Welcome to the Hobo's Online Courses and Workshops
ONLINE WORKSHOP
Actors' Tips for Writers
When actors are developing characters, they often start by exploring their physicality, impulses, and relationships.
In this playful, practical workshop called From Stage to Page, you'll borrow tools from an acting school to create characters and dialogue that feel vivid, surprising, and emotionally truthful.
During the 75-minute online workshop, we'll explore embodied character creation, improvisation techniques for writers and dialogue as behaviour.
Whether you're a fiction writer, playwright, screenwriter, or simply curious about new creative pathways, From Stage to Page offers a fresh, intuitive approach to storytelling — one that invites you to listen to the body, trust your instincts, and write from a deeper, more resonant place.
Bring your curiosity, an open mind, and a pen and paper.
The workshop will be facilitated by Hobo Playhouse Artistic Director and Acting Tutor Jeffrey Bryant Jones, who has more than 40 years' experience as an editor, journalist and actor.
From Stage to Page workshops can be held on Zoom by appointment for one to six people (maximum). The cost is $65 full/$50 concession per person. To book a workshop for yourself or your group, email Jeff at hoboplayhouse@yahoo.com.
Photos courtesy of Freepic.
ONLINE COURSE
Creative Ageing: Acting for Wellbeing
This warm, welcoming eight-week course has been designed to support older adults with their emotional wellbeing, confidence, and social connections.
Through gentle drama‑based activities, storytelling, imagination, improvisation and shared creativity, participants will explore new ways of expressing themselves while building relationships in a small, supportive group.
No acting experience is needed, no lines to remember — just bring your own curiosity and a willingness to play.
During the 75-minute sessions, participants explore a range of activities including gentle movement, storytelling, improvisation, and music to rediscover their expressive voices and create new connections.
The course will be facilitated by Jeffrey Bryant Jones, who has more than 10 years' experience as community educator (drama) and a wealth of experience as a director, actor and writer. Jeff is also a qualified Drama Therapist AThR with a Masters Degree.
“My aim is to create a safe space where participants can explore their experiences, creativity, and make new connections while having fun along the way,” he said.
Jeff developed the Creative Ageing: Acting for Wellbeing course earlier this year to assist older people in the community to improve their confidence, self-esteem and social connections. He piloted an in-person version of the course in the Castlemaine area, receiving extremely positive feedback from participants (see survey results).
All participants who completed the course reported improved self-confidence, greater mental stimulation, more social connection and enhanced wellbeing. One participant said he “felt young again” while another added, “it was like playtime for oldies”. Jeff noticed a strong sense of connection emerged between the participants. Further comments included:
Creative Ageing: Acting for Wellbeing has been adapted for online participants. It can be held on Zoom for small groups of 4 (minimum) and 6 (maximum) people. The cost for the 8-week course is $150 per person. Please note the closing date to book this course for your group in 2026 is June 19. For bookings and further details email Jeff at hoboplayhouse@yahoo.com.
Playing with improvisation can help you think on your feet and build self-confidence – it's also lots of fun! Pictured here are Loise, Juliana, Lyn and Ron.
