Associate schools programme

The Associate Schools Programme is the RSC’s national partnership project run by schools and regional theatres. The fundamental ambition of the Associate Schools Programme is to transform experiences of Shakespeare and live theatre for young people.

In Kent and Medway, the Marlowe Theatre has been running the programme as a partner of the RSC since the programme began. The programme consists of 22 schools arranged in two clusters. There is a mix of schools, with a range of experience, some of those have been specifically selected to mentor other schools in areas of expertise. It is a rich, dynamic community where students can work with and learn from peers from other schools and teachers can meet and share ideas to further improve their practice.

Schools join the programme for two years and will benefit from a range of teacher training days and workshops with students as well as performance opportunities for their young people at both the Marlowe Theatre and inspirational places around Kent for immersive site-specific performances.

Voyage of their Lives

In 2025, our annual Associate Schools production with the RSC was Voyage of their Lives, taking place along the atmospheric shoreline at Samphire Hoe in Dover. Where previously the schools have performed one play, this year saw the students perform several parts of Shakespeare’s plays that are either set in a coastal location or have themes of the coast throughout the text, selected by the Marlowe’s resident Dramaturg, award-winning playwright Leo Butler. The performers acted as castaways washed up on the beach to tell their stories. The project saw 11 schools per day over two days, with up to 660 young people taking part across both days.

Take a look at some our previous productions here:

Take a look at previous productions of Much Ado About Nothing and As You Like it:

Much Ado About Nothing – The Merry War.
Main House, March 2022.

As You Like It: All The Woods A Stage
Oare Gunpowder Works, June 2023