Welcome to Storywood - Writing Workshops for ages 9+

Welcome to Storywood is a series of writing workshops for young storytellers aged 9 and over, running at the Grand Opera House York on Monday 21 September, Monday 19 October and Monday 23 November 2026. Each session runs from 16:00 to 17:00, so they're after-school slots rather than weekend ones.

The sessions start by looking at the magic hidden inside classic tales, and from there the group builds stories of their own, guided by the mysterious Thread Keeper and inspired by the world of Storywood. Every session opens up a different timeless tale, and the work goes beyond just retelling them as they've always been told. The whole thing is built around asking 'What if...', exploring different perspectives and creating unforgettable characters, with imaginative discussion, creative writing, drawing and storytelling all playing a part. It's as much about the talking and the drawing as it is about the writing, so it should suit kids who might find a blank page a bit daunting on its own.

Every storyteller takes home a beautifully designed illustrated journal filled with activities, creative prompts and space to keep writing after the session ends. The workshops sit at the Grand Opera House York, which has been at the heart of the city's cultural life for more than a century, and they form part of the theatre's countdown to its 125th anniversary in 2027. The venue is on Cumberland Street, York YO1 9SW, and the sessions run from 16:00 to 17:00 on those three Mondays: 21 September, 19 October and 23 November.