A new era of creative opportunities for young people

Theatre Royal Plymouth is proud to announce the relaunch of its Young Company, providing an exciting range of new and returning opportunities for young people in the South West.

The Young Company, which has long been a crucial part of the theatre’s mission to engage young audiences and nurture talent, is being reimagined to offer even more pathways into the world of theatre and creative industries.

The newly relaunched Young Company will include a wide range of workshops, courses and performance opportunities for young people aged 2-18, covering everything from performance, movement and singing, to arts management, technical production and creative development. With something for everyone, from those seeking to develop their performance skills to those interested in learning the intricacies of running a theatre or working behind the scenes, Young Company will provide an inclusive, supportive environment where young people can hone their skills and pursue their passions.

The Young Company will be split across multiple sessions each week, designed to cater for various age groups, abilities and interests. Details for the upcoming season include:

Tuesdays:

• Create: Through fun games, storytelling and role-playing, participants will develop confidence and unleash their creativity in a playful, supportive environment. This group is designed especially for young people with disabilities who feel they would benefit from additional support.
• Sing: Join us for this brand-new offering for TRP’s Young Company. Sing is a choir with a difference and will engage young people in workshops and allow them to create and perform new songs.
• 11-13s Perform: Participants will begin to further explore theatrical conventions and practitioners, deepening their understanding and creating the foundations needed to begin creating their own work.
• 14-18s Perform: Participants will explore practitioners and different forms of theatre in greater detail to learn the skills needed to build successful performances themselves, whether that is devised or scripted. Groups will explore their own interests in theatre and develop an understanding of what they want to create and what they want to explore more of.

Wednesdays:

• 14-18s Produce: A course designed for the next generation of arts managers with essential skills in producing, finance, marketing and development, offering insight into how a professional theatre operates.
• 14-18s Behind the Scenes: For aspiring technicians and creatives, this course covers everything from lighting and sound design to stage management and production scheduling.

Thursdays:

• Tiny Tales: A perfect introduction to theatre, 2-4* year olds and their grown-ups can explore enchanting stories together through hands-on play. Participants will be taken on an immersive and magical journey, lifting story off the page. A perfect bonding experience for families to enjoy the world of theatre! 

• 8-12s / 13-18s Dance: Inspired by the methodology of Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, young people will go on a dance adventure using their unique method of movement-based storytelling and playful creativity.

Saturdays:

• Creative Adventurers 5-7s: Through immersive play and storytelling, young people will begin to develop their skills in the world of performance and theatre-making and use their bodies and voices to learn how to tell stories to each other. The emphasis is not on performance at this age but simply allowing them to be creative and breed theatrical curiosity in a safe and fun environment.
• Creative Explorers 8-11s: Participants will explore new skills and develop their knowledge by engaging with a variety of theatrical conventions, this may include storytelling, devising from stimulus and performance opportunities.

Heather Johns, Project Manager, Young People and Partnerships at Theatre Royal Plymouth said: "The relaunch of the Young Company feels like the start of a really exciting journey! We’ve got so many new ideas and opportunities for young people to get involved with, whether they’re passionate about performing, producing, or just want to try something new. This is about giving young people the chance to express themselves, build confidence and most importantly, have fun with theatre. We can’t wait to see the next generation of creatives discover and develop their talents with us. This is just the start."

Theatre Royal Plymouth’s Young Company will continue its dedication to making theatre accessible for all. The Young Company Create group is designed to support young people with disabilities or additional support needs, ensuring that every participant has the opportunity to engage with and benefit from the theatre arts. TRP also has bursary funded places for young people who struggle to access the arts due to financial difficulties.

All groups are bookable via the TRP website and through Box Office. The 14-18s Produce group is joined via an application, which can be found here: https://theatreroyal.com/take-part/young-company-produce-autumn2025/

With a dynamic programme that combines traditional youth theatre with modern training in arts management, technical theatre, and creative leadership, TRP is excited to offer young people the tools they need to shape their futures in the arts.

To keep to date with the latest TRP activity for young people, visit https://theatreroyal.com/take-part/young-people/.