Residents are being invited to step into the spotlight this spring as Clacton’s Princes Theatre launches an exciting new series of evening performance workshops for adults.

Led by experienced theatre practitioner Melissa Wenn, the three part programme offers residents the chance to explore acting, improvisation and musical storytelling in a welcoming, supportive and professional theatre environment.

Whether you’ve always fancied giving acting a go, want to build confidence, or are simply looking for a fun and inspiring evening out, these workshops are designed to be accessible, engaging and enjoyable.

Running from April to June at the Tendring District Council run (TDC) venue, the workshops are open to anyone aged over 18 and beginners are warmly welcomed.

Melissa, who also runs the Princes Youth Theatre and the Princes Acting Centre, said she was thrilled to offer people the chance to join the new adult acting classes.

“The workshops are open to everyone — no previous experience is needed, and there’s no upper age limit,” she said.

“It’s never too late to learn new skills, challenge yourself creatively, and rediscover the joy of performance, whether you’ve always dreamed of acting or just want to step outside your comfort zone.”

The programme opens with Improvisation Essentials on Thursday, 15 April. This lively introductory workshop encourages participants to think on their feet, listen actively and work together through playful, guided exercises that build spontaneity and creative confidence — all in a relaxed and encouraging setting.

Next up is Character and Script Analysis on Friday, 1 May. This session delves into how actors bring stories to life, offering practical tools to explore character motivation, relationships and meaning within a script. Participants will gain clear techniques that can be used across a wide range of theatre styles, helping demystify the acting process and unlock more confident performance choices.

The series concludes with Acting Through Song on Friday 9 June. Ideal for anyone curious about musical theatre, this workshop explores how acting and singing work together to tell a story. Focusing on character intention and emotional clarity, the session shows how songs can become powerful storytelling moments — with no previous vocal training needed.

Councillor Gary Scott, TDC’s Cabinet Member for Arts, Culture and Heritage, said the workshops reflect the authority’s commitment to creating opportunities and raising aspirations for people of all ages.

“Our theatre is a place where residents can do more than watch performances — it’s somewhere they can take part, learn new skills and build confidence,” he said.

“These adult workshops are a fantastic opportunity for people to step outside their comfort zone, meet new people and reconnect with their creativity in a supportive environment.”

Each workshop, which runs from 7pm to 9pm, costs £20, with a £50 package available for those booking all three sessions.

Tickets are on sale now via the Princes Theatre website at princestheatre.co.uk or can also be booked through the Box Office on 01255 686633.

Image shows the cast of the Princes Acting Centre’s production of last month’s Come From Away, which was directed by Melissa Wenn.