INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL of PLAY
24th – 29th August, 2026
Lisbon, Portugal
Just like with the violin or piano, we must learn to play our instrument – in this case, the human body.
During the summer of 2026 (24th-29th August), the International School of Play will offer its seventh edition of its intensive summer theatre workshop, bringing together 2 international teachers whose aim is to explore, expand and refine the human impulse to create on stage, through body, voice and imagination.
The setting is sunny Lisbon, a vibrant, picturesque and inspirational city located alongside the Portuguese coast.
The workshop caters for all levels, be you an actor, dancer, singer, or someone wishing to further explore their artistic potential within the field of theatre.
Theatre is PLAY
This workshop is an invitation for play, freedom and technique to emerge on stage.
Games, exercises and improvisations will stimulate us into playing and inventing. We will introduce masks to explore character space, and seek what aspects of our individuality allows us to be in service to art. We will use our bodies to represent and transform the dynamics of the world, with and without text.
Our workshop will inhabit the following paradox – technique is lifeless without pleasure and passion, and yet artistic creation often demands the directed perspective of craft to frame our play. It is here where we will nourish our poetic urge to tell stories of, and to, the world.
It is here that we will create theatre.
"Man is most nearly himself when he achieves the seriousness of a child at play"
Heraclitus 500 BC
John Mowat
“My teaching is based upon creating an environment where you can fall flat on your face and then get up and laugh about it. A place in which to play, explore, experiment, make discoveries and go on adventures”.
- Communicating ideas visually
- Use of the body, relating to others and the performance space.
- Integration of the visual with the spoken word
- Developing character, focusing on the physical
- Character interaction and story telling
We begin through a thorough analysis of movement to discover or rediscover our bodies. In the early stages we keep largely away from language so as to concentrate on building physical and visual awareness. Slowly we integrate the visual with the spoken word… Character work plays an important part. A variety of exercises and improvisations are used to create strong physical and vocal characters. These are then explored by putting them into various situations to see how they affect and relate with each other.
John was born and brought up in London, where he still occasionally lives. His career in the theatre began in 1980 when he performed his first solo show. As a theatre maker, performer and director creating over 60 shows to date, his highly visual style of comedy has toured in over 50 countries throughout the world. Mowat continues to work on a variety of projects, dividing his time between Portugal, Brazil and the UK.
Samuel Meyler
“I’m interested in the human impulse to create, to manifest. Play is a powerful catalyst for this – its transformative, it brings spontaneity, it’s highly contagious, it weakens the fear of failure…”
- Games and improvisation in service of play
- Using the dynamics of movement to enter into the comic territories
- Character exploration through mask
- The poetry of the human body
One of our goals will simply be to enjoy ourselves on stage (something easier said then done!). We’ll work with a variety of expressive masks to welcome in our comic vulnerability, idiocy, virtuosity, imbalance, humanness. Our aim is to rediscover the art of play and the creative empowering freedom this can give us.
Samuel was born in Lisbon, but grew up mainly in Ireland. From a young age, he was obsessed with juggling and play. Later he discovered physical theatre, which brought him to work extensively with Norman Taylor and then at the Ecole Lassaad in Belguim. He underwent further training at Ecole Philippe Gaulier in Paris. He has a PhD in the performing arts and teaches in a variety of professional theatre schools and at the University of Evora (Department of Performing Arts).
Still curious about the teachers?
Below a Shakespeare performance by Nola Rae and John Mowat, and a trailer for a film on physical theatre by Samuel Meyler
"To truly laugh, you must be able to take your pain, and play with it."
Charlie ChaplinWorkshop
The workshop caters for all levels, be you an actor, dancer, singer, or just a human wishing to further explore their artistic potential using the field of theatre. Classes are from 10:00-13:00; 14:00-17:00 every day, Monday to Saturday. The space opens at 09:30 to warm up.
On Saturday, the last day, we traditionally finish with a pizza night to celebrate the course.
The classes are distributed equally between Samuel and John over the 6 days. Please wear comfortable clothing, and feel free to come a little early to stretch. There is a microwave and fridge to heat up lunch if needed. Classes are taught in English.
Location: Alfama (Lisbon)
“It was a real pleasure … I did things I haven’t done before which tested instinct and honed improvisation. The students quickly became a family. Sam and John teach quite differently, but their methods compliment one another nicely. All in all School of Play is an opportunity to do just that…play and learn and have fun doing it.”
Nola Rae, Mime/Clown; 2018
“What really surprised me was how I changed. I laugh much more, even in stressful situations. I feel much more flexible in situations with difficult choices, and it pays off. So that playfulness work profoundly impacted my work and my household. Thanks, Sam and John!”
Ekaterina Vinnik, MD, PhD; 2019
“If you want to explore, discover and enrich yourself as a performer and as a person while having ridiculous amounts of fun with a group of people you’ve never met then this is the place to go“
Keith Harle, Secondary School Educator; 2023
“I had the most incredible experience… I worried I wouldn’t be creative enough, but everything is designed to naturally bring out your inner creativity in a delightful way. I also learned a lot about myself. A really magical experience.“
Madeleine Sanford, Family Nurse; 2022
“If you are totally new to theatre, or like me have been studying theatre and clowning for over forty years – don’t miss this course. John and Sam’s coaching and teaching is of the highest quality. In the class, I witnessed and experience amazing moments of sheer joy, humor and sadness. I can’t wait for next year’s class.”
Kenneth Enright, Actor; 2024
“School of Play offered exactly what I was looking for. John and Sam balanced a style of teaching where they both challenged us while making us feel secure. We were able to experiment and invent each day and push the boundaries of our sense of play. I know I’ll take these lessons with me as I navigate daily interactions.“
Belen Wagaw, Social Media Consultant; 2022
Theatre is PLAY
Scholarship fund
Trust us, we know how difficult it is to making a living from art, especially theatre!
Therefore we wish to provide one place for a Portuguese professional or student (linked with the arts, preferably performance) to join School of Play. If selected we provide a 50% fee reduction (of the total price of the course), with the individual paying the other 50%. Interested?
Please send us:
- Proof of Portuguese nationality
- Why this training is useful to you (one page maximum)
- Curriculum Vitae (two pages maximum)
- Anything else you deem important
Deadline for application is 20th June, all candidates will receive an answer by 30th June.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the application process?
Simple. You fill in the application form and pay the deposit. We see you in August.
What language is the course?
Classes are taught in English.
I’m a complete beginner, is that okay?
Yes. Different levels will mix, bringing different colours.
I have performed for many years, is that okay?
Same answer! Different levels will mix, bringing different colours.
What is the closing date for enrolment?
We take 16-18 students. We generally book out quite early, so its recommended to enrol quickly.
Do you provide accommodation?
No. But on request we create a WhatsApp group with students so that they can look together.
If I’m booking a place, what areas of Lisbon are close?
Bairro Alto, Praça dos Flores, Principe Real, Santos …
But where is the actual space?
R. Canastras 40, 1100-112 Lisboa
Is there anything to prepare?
Just bring yourself, your passion, your pleasure, your doubts. A notebook can be useful.
Do you provide discounts?
No. But see our early bird fee and the scholarship fund for a Portuguese artist.
Registration
early bird / until 30th May 2026
425
euros
Regular fee / after 30th May 2026
475
euros
A deposit of 150 euro, non-refundable, is required to reserve a place – the remaining balance can be settled
before the first day of the workshop.
*Note: To avail of the early bird fee, the deposit must be received by the 30th of May
“The play is the thing, wherein I’ll catch the conscience of the king”
William Shakespeare; Hamlet
Contact us
Please let us know if you have any questions on the workshop, on Lisbon or life in general!
Email:
Text or Follow:
And finally … a big THANK YOU to all the previous School of Play editions…
