J. Productions offers play readings, discussions, and interactive workshops on a regular basis.
Workshops are led by experienced actors and theatre practitioners who bring plays and personalities to life in an interactive and illuminating manner. Workshops have focused on sixteenth century outspoken playwright, Aphra Benn, Shakespeare’s Cleopatra and Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler.
Latest Workshop
Immersive Songwriting Retreat
June 30th – July 5th 2026
Podere dell’Amore, Volterra (Italy)
with Daniel Zappi
Whether you’ve written songs before or are just beginning to explore your creative voice, this immersive songwriting retreat invites you to tell your stories through music.
Over four days, you’ll write, reflect, and connect with a group of like-minded adults in a supportive and inspiring environment. Set against the backdrop of the Tuscan hills, the retreat offers space to slow down, listen inwardly, and transform personal experiences into song.
Guided by highly experienced singer-songwriter and practitioner Daniel Zappi, you’ll explore the art of songwriting as a form of storytelling, discovering how to shape memories, emotions and ideas into lyrics and music that are authentic and meaningful.
Through a series of creative exercises, group sessions, and collaborative tasks, you’ll be encouraged to explore, trust your instincts, and develop your unique voice. No prior musical experience is needed, just a willingness to be open and curious.
Each day combines practical tools with creative exploration, supporting you to move from idea to expression. You’ll experiment with different approaches to writing, share work in progress, and learn how to bring your songs to life in a relaxed, non-judgemental setting.
By the end of the retreat, you’ll leave with new songs, fresh inspiration, and a deeper connection to your own creative voice, along with the confidence to continue telling your stories through music.
What You’ll Explore
- Lyric writing as personal storytelling
- Finding and developing your authentic voice
- Creative and reflective writing techniques
- Turning memories and ideas into song concepts
- Melody, harmony, and emotional expression
- Co-writing and creative collaboration
- Gentle approaches to performance and sharing
By The End Of The Retreat, You Will Have:
- Written or developed original songs rooted in your own stories
- Tools and techniques to support your ongoing creative practice
- Greater confidence in expressing yourself through music
- Experience collaborating and connecting with others creatively
- A renewed sense of inspiration and creative possibility
Previous Workshops
Mothers &
Daughters
16.10.25
Shakespeare
Week
22.05.25
Love &
Marriage
19.10.24
The Devil’s
Passion
28.02.24
The
Edwardians
10.02.24
Taking
The Lead
14.10.23
J.Productions also hosts summer Theatre Retreats in the English language in a beautiful villa in the heart of Tuscany in the months between June and September. The precise location is Podere dell’Amore, at Ponsano. located between Volterra, San Gimignano and Colle Val d’Elsa and are led by highly experienced theatre professionals and actors with UK teaching qualifications and a world of theatre, music, directing and acting know-how.
The ‘Storytelling’ and ‘Theatre’ Retreats were developed and rolled out for the first time in 2019 however the programs have since expanded. In 2020, given the Covid pandemic, a more focused Theatre Retreat was developed based on ‘The Decameron’ by Giovanni Boccaccio expanding in 2024 with retreats on Greek and Roman Storytelling.
J. Productions 