The Twisting Ducks Spectrum theatre group for people with a learning disability and autistic people is opening its doors to new members during Learning Disability Week 2026. The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company is inviting people aged 16 who live in Newcastle and over to attend a free taster day for its Spectrum Theatre Group at Northern Stage on Thursday 18 June , from 10am-12.30pm. The event comes as The Twisting Ducks launches a rare opportunity to join its funded theatre group in Newcastle. Membership is free and no previous performing arts experience is required. Spectrum Theatre Group meets weekly at Northern Stage and offers members the chance to develop creative skills, build confidence, make friends and create original theatre performances in a supportive environment. The taster day takes place during Learning Disability Week, the annual national campaign that celebrates the lives, achievements and contributions of people with a learning disability while raising awareness of the barriers they continue to face. The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company is a charity that works with people with a learning disability and autistic people to tackle inequalities and drive social change through performing arts and issue-based theatre. Based across Tyne & Wear and Northumberland, The Twisting Ducks supports over 800 people a year to express themselves creatively, build skills and social connections, and achieve aspirations as performers, musicians, and DJs. It is an exciting time to join Spectrum Theatre Group as members are currently developing BUS, a major two-year immersive theatre and storytelling project funded by Arts Council England and Newcastle Cultural Investment Fund. The project will explore the experiences of bus travel and bring together stories from people with a learning disability and autistic people as well as other marginalised groups including young people, refugees, older people, and LGBTQ+ communities. The project will culminate in a touring multimedia performance staged on a bus, visiting schools, arts venues and festivals across the region in 2027. Spectrum theatre group is for residents of Newcastle aged 16+ with a learning disability and or autism. The Twisting Ducks is particularly keen to hear from people whose voices are currently underrepresented, including young adults aged 18-25, people from the global majority, women, non-binary and trans people. Jan Willem van den Bosch, Lead facilitator and Project Manager at The Twisting Ducks Theatre Company said: “Learning Disability Week is a chance to celebrate the creativity and voices of people with a learning disability and autistic people. Spectrum Theatre Group at The Twisting Ducks is a welcoming space where people can build confidence, make work together and express themselves creatively. Our taster day is an exciting opportunity for people interested in joining our group to come and see what we do.” Neil, member of Spectrum Theatre Group, said: “Spectrum is a friendly and supportive group. We get to do a variety of things like singing, acting and script-writing.” Kevin, member of Spectrum Theatre group, said: “We learn how to do new things. It’s about expressing yourself and having fun… and it’s free!”