Young Tauranga theatre makers will be treated to expert storytelling advice at a Baycourt Commuity & Arts Centre workshop next month.

The Tauranga venue is partnering with acclaimed professional Auckland ensemble Massive Theatre Company to deliver a free taster workshop on Wednesday October 7, from 9am to 3pm.

Run by Massive Company's founder and artistic director Sam Scott MNZM, and actor and tutor Villa Lemanu, the workshop is open to anyone aged 15-18 living in Tauranga Moana. Previous theatre experience is not required.

'Tauranga is truly spoiled with an abundance of gifted and insightful young storytellers, so when Massive offered to deliver their free taster workshop at Baycourt we leaped at the opportunity,” says manager James Wilson.

'This workshop is the first phase of a larger body of work we're working on in collaboration with Massive as part of our Made in Tauranga initiative which is focussed on sharing Tauranga stories with our Tauranga community.”

Massive is a contemporary physical ensemble theatre company which creates new theatre works, inspired by real stories, alongside emerging and professional Kiwi actors, directors and writers.

Under the watchful eye of Scott and Lemanu, participants will be asked to bring their story ideas to the October workshop which they will work on with other young creatives to create theatre pieces from.

At the conclusion of the workshop participants will also learn more about a new Made in Tauranga project which Massive have been commissioned to develop in 2021.

As part of Made in Tauranga, Baycourt commissions professional artists to work with members of the community to create works which explore the challenges, opportunities and stories of Tauranga and the Bay of Plenty.

James Massive will return to Tauranga in the summer for a residency that will explore the stories of our local community. He hopes that this residency may lead to a new theatre work at Baycourt that is uniquely of and about Tauranga.

'Who knows? If you come to the free workshop in October then your stories and ideas may become the foundations of a future world premiere. Wouldn't that be absolutely amazing!”

The workshop will take place on the big Addison Theatre stage and spaces will be limited to 30 people. All young creatives who are interested in participating will need to register their interest with Baycourt before Thursday 1 October.

To register for the free Massive Theatre Company Taster Workshop, visit the Baycourt Community & Arts Centre website at bit.ly/massiveworkshop_baycourt .

Registrations close midnight – Thursday October 1.