Central Youth Theatre looking to encourage the backstage stars of tomorrow

Wolverhampton’s Central Youth Theatre (CYT) are running a training programme for young people aged 13-25 with an interest in behind-the-scenes production during the Easter holidays. The training seeks to encourage young people to take their first steps towards a creative career. PASSION FOR PRODUCTION is a 6-day programme of creative workshops running from the 12^th – 21^st April focussing on costume design, lighting, sound and prop and scenery creation. The workshops will teach young people skills in backstage specialisms whilst also helping to resource their five site-specific performances being staged across the city throughout the summer.

The 6-day programme, open to 13-25s, runs across both weeks of the Easter holidays; 12^th – 14^th and 19^th – 21^st April. Each day runs independently from each other, so young people can sign up for as many days as they like. Tuesday workshops will focus on sound and lighting, Wednesdays on set and prop creation and Thursdays on costume design.

The workshops will be supported by industry professionals working in the creative sector, some of whom are former members of the youth theatre. They will teach young people invaluable skills using first hand experience.

Prices start at £10 per day with discounts available and will run from the Newhampton Arts Centre and Actors Wardrobe on Stowheath Lane – the youth theatre’s costume base in Bilston, home to over 10,000 theatrical costumes. Annie Fletcher-Hall, Chief Operations Officer of CYT commented “We’re thrilled to be able to highlight the varied opportunities available to young people behind the scenes. There’s so much more to theatre than just acting and we hope that lots of young people will begin their creative journey from these experiences. They’ll also be invited to see their work in action, showcased across five CYT productions staged in June/July which will hopefully be really rewarding”.

Several former members of the youth theatre have gone on to have incredibly successful careers in the production industry, including award winning lighting designer Tim Routledge, originally from Whitmore Reans. Amongst many other credits, Tim has headed the lighting team of Beyonce’s World tour, the London 2012 opening ceremony and most recently, the Concert for Ukraine. To find out more information or to enrol contact admin@centralyouttheatre.org or visit www.centralyouththeatre.org