More than one benefit

There are lots of benefits young people can enjoy from youth theatre: developing confidence, self-discipline and self-esteem; improving communication skills and developing teamwork skills; broadening their horizons through new experiences; having fun and being creative.

Some youth theatres focus on young people's personal development, others on introducing them to theatre arts and developing theatre skills. Most youth theatres allow members to get involved in devising, creating and staging public performances.

Production work is usually specifically for young people, either devised with the group or using scripts written for young performers. As well as undertaking performances, many youth theatres create devised and improvised work and participate in workshops.

Learning life skills

Only a few youth theatre members ever enter the professional theatre. Most youth theatre work involves young people in drama and theatre techniques which aid their transition to adulthood and equip them with skills valuable in all walks of life. Nevertheless there are a surprising range and number of career openings within the theatre profession.

Some youth theatre members have gone on to become well known in their own right. Actors such as Sir Derek Jacobi, Dame Helen Mirren, David Suchet, Orlando Bloom, Daniel Craig, Daniel Day-Lewis, Jude Law, Matt Lucas and Robson Green were all members of youth theatres.

The role of NAYT

Founded in 1982, NAYT supports the development of youth theatre and young people's participatory theatre through training, advocacy, participation programmes and information services. Registration is open to any group or individual using theatre techniques in their work with young people, outside of formal education. The organisation celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2007.

NAYT also responds to over 1,000 enquiries every year from young people, teachers, parents, carers, youth workers and social services looking for information and advice about youth theatre provision or career and educational opportunities. This free service puts young people in direct contact with youth theatres. So if you're looking for a youth theatre in your area you can search for one online at www.nayt.org.uk/find.

NAYT events

In addition to smaller, regional seminars and workshops, NAYT runs two big events each year: Big Youth Theatre Festival (for youth theatre members) and Workshop Weekend (for youth theatre leaders).

Now in its fourteenth year, the Big Youth Theatre Festival is the organisation's showcase event. Set in Epping Forest, BYTF attracts groups from the UK and beyond, bringing together over 800 young people to perform, workshop and celebrate their involvement in youth theatre. The festival workshop programme includes practical sessions led by a range of acclaimed artists and companies. The festival is run with the support of the Festival Team, made up of volunteers aged 18-25, who come from NAYT-registered groups and serve on a 4-year rolling programme that includes training, support, personal development and input into planning and evaluation.

Workshop Weekend brings together practitioners from across the country for 2 days of workshops, debate and networking. NAYTs events and publications encourage sharing and networking between members on a local, regional and national basis. Members find new ways of making the most of their limited resources, of improving the quality of their work and consequently of enhancing the experience of their participants.

Engage is NAYT's new national development programme, providing regional support to assist youth theatres in meeting their specific needs and fulfilling aspirations. So far events have taken place in the East Midlands, South West, Yorkshire and the North West with more to be announced soon.

Inspire is another new national programme offering youth theatres mentoring opportunities and bespoke training packages. The project is running on a pilot basis at the moment, with the intention of rolling out a full-scale version in the not-too-distant future.

Despite a lack of regular funding and limited opportunities for development, youth theatre is finally being recognised for its effectiveness in engaging with young people and for the benefits this brings. NAYT is at the forefront of youth theatre development - providing information, training and support, undertaking research, developing practice and highlighting the needs and aspirations of the sector.

If you'd like more information on any of the above, please contact NAYT at:

NAYT, Arts Centre, Vane Terrace, Darlington, County Durham DL3 7AX.
Tel: 01325 363330
Email: nayt@btconnect.com
Web: www.nayt.org.uk