Islington Youth Theatre

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An Appeal

Islington Youth Theatre were runners up at the Spirt of London Awards 2009

The bulk of Islington Community Theatre's work is created through our four young companies - comprising around 120 permanent members aged 9-20.

We also run ad hoc and bespoke projects according to local need, interest and in response to specific commissions and are developing a bespoke training and mentoring programme for young theatre-makers aged 19-25 who have previously been involved in our work.

All of our company members are offered their places on the basis of how much they'll benefit from being involved. We work in collaboration with schools, colleges and other local agencies to reach people who would never normally become involved in theatre projects.

It is really important to us that our companies are made up of young people from the widest possible backgrounds.

Our companies are:

Oracle Projects train young people aged 10-12 in basic theatre-making whilst also providing a pathway from primary school to secondary school.

Islington Youth Theatre is where it all started: a thriving company of young theatre-makers aged 12-16 who develop collaborative ensemble work and new writing projects.

Work in Progress is our flagship company: an extraordinary group of 30 young people aged 16-19 who are serious about a career in theatre.

OTHER PROJECTS

Drop-in workshops
Introductory theatre workshops run at Platform for young people interested in getting involved in theatre for the first time and who aren't involved in our regular companies.

Speakeasy
Our underground playwriting company for young writers aged 14-19.

Islington Youth Theatre is a permanent company of young people who live or go to school in Islington. We create productions and projects led by the ideas of our members and supported by a fully professional creative and production team.

In 2009 we were chosen to perform on the biggest stage in the UK at the National Theatre and were shortlisted for a prestigious Spirt of London Award.

Members are selected in collaboration with their drama teachers and youth workers, who help us to identify those young people who, for whatever reason, will most benefit from being part of IYT. Their work is supported by a fully professional team of theatre artists - directors, workshop leaders, technicians and designers - and by Islington Youth Theatre's 'Life Coach', who helps members set targets and attain their ambitions.

Our members are actively involved in all aspects of every production - including stage management, technical theatre, costume/set design and marketing. They select the plays and projects that they perform and lead the creative process.

Background

IYT was originally founded as a musical theatre company by Mary Huane and Len Cunningham at Islington Arts and Media School in 2002. Since then, the company has produced numerous full scale shows, including Room 304, devised and written by the cast, a new short film and, in 2008, our first ever production at the Pleasance Theatre, Sweeney Todd.