Scarborough's Stephen Joseph Theatre will launch a new company for aspiring young theatre makers this autumn.
The Young Company will have weekly classes in theatre-making skills and acting technique, access to support from experienced theatre professionals, complementary tickets and the opportunity to perform in the SJT’s famous Round auditorium.
The first production will be Dennis Kelly's hard-hitting DNA, the story of a group of teenagers who have done something really bad and are desperately trying to cover it up in their panic. The drama will run next May.
Membership of the Young Company will be for 12 months, and the SJT is looking for 16 to 25-year-olds to audition for the inaugural company, which will meet on Wednesday evenings.
Head of creative engagement Rob Salmon said: "It's our way of making a contribution to the creative futures of aspiring young theatre makers in and around Scarborough, and it will showcase some of the incredible talent we have around us in North Yorkshire."
The Young Company - which will have only 10 places at £25 a head – is intended for young people actively planning a career in the performing arts, whether applying for a place in higher education, already studying, or at the start of their career.
For younger theatre fans, the theatre's Saturday Morning Drama Club (which runs groups for 5s-7s, 7s-9s and 9s-11s) will give primary school age children a place to explore creativity, confidence and make new friends. Each group will perform in the Round in the theatre's annual youth festival.
There is also a Youth Theatre (Tuesday evenings for ages 11-13 and 13-15; Wednesday evenings for 15s-18s), to help develop knowledge and interest in the performing arts and learn new creative skills.
Club members will receive a number of free tickets to see shows at the SJT, and a discount code to bring a friend. They will also be able to audition for the annual youth theatre production in the McCarthy auditorium, and perform in an annual youth festival.
All three groups run through school term times; reduced fees are available for people experiencing financial difficulty.
There is also a new Backstage School for children and young people interested in theatre technical skills or creative skills used in rehearsal, which will run year-round in school holidays.
Children and young people with special or additional needs can join Fuse Youth Theatre.
Groups start operating in September.
To register a place at this year’s young company audition (August 31), or youth theatre or drama club (Aug 30-Sep 1), or to sign up for the Backstage School or Fuse Youth Theatre, click here