Camden Youth Theatre Launches

Three of Camden's leading arts and community organisations have joined up to create Camden Youth Theatre, a free creative club equipping 13-19 year olds with the skills to make their own inventive new theatre. They will work with top professional theatre makers, creating new shows and performing at two of London's best studio theatres: Camden People's Theatre and New Diorama Theatre.

Launching in early 2016, Camden Youth Theatre will be led by Gemma Rowan, who has extensive experience working with young people. She is co-director of celebrated young company Sounds Like Chaos, and is a professional theatre maker with her company Mingbeast. Gemma will work with the young people of CYT to form a company producing exciting and accessible theatre.

They will also encounter work by some of the UK's contemporary theatre makers, watching performances at Camden People's Theatre and New Diorama Theatre, as well as participating in further workshops and classes.

The youth theatre has been created in direct response to demand from local schools and community groups, particularly those who have been affected by cuts in school drama provision.

Camden Youth Theatre is working in partnership with local schools and youth workers to ensure that the offer reaches young people who would not typically have the chance to engage. It is entirely free to attend, meaning no one is excluded on the basis of cost.

"It is clear that by working together we can have a much more meaningful impact on the lives of local young people - not only by sharing resources, but also by bringing the particular expertise of our different organisations to the table. We're excited to be working with brilliant local partners to consolidate the community engagement work we've been doing over recent years," said Amber Massie-Blomfield, Executive Director, Camden People's Theatre

"New Diorama work with over 8,000 local people in West Euston every year through our community programme so I know what a huge impact this new youth theatre is going to make. A partnership between New Diorama, Camden People's Theatre and Fitzrovia Centre is an exciting and heady cocktail - one that I hope inspires the young people who take part in Camden Youth Theatre to make some explosive, dangerous and jaw-dropping work. I can't wait to see what they come up with." David Byrne, Artistic & Executive Director, New Diorama Theatre

CYT Monday sessions are:

4.30pm - 6.30pm ages 13 - 15

7.00pm - 9.00pm ages 16 - 19