Estate-based Youth Theatres
We have been providing high quality open access youth theatres on estates in Hackney since 1998. The programme has engaged thousands of participants who do not traditionally have access to arts opportunities. All our sessions are free, inclusive and open to all.
Our Model
This established model aims to help participants develop improved interpersonal skills, artistic abilities, and emotional health & wellbeing, which has been endorsed by the Centre for Youth Impact as having a significant impact on young people. The projects are delivered within a community context and help to build community cohesion.
We are currently running nine free weekly youth theatres on Estates across Hackney for young people from ages 5-25, including a dedicated session for young people with disabilities. We also offer school holiday projects which provide participants with hot food or refreshments. We offer accreditation for participants, which include AQAs, and regularly submit young people for achievement awards.
Information about the New Term
After the Summer Holidays, our weekly sessions will resume on week commencing 12th September.
Our weekly sessions will pause during half-term, which is on week commencing 24th October.
After then, our sessions will continue up until week commencing 5th December.
Weekly Sessions for Ages 5-12
This term young people will be exploring the play Beauty and the Beast and devising their own shows to perform just in time for pantomime season.
Young people will be part of a creative, fun and safe environment lead by facilitators from the creative industry.
This term our key aims are:
- TO EXPLORE THE KEY CONCEPTS OF SELF-IMAGE, IDENTITY AND WEALTH
- TO RE-EXPLORE THE KEY ELEMENTS OF A PANTOMIME
- TO CONTIUALLY ENCOURAGE AGENCY AND EMPOWERMENT WITHIN OUR YOUNG PEOPLE
- TO GAIN CONFIDENCE THROUGH CREATIVITY
We encourage young people to attend all weekly sessions to maximise the benefits of the project.
Further details of each of our sessions can be found below. If you would like to chat about anything in more detail, or join one of our groups, please contact Estate-based Youth Theatre Participation Officer Charmain Humphrey via 07525 892953 or email EbYT Coordinator Gavin Dent at gavin@immediate-theatre.com
Session Details
AGES 8 - 11 MONDAYS 3.45 - 5.15 PM
Nightingale Luncheon Social Club, 19 Olympus Square, Hackney, E5 8PL
AGES 5 - 9 TUESDAYS 3.45 - 5.15 PM
AGES 9 - 13 TUESDAYS 5.30 - 7.00 PM
Kingsmead Community Centre, 9A Kingsmead Way, Hackney, E9 5QG
AGES 11 - 14
WEDNESDAYS 4:30 - 5:45pm
The Edge Youth Hub, 7 Woodberry Grove, Woodberry Down, N4 1SN
AGES 8 - 12 THURSDAYS 3.45 - 5.15 PM
Pembury Community Centre, Dalston Lane, Hackney, E8 1FA
Ages 5-12
FRIDAYS 4.00 – 5:30pm
Forest Rd Youth Hub, 29 Forest Road, Hackney, E8 3BY
Weekly Sessions for Ages 11-14
Take part in fun, weekly drama sessions where you will learn drama skills and explore devising techniques, writing scripts and performing. Our summer term sessions run up to Wednesday 13th July 2022. This term the group are exploring how different cultures celebrate, taking inspiration from Nine Night.
Every Wednesday 4.30-5.45pm, The Edge Youth Hub, 7 Woodberry Grove, Woodberry Down, N4 1SN
For more information or to join the group, please contact Drama Leader Eleanor Clack via 07498448876 or email eleanor@immediate-theatre.com
Advanced Youth Theatre (14+)
Our advanced group for ages 14+ focuses more on developing theatre skills, including acting, writing and directing. Participants have the opportunity to devise a piece of theatre each term, perform in different venues, and go on theatre trips to watch professional productions.
Every Wednesday 5.30-7.30pm, St Barnabas Homerton, High Street, Hackney, E9 6DL
This term we are working with professional theatre makers from Immediate Theatre and Maktub Arts to create an original play exploring the pressures of growing up in Hackney. You will have the opportunity to work with professional theatre makers from Immediate Theatre and Maktub Arts to develop a script for our summer youth theatre production.
Dedicated SEND Group (12-25)
We run a dedicated session for young people aged 12-25 with disabilities on Monday evenings. The weekly drama sessions provide a fun and supportive environment for participants to express themselves.
Every Monday 6-8pm, St Barnabas Homerton, High Street, Hackney, E9 6DL
For more information or to join the group, please contact Estate-based Youth Theatre Coordinator Gavin Dent via 07904261162 or email gavin@immediate-theatre.com