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.

As well as the main Islington Youth Theatre company (for 30 young people aged 12-16), we also run two other projects:

The Oracle Project, for young people aged 10-12 who are just starting at Secondary School - or are due to join next year.

Work In Progress, a new advanced theatre project starting in September 2009 for young people aged 16-22

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', a specialist youth counsellor 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.

Over the last eight years, Islington Youth Theatre has performed locally at the Lillian Baylis Theatre, the Urdang Academy and Pleasance Theatre Islington.

2009/10 Production
Full details of our next production, to be performed at Pleasance Theatre Islington in March 2010 will be announced soon.  We are also planning a number of smaller theatre events throughout Autum 2009 and Spring 2010.

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.

The company is now led by Ned Glasier and has 40 members representing seven different schools and colleges across the borough.  Since 2008 we have been based at Pleasance Theatre Islington and Islington Arts and Media School.

Becoming a Member
We work directly with schools and youth groups to identify those young people who we think will most benefit from being part of our high-quality projects.  Our only criteria is that you live or study in Islington, that you are enthusiastic and that you able to work well with other people.  We do not select based on talent.

If you are interested in becoming a member you can either talk to your Head of Drama or email us on iyt@islingtoncommunitytheatre.com.

More about IYT from the Spirit of London Awards: