RISE Festival 2026 filled the Studio Theatre with something very special this February.
Across two evenings, eleven brand-new pieces of theatre were shared by over 50 creatives from Chickenshed’s BA Programme. These weren’t polished touring productions. They were new works - written, directed and performed by Chickenshed's young artists finding their voice and inviting us into it.
“So much talent. So many deeply personal stories. I loved it.”
What RISE Is Really About
RISE exists to give our BA creatives the opportunity to develop original theatre from scratch.
An idea becomes a script. A script becomes rehearsal. Rehearsal turns into 11 new pieces of theatre.
This year’s festival explored identity, masculinity, grief, neurodiversity, belonging and the complexities of modern life. Each piece was distinct and filled with the thoughts, ideas and sometimes lived experience of the young people at Chickenshed.
Articles
Read an article all about the RISE 2026 Industry Sharing
BBC London Visits RISE
In the lead-up to the festival, BBC London came to Chickenshed to capture what RISE is about.
They interviewed Matteo Morris (Acceptance), Tristan Manzi (Involuntary) and Mouse O’Hehir (A & E), speaking about why they chose to tell these stories and what it means to create new work in this moment.
BA (Hons) Inclusive Performance (Top up)
BA (Hons) Inclusive Performance (Top up)
