Applications open for free theatre opportunities for young people

Exciting and free opportunities await young talents aged 14-25 as the Young Everyman Playhouse (YEP), an integral part of the award-winning Everyman & Playhouse Theatres, opens its doors for applications.  

YEP is a place of playful creativity for young people to be themselves, tell stories and gain opportunities in the creative industry.  It offers a wide spectrum of opportunities for actors, directors, producers, technicians, and writers.  

All strands will collaborate with outstanding professional artists to develop participants’ creativity, enabling them to acquire new skills and qualifications in the welcoming and supportive environment of the theatres. The actor and technician categories are also open to individuals aged 14-17.   

Hayley Lindley-Thornhill, head of young people and community at YEP, said: “We are excited to open applications for YEP for those who are ready to learn new skills, take on challenges and make friends.   

“We have been working with our young advisors who have encouraged us to make changes and adapt our programmes to meet the needs of under-represented young people and help them begin creative careers and develop their confidence.  

“Our programmes cover many areas for young people to gain insight into creative futures. This year we have added a group for 14–17-year-olds to develop and explore their technical theatre skills. Successful applicants will take part in high-quality training led by experienced industry professionals and will have opportunities to showcase their work throughout the year.”  

 For more than a decade, YEP has developed an array of creative industry talent, working in theatre, TV and film. Some now work in key roles at the theatres, while graduates Jamie Carragher, was staff writer of Succession, the Golden Globe-winning television series, and Josie Sedgwick-Davies, celebrated for her role as Frizzle in the latest Netflix animated film, Chicken Run: Dawn Of The Nugget.  

A recent graduate from the technician programme said that the practical experience was invaluable to their career development: “I started YEP Technicians at a time without prior experience in tech. It provided me with so many amazing opportunities to gain hands-on experience in technical theatre. It wasn’t only the technical side of this course that inspired me but also the life skills and lessons I learnt along the way which will stay with me for the rest of my life!”  

YEP provides educational and creative opportunities for 14-25-year-olds in Liverpool. The free courses offer participants regular theatre trips, weekly sessions with staff, and masterclasses with industry professionals to develop their skills and understanding.  

Everyone is invited to register for the YEP Recruitment Open Days to meet the team and ask questions about the programmes. The dates for specific sessions are as follows: YEP Directors and YEP Writers on Monday 15 January; YEP Actors 14-17 and 18-25 on Tuesday 16 January; YEP Producers and YEP Technicians 18-25 on Wednesday 17 January; and a session for the YEP Technicians 14-17 programme on Wednesday 3 April.  

The deadline for applications is Sunday 21 January. Visit YEP | Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse theatres (everymanplayhouse.com) for more information.