Calling all Young Directors!

Are you passionate about theatre and eager to step into a director role? Here’s your chance with Lewisham Youth Theatre’s exciting opportunity to train and work as a Young Director for our upcoming ‘Festival of Short Scenes’!

Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to start  your directing career with Lewisham Youth Theatre!

Apply by Thursday 18th April! See Link Below! 

Who is it for?

Lewisham-based young artists aged 18-25 who are interested in learning to direct short scenes.

You will have some experience of leading drama activities either in paid or volunteer roles, and you may have experience being directed as a performer.

You will be interested in the possibilities of a career as a theatre director and eager to take the next step in your creative journey.

What does the Young Directors’ Training offer?

You will:

• Gain hands-on training from professional theatre directors while directing a short scripted scene.
• Work closely with a talented group of young actors.
• Learn about the dynamics of the rehearsal room and the relationships within the creative team.
• Support and facilitate the growth of young actors.
• Experience the journey of creating a show from the first rehearsal to the final performance.
• AQA Accreditation
• Benefit from personal mentoring from our Creative Director.

When is the training?

Training Dates: 

Intensive Training: Tuesday 30th April  & Wednesday 1st May, 10am – 4pm
Fortnightly Training: May 1st, 7th & 21st, June 11th & 25th (6-8pm)

Young Directors Placement: 

Weekly Rehearsals on Wednesday or Thursday evenings
Duration: May – August 2024
Placement Fee:  (Please inquire for details)

How Do I Get Involved?

Click this link to apply. 

Application Deadline: Thursday  18th  April  2024

Workshop Interview: Wednesday 24th April 2024

Questions? If you have any questions please email Subira Damali  (Progression Coordinator) or call/text 07960 095 064

“It was excellent! Very imaginative & immersive. The sets were very impressive” – Parent

“It was amazing! A really fantanstic insight into how Lewisham is seen from the eyes of young people in the area” – Parent

Junior Youth Theatre 12-14s Present:

“MyLife Now”

The Junior Performance Company presented “MyLife Now”, a snap shot of LYT member’s lives today, inspired by 2008 performance My Life and with filmed contributions from the original participants – now professionals.

Project dates: May-July 2023

Performance dates: 29th July 2023

Performance Groups: Junior Youth Theatre 12-14s Performance Company

Participants: 18 performers and 2 graduate creatives supporting as assistant writers & directors.

Downloads: MyLifeNow Programme

LYT’s Performance Projects 2023 have been made possible by:
National Lottery Community Fund, Lewisham Culture Grant, Garfield Weston Foundation, Lee Charity of William Hatcliffe and the Hillcote Trust. Residency in the Creative Hub on Lewisham High Street is supported by LandSec and Lewisham Central NCIL funding.

Graduate Acting Company 21-25s Present:

“Live it Down”

The Gradate Acting Company led a tour of performance Live it Down to schools and practitioner events across the borough, including the launch of Engage, a Violence Reduction Unit initiative.

Project dates: March-June 2023

Performance dates: 21st March, 21st April, 8th June, 15th June & 27th June 2023

Performance Groups: Graduate Acting Company

Participants: 4 performers

Downloads: LIVE IT DOWN – School’s tour pack – Programme

LYT’s Performance Projects 2023 have been made possible by:
National Lottery Community Fund, Lewisham Culture Grant, Garfield Weston Foundation, Lee Charity of William Hatcliffe and . Residency in the Creative Hub on Lewisham High Street is supported by LandSec and Lewisham Central NCIL funding.

“Fantastic, insightful examination of the impact of social media on young people” – Parent

“Emotionally heavy, but incredibly moving. Emotions have a lot of actions” – Parent

Senior Youth Theatre 17-21s Present:

“#Confession Challenge”

Senior Youth Theatre Acting Company presented “Confession Challenge”, which explores the impact of social media on young people and the effects on thier mental health when things go wrong. The Acting Company performed Confession Challenge at LYT, Fuse International Festival in Kingston and The Broadway Studio, Catford.

Project dates: May-July 2023

Performance dates: 6th, 8th & 21st July 2023

Performance Groups: Senior Youth Theatre Devising 17-21s Company

Participants: 10 performers and 3 graduate creatives supporting as assistant writers & directors.

Downloads: Confession Challenge Programme

Made possible by:
Arts Council England and National Lottery Community Fund. Residency in the Creative Hub on Lewisham High Street is supported by LandSec and Lewisham Central NCIL fundin

“It was joyful, very organised and well put together by these young talents” – Parent

“Incredible creativity on display; obviously well directed, curated and supported by LYT” – Parent

Senior Youth Theatre 14-17s Present:

“Tales from the Lewisham Arms”

Senior Youth Theatre Devising Company presented “Tales from the Lewisham Arms”, a series of scratch performances written and performed by our young artists. Inspired by a festival of work by young creatives who took part in Hatch, a pilot project for 18-25s seeking to develop their chosen specialities.

Project dates: May-August 2023

Performance dates: 2nd August 2023

Performance Groups: Senior Youth Theatre Devising 14-17s Company

Participants: 16 performers and 2 graduate creatives supporting as assistant writers & directors.

Downloads: Tales From Lewisham Arms Programme

LYT’s Performance Projects 2023 have been made possible by:
National Lottery Community Fund, Lewisham Culture Grant, Garfield Weston Foundation, Lee Charity of William Hatcliffe and . Residency in the Creative Hub on Lewisham High Street is supported by LandSec and Lewisham Central NCIL funding.

SOCIAL HUB IS BACK AT LYT FROM MAY…

Are you aged 11-18 and in Lewisham Town Centre after school?
Do you want a safe space to hang out with friends?

JOIN US ON FRIDAYS IN MAY-JULY!

WHAT IS THE SOCIAL HUB? 

LYT’s Social Hub is back at LYT’s Creative Hub. It is a safe space for young people aged 11-18 to hang out with friends after school on a Friday.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN AT THE SOCIAL HUB?

You’ll be able to have some snacks and chat with your friends. If you like, there will be some informal creative activities for you to take part in. You’ll also be able to learn about other opportunities and get support.

You can drop in to the Social Hub – you don’t need to stay for the whole session, or sign up beforehand.

WHEN IS THE SOCIAL HUB?

Fridays 5th May – 14th July, 3:30-5.30pm

WHERE CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION?

Email Angus, call 020 8318 2508 or Text ‘Social Hub Info’ to 07435 969 157

MAJOR NEW GRANT TO SUPPORT
YOUTH-LED CREATIVITY IN LEWISHAM

PRESS RELEASE
21 November 2022

Lewisham Youth Theatre wins £422k from National Lottery

Fast-growing London youth theatre to create a Creative Hub empowering 800+ young people from ages of 7-25 in South of Lewisham borough.

Lewisham Youth Theatre (LYT) has received a £422,678 5-year grant from the National Lottery Community Fund to create a youth-led Creative Hub in Lewisham, placing young people’s creativity at the centre of a broad programme of activities that will see them take on roles as writers, directors, performers, designers and technicians.

Currently based in Lewisham Shopping Centre, the Creative Hub will particularly benefit young people from the South of Lewisham borough – an area of high deprivation with historically low investment in high-quality creative activities.

The charity’s patron, award-winning Gangs of London and His Dark Materials star Lucian Msamati says, “The good folk at Lewisham Youth Theatre know how to have serious fun, and they’re taking some big steps to build young people’s creativity and to make a serious difference in Lewisham. Bringing people together to share stories, to commune, to understand each other – that’s serious fun.”

Executive Director, Victoria Shaskan, says: “We are thrilled to receive the National Lottery’s support, which will create a step-change in how we build young people’s creative leadership in Lewisham. Our participants come from diverse communities across Lewisham borough, and they face a multitude of barriers to developing their creativity and progressing in the creative industries. The Creative Hub will make sure local young people can tell their own stories through high quality creative projects.”

2022 awards

News of the funding award comes in a month of achievements for the established youth arts charity. On 9^th November, Lewisham Youth Theatre won Best in Creative Sector in the Mayor of Lewisham Business Awards, beating out several other local theatres in this publicly nominated and chosen award. On 18^th November, two LYT participants appeared on BBC Children in Need appeal night with Graham Norton.

This month has also seen emerging local creatives aged 16-25 gain access to masterclasses with award-winning creatives including actors Lucian Msamati (Gangs of London; His Dark Materials) and Patrice Naiambana (National Theatre, Young Vic, RSC), director Mojisola Elefowoju and writer Oladipo Agboluaje (recent National Theatre Writer-in-Residence).

LYT will announce the National Lottery award and receive formal congratulations from Lewisham Council at their full Council meeting on Wednesday 23^rd November, 7.30pm (Civic Suite, Catford, SE6 4RU)

About Lewisham Youth Theatre: “LYT is so much more than a youth theatre” – former participant. For over 35 years, Lewisham Youth Theatre has provided FREE drama, performance and technical activities with Lewisham young people aged 3-25, helping to improve their long-term well-being and life chances. Over ¾ of LYT participants face significant disadvantage, including poverty, learning difficulty, mental health needs, family disruption and other marginalisation.

Reflecting the demographics of Lewisham young people, the majority of LYT participants come Global Majority communities. LYT’s programmes help participants succeed in broad future career environments, both within and outside the arts.

For more information, contact:

Victoria Shaskan, Executive Director – 020 8318 2508 / victoria@lewishamyouththeatre.com

Website: www.lewishamyouththeatre.com    Twitter/Instagram: @lewyoutheatre

You Are Invited To

EMERGING ARTISTS SHOWCASE

7th December, 7.30pm
at LYT’s Creative Hub
142-144 Lewisham High Street

For tickets: email Helen or call 020 83182508

Join LYT’s Graduate Creatives for an evening of performances
created and produced by emerging creatives aged 19-25

Performances include:

Live It Down

a Forum-theatre performance started before the pandemic
about reputation and expectation,
created by the young company and Helen Stanley.

How Creativity Made Me Think Differently

a series of funny, hard-hitting and authentic monologues
exploring the impact of creativity on mental health

LYT’S MEMBERS’ COMMITTEE

invite you to the Annual Review 2022

A YOUTH-LED CREATIVE HUB

an evening celebrating young people’s
creativity, voices and leadership
in LYT’s new home in the heart of Lewisham.

Thursday 27th October, 6.30pm
Lewisham Youth Theatre
142-144 Lewisham High Street, SE13 6JG

Join us for an exciting evening exploring our new home
Hear from participants about how they’ve used their creativity and voices
to build and perform in the Creative Hub
and what their plans are for the coming year.

Light Refreshments will be served

RSVP by Monday 24th October

Book Your Space Here