Deafinitely Youth Theatre Is Back!

Finally, it's here! We are very excited to welcome back our Deafinitely Youth for workshops running from October 2nd to February 5th. Every second Saturday you can build up your acting skills with a theatre Director, before creating a production throughout February half term (14th - 18th). The showcase will be performed on a real theatre stage, with your friends and family in the audience, on Saturday 19th. 

All workshops are free and will run from 11am - 4pm every second Saturday, except Christmas Day. Rehearsals will be every day from 11am - 4pm during half term. 

Deafinitely Youth is for people who are aged 14 - 21 and use BSL / SSE, whether you are deaf, HoH or hearing. Each workshop has two interpreters to support everyone’s communication style and takes place in locations with either step-free or lift access. Deafinitely Theatre will always ask about access requirements so that we can support everyone to do their best work and to have the best time possible!  

We are looking forward to receiving your application - please fill out the form.

There will be an opportunity to also complete an Arts Award certificate. 

Term Dates

2nd October
16th October  23 October
30th October 
13th November 
27th November 
11th December
8th January 
22nd January 
5th Feb 

Rehearsal week, 11 - 4
14th - 17th February 

Tech day, 10 - 6:30 
18th February 

Performance day, 10 - 7
19th February 

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director

Mary-Jayne

Mary-Jayne Russell de Clifford is a theatre maker and workshop facilitator, passionate about Deaf theatre and empowering people through the use of theatre and drama. Mary-Jayne has worked as a freelance drama facilitator, workshop leader, scriptwriter, BSL story-teller, workshop leader and theatre director. 

Mary-Jayne Russell de Clifford graduated from the University of Reading in 2005 with a degree in Theatre Arts, Education and Deaf Studies. Since then, she has worked as a freelance drama facilitator, drama workshop leader, scriptwriter, BSL story-teller, worship leader and theatre director. 

In her recent work before lockdown, Mary-Jayne worked with Vamos Theatre, leading mask workshops, and founded two separate residential theatre summer school weeks. 

She has also worked with the Technical Theatre BSL glossary project and has facilitated workshops at 3D (Derby Deaf Drama), DaDaFest and InteGreat Theatre.

Professionally, she has undertaken work experience and a fundraising show with Deafinitely Theatre between 2004 and 2009: "Vagina Monologue", "Lipstick and Lollipop" and "Double Sentence". With the British Deaf Association: "Cinderella" and at DaDaFest, Liverpool and Graeae Theatre "The Diary of an Action Man", and with Reading University Drama Society (RUDS) "Electra", "Cabaret" and "Grease". 

Her last stage management role was when she was touring with a theatre group that she had founded, called DeDrama Theatre, which she is currently re-establishing.

Additionally she also graduated from the London Academy of Music and Drama (LAMDA) with a diploma in Stage Management.