ACTORS and writers in the Borders will have the chance to join two special workshops this month.

Creatives of any age or experience are invited to take part in the workshops hosted at the Heart of Hawick.

Acting for the Stage: The Empty Space, and Writing for the Stage: The Empty Page will run for eight weeks and will offer participants the opportunity to develop new skills in an area they are interested in.

Clare Prenton is a director working in the industry, and will be running the acting classes.

She said: “Over eight weeks you will gain confidence and skills in voice, acting and script reading to lift text from page to stage to confidently take the space and ‘fill’ what the late, great director Peter Brook called the ‘empty space’.

“Whether this is completely new to you or you are brushing up existing skills, all experience ranges are welcome.”

The workshops have wellbeing in mind and aim to boost participants' confidence and help them feel better connected and happier.

Local actor, writer and director Jane Houston Green will be in charge of The Empty Page workshops.

She said: “We will look at ideas and inspiration and how to translate these into workable formats.

“We will analyse the process of theatre and how a writer fits into the team and discuss characterisation and casting with the specific techniques required for producing scripts that translate well to the stage.”

The workshops are being provided through Live Borders, which operates the Heart of Hawick.

Jason Moyes from Live Borders Arts & Creativity said: “We know there are people out there who have the potential and the aspiration to write or act on the stage.

"We want to nurture people, help them develop skills, perhaps raise their confidence and hopefully give them a positive experience as part of their time here.

"We’re equally interested in working with people with some, none or lots of experience.

"It’s a unique experience to learn in our theatre at Heart of Hawick and have something to look forward to over winter months.”

Writing for the Stage and Acting for the Stage will both run for eight weeks at the Heart of Hawick from Monday, October 24.

There is a £125 charge to take part in either of the workshops.