A new scheme to deliver high quality youth theatre activities in the West Sussex region has received funding of nearly £60,000 from Arts Council England. Chichester Festival Theatre and Horsham District Council will work in partnership to set up new youth theatre groups throughout the region.
The funding has been given in recognition of CFYT, West Sussex’s commitment to extending youth theatre provision across West Sussex, and will enable them to develop a three-year programme of activities. Plans include the creation of 10 new weekly youth theatre satellite groups in locations such as Lancing, Crawley, Storrington, Burgess Hill and Billingshurst for young peple aged 10-19, including one specifically for young people with learning difficulties.
There will be a two-year technical youth theatre course for 15- to 19-year-olds at the Capitol offering Arts Award accreditation (based on the scheme already offered by Chichester Festival Youth Theatre) and professional development training at the Capitol for youth theatre practitioners and drama teachers.
Dale Rooks, Chichester Festival Theatre’s youth theatre director, said, “This is very exciting news and we greatly appreciate this positive endorsement of the project from Arts Council England and the support we’ve received from West Sussex County Council.
"We are delighted to be working in partnership with schools across the county. The Capitol and Horsham District Council drawing on their knowledge and understanding of the catchment area to extend our existing satellite youth theatre service.
"Our new groups will offer high quality activities which will be inspiring, fun, and open to everyone. It’s a great opportunity to introduce many more young people in West Sussex to the excitement and enjoyment of theatre, as well as the broad mix of creative and practical skills that it offers.”
Jonathan Chowen, Horsham District Council’s Cabinet Member for Arts, Heritage & Leisure said, “We are committed to developing a theatre programme for young people in West Sussex and are extremely pleased that we’re now in a position to do this. Chichester Festival Theatre has established a reputation for delivering high quality youth theatre and we are looking forward to drawing on their expertise and working closely together in partnership.”
Peter Griffiths, West Sussex Cabinet Member for Education and Schools, said he was delighted at the grant and the range of work it will pay for.
He added, “I’ve always believed that the new partnership would bring about some exciting opportunities for young people, and this is now becoming a reality. This can only be of benefit to young people in our county who are interested in the performing arts.”
Chichester Festival Youth Theatre currently has over 600 young people from 88 schools across the region participating in its activities, with a waiting list of nearly 500. They have already produced numerous successful productions including Noah, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, Alice in Wonderland, The Firework-maker’s Daughter, The Snow Queen, James and the Giant Peach, A Christmas Carol and The Toad of Toad Hall. Although based in Chichester, there are satellite groups in Bognor, Leigh Park, Littlehampton and Midhurst.
Free taster sessions will be taking place in November and December:
- 26h November - 4th December at Imberhorne School, East Grinstead
- 15th November - Durrington High School, Worthing
- 22nd November - The Hub, Central Sussex College Sixth Form, Haywards Heath - 5 p.m for years 7 to 9 and 6.30 p.m. for years 10 to 11.