It’s a love for us, it doesn’t feel like work, it just feels like we are having incredible fun

Every evening of the week, young people from all parts of the country, from Malin to Mizen, take part in youth theatre. Each week, on average, more than 2,600 Irish young people participate in over 500 hours of drama activities with 55 Youth Theatre Ireland affiliated youth theatres around the country. For many years this network of youth theatre groups has been an intrinsic part of the Irish theatre infrastructure and has launched some of our best known actors.

Youth Theatre Ireland Photo Ros Kavanagh

With the support of Creative Ireland, Youth Theatre Ireland is able to roll-out a new nationwide expansion programme. This includes designing and implementing a structure for the development, training and start-up of youth theatre groups.

It also means that Youth Theatre Ireland will expand their presence to a new group in Dublin as well as Offaly and Westmeath – two counties where there had previously been no formal youth theatre.

With Creative Ireland’s support Youth Theatre Ireland now has a dedicated Special Projects Officer to set up new partnerships with local groups and youth services to  expand youth theatre into new areas and provide introductory taster workshops for young people.

Youth Theatre Ireland Photo Ros Kavanagh

In addition to providing young people with opportunities to develop their creative skills and foster a love of other art-forms, participation in youth theatre is proven to increase levels of self-esteem and confidence, improve one’s sense of wellbeing and happiness, provides  opportunities to explore issues and stories that matter, and helps enhance levels of achievement at school and other areas of life.

Our support for Youth Theatre Ireland is part of our ‘Creative Youth’ plan to enable to the creative potential of every child in Ireland