Theatre in Criminal Justice Settings

Clean Break and Geese Theatre present an introduction to the work of two leading organisations in the field of theatre in criminal justice settings.

Participants will gain unique insights into how Clean Break and Geese safely bring theatre workshops to prisons and community settings, and how you can incorporate the companies' learnings into your own practice.

This one-day training is for theatre makers who are interested in delivering workshops in prisons and community settings. You could be a facilitator, director, playwright or simply interested in the work of the two theatre companies.

Through a practical learning setting involving drama and theatre exercises, group work and discussion, participants will:

• learn about the companies' different working practices
• understand the principles and theory underpinning their work
• explore best practice in the field of arts in criminal justice settings

For decades, Clean Break and Geese Theatre have been using theatre to make lasting impact in the lives of people with experience of the criminal justice system, or who are at risk of entering it.

Anna Herrmann, Artistic Director of Clean Break and Andy Watson MBE, Artistic Director of Geese Theatre, have a combined track record of over 45 years with the companies. They are both long-standing members of the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance and are regular visiting lecturers on a range of Applied Theatre under-graduate and post-graduate courses.

Anna Herrmann has been working in the field of theatre and social change for thirty years, specialising in theatre and participation in the UK and abroad. She has been with Clean Break since 2002 as the Head of Education, leading the company’s award-winning work with women in the criminal justice system and women at risk of entering it. With Clean Break she has directed Through This Mist (co-directed with Róisín McBrinn), Sweatbox (national tour and film), Not Pretty Like The Rainbow (national tour), Catch (national tour) and Scenes from Lost Mothers (national tour). Anna has been an active member of the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance for over a decade.

Andy Watson trained in Paris at the Lecoq School of Mime and Physical Theatre, joining Geese Theatre Company in 1997 as an actor/groupworker, and becoming Artistic Director / CEO in 2003. He was appointed MBE in the 2018 New Year Honours List for Services to the Arts in the Criminal Justice System.

If you would like to attend this training in Manchester instead of London, we have an alternative date coming up in Manchester in November 2025. Book here.

Free spaces for people with lived experience

A limited number of bursary places are available to anyone who has direct personal (not professional) experience of the criminal justice system.

To apply for these, please write explaining your interest in the training event to [email protected] marking your email with BURSARY REQUEST in the subject heading no later than four weeks before the training date.

If you have any access requirements you would like us to be aware of, please contact [email protected] and let us know.

Open to participants of any gender.

Ticket Refunding Policy

We understand that sometimes circumstances change and you may not be able to attend our training sessions after booking.  

Unfortunately, we cannot offer refunds to any of our training sessions once a ticket has been booked.  

If you can no longer attend a session you booked on to you can: 

• Edit your booking, to transfer your ticket to someone else by changing your ticket details. Read more from Eventbrite here. 
• Enquire about moving your ticket to a different time/date, depending on availability. 

If we cancel or postpone a training session, we will always offer you the option to rebook or refund your ticket. 

Please contact us through Eventbrite, or at [email protected] 

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

Get App

Host or Publisher Clean Break