Estate-based Youth Theatres

We have been providing FREE 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.

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 provide seven regular youth theatres on Estates across Hackney, delivering weekly after-school sessions and running holiday projects. We offer accreditation for participants, which include AQAs, and regularly submit young people for achievement awards. Several of our projects also provide people with hot food or refreshments.

View Recent Reports

For ages 5-13

We are currently running five weekly youth theatres across the borough of Hackney:

Nightingale Youth Theatre

MONDAY 3:45 – 5:15pm
Ages 8-11
CURRENTLY ONLINE

Kingsmead Youngers Youth Theatre

TUESDAY 3:45 - 5:15pm
Ages 5-9
Wally Foster Community Centre, Homerton Road, Hackney,
E9 5QB

Kingsmead Olders Youth Theatre

TUESDAY 5.30 - 6.30pm
Ages 9-13
Wally Foster Community Centre, Homerton Road, Hackney,
E9 5QB

Pembury Youth Theatre

THURSDAY 3:45 – 5:15pm
Ages 8-12
Pembury Community Centre, Dalston Lane, Hackney, E8 1FA

Forest Road Youngers Youth Theatre

FRIDAY 4:15 – 5:30pm
Ages 5-12
Forest Rd Youth Hub, 29 Forest Road, E8 3BY

For ages 12-25

We are currently running three weekly youth theatres across the borough of Hackney:

Huddleston Youth Theatre

MONDAY 6 – 8pm
Ages 12-25 (for young people with disabilities)
Wally Foster Community Centre, Homerton Rd, Hackney,
E9 5QB

Wally Foster Youth Theatre

WEDNESDAY 5:30 - 6:45pm
Ages 12-18 (25 for young people with disabilities)
Wally Foster Community Centre, Homerton Road, Hackney,
E9 5QB

Forest Road Olders Youth Theatre

FRIDAY 6 – 8pm
Ages 12-25 years (inclusive of young people with disabilities)
Forest Rd Youth Hub, 29 Forest Road, E8 3BY

Stepping Up Transitions Programme

We run weekly online sessions for young people moving from Primary to Secondary school, aiming to ease the transition for young people who find this period in their lives overwhelming, confusing, and anxiety-inducing.

Thanks to funding from the Youth Endowment Fund, Stepping Up will run for a full year to provide continued support for participants across their first year of secondary school. The project provides opportunities for participants to gain accreditation and, at key milestones, the group will share their work with parents, carers, and if possible, form tutors via online platforms.