Youth Theatre offering opportunity to perform on New Vic stage
The New Vic Theatre’s Youth Theatre is recruiting for new members to join its weekly sessions – with members having the chance to perform on the New Vic stage next year.
The New Vic’s Youth Theatre is an opportunity for young people aged 4-19 with an interest in arts and drama to explore performance techniques and theatre skills in a safe, fun and inclusive environment through weekly workshops at Staffordshire’s producing theatre-in-the-round.
No previous experience is required, and the sessions are designed to build confidence, explore new friendships and encourage creativity.
The Youth Theatre is split into five age groups. Younger members meet on Saturday mornings (10.00am – 11.00am for ages 4-6, and 11.15am – 12.15pm for ages 7-9) to play drama games and improvise scenes, explore characters and create stories.
Mid-week sessions Wednesdays (4.30pm – 6.00pm for ages 10-12) and Thursdays (4.30pm – 6.00pm for ages 13-15) will be where scripts will be brought to life and pieces performed of original theatre as well as learning about other roles behind-the-scenes.
Older members of Youth Theatre progress to the New Vic Young Company (ages 16-19) who in previous years have performed across the country at regional and national events, festivals and venues including the Royal Shakespeare Company.
Divided into three terms per year, the upcoming autumn 2024 term of Youth Theatre will focus on skills-based workshops, while the spring 2025 term will see these skills implemented as members work with a director to devise and develop an original theatre performance. Finally, the summer 2025 term will culminate in a performance evening on the New Vic’s stage.
New Vic Youth Theatre Director and Education Practitioner Amy Fletcher said: “It really is a wonderful time to join the New Vic Youth Theatre. Existing Youth Theatre members really enjoyed the chance to work with industry professionals for their performance in June this year.
“Seeing the work they created and the skills they developed on the stage was a joy, and building on that this year is going to be special. The New Vic is a hub of creativity, and our Youth Theatre get the chance to experience how we make theatre up close, meeting and hearing from theatre professionals who give insights into the world of theatre, allowing them to see how theatre is made every single day by people who have a love of theatre just like them, some of who have been Youth Theatre members in the past.
“What I think is really special about the New Vic’s Youth Theatre is that no matter your reason for attending there is a place for everyone, whether you want to build confidence and make friends or you’re an aspiring theatre professional.”
To find out costs and to sign up for the New Vic Youth Theatre, contact the New Vic Box Office on 01782 717 962 or email lparry@newvictheatre.org.uk