Here we’d have a profile of the sector in the country. I’ve used the notes from our mapping meeting for now, but we could each write up something more specific.
Youth Theatre is a unique form of theatre defined by the contribution of young people and centred on ensemble approaches.
One Paragraph:
A youth theatre is a drama group for young people that offers a year-round programme of activities including a workshop programme and performance experiences. The young people are ‘members’ of the youth theatre and collaborate with skilled, professional and voluntary leaders to create theatre that is uniquely relevant to the experience and character of the group. Youth Theatre is open to all young people. It is run on a not-for-profit basis, takes place outside of school and young people actively choose to take part. Youth theatre is about the development and empowerment of its membership both as theatre makers and as people.
- Established by pioneering individuals rather than institutions. Including theatre educators, child phycologists and professional theatre makers.
- Whilst YTI was established through grass roots developments, it consistently brought in clear links with professional theatre sector to develop towards a continuing practise.
- Professional theatre/youth work/ drama in education. (Focus now on being a place apart from education.)
- Huge mixture of work throughout the sector – programme based, community, council run. Scale and capacity of each of these organisations completely differs.
- Well-funded groups can regularly engage professional theatre artists and this is reflected in the artistic quality of their work.
- YTI also serves a role for facilitators to develop their skills and capacity
- Current challenges very much focussed around resources and funding. Youth Theatre is not taken seriously enough by funders and policy makers. Whilst its not common for theatres to have outreach and engagement departments integrated into the their core work, this lack of funding will continue. Institutional buy in required Arts council don’t feel responsibility to can’t pay for high quality staff and resources.
Case Studies
BUZZ PARTNER: Youth Theatre Ireland
FESTIVAL: National Festival of Youth Theatre