We also run the Black Swan Pub and Theatre in North Walsham. New Stages runs creative community projects, classes and theatre in North Walsham and North Norfolk. We are a Community Interest Company which means we are not-for-profit as a social enterprise - so funds raised go straight back into our project and activities! We run North Norfolk Youth Theatre (classes for 8-12s and 13-17s), an adult a
cting group, North Walsham Pop Up People's Theatre and North Walsham People’s Choir. All classes are designed to be friendly, engaging and fun. Classes take place in North Walsham and participants come from the local area and across North Norfolk, Broadland and the rest of Norfolk like Norwich and beyond! New Stages and our classes are under the leadership of the director, Joseph Ballard. Joseph is a professional performer and director with 15 years teaching experience for theatres, clubs and schools. You can read more about Joseph on his own website (click here). In 2009, Joseph set up his theatre education company called Response Theatre and then relaunched the activities in 2016 as ‘New Stages’ reflecting an influx of new adventures and opportunities for those involved in the classes. All classes now take place in North Walsham which is an ideal location for those traveling in from the surrounding areas across Broadland and North Norfolk. Creative collaboration is a powerful thing and the company has worked with different organisations from the creative, educational and youth sectors. In summer 2012, our project called What’s Your Story was awarded the prestigious Inspire mark for excellence from the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, making us officially part of the London 2012 family and its legacy. Since then the company has grown, with the strong belief that collaborations with other organisations, education providers and other practitioners is the key to rewarding, innovative successful projects.
