The Youth Theatre is a 10-month programme running from February to the end of November each year.
We take twenty-five young people, aged between 16-25, who are selected through an informal interview in January. We don’t hold drama auditions.
The programme
We start in February with fortnightly Saturday workshops at St Saviour’s Church in Knightsbridge, where we have our workshop space, studio theatre and relaxing lounge.
The workshops consist of warm up exercises, drama games, vocal work, improvisation, text work, unpacking Shakespeare, discussing and contemporising his themes (such as knife crime, gang warfare, jealousy, rage). You don’t need to be an expert in Shakespeare or a brilliant actor! You just need to be prepared to take part and commit to the programme.
After Easter, Saturday workshops run weekly. In August, we run an intensive 2-week Summer School led by our Artistic Director, Darren, and professional theatre practitioners who lead sessions ranging from text and movement, to character and Shakespeare verse.
Auditions for the Youth Theatre production take place during the final week of Summer School. We rehearse through September and October. The 4-week production runs through November (Wednesdays to Saturdays) in our theatre.
The year ends with a Cast Party and Awards Night at St Saviour’s in early December.
Although our focus is on drama, we believe in nurturing the whole person. We offer ongoing mentoring and pastoral support to help you gain confidence, develop your creativity, discover new opportunities, increase your life skills and help you make positive choices.