Stage is set for young playwrights and thespians at theatre summer school near Rushden

Children and young people have been invited to return to a popular theatre summer school held at a venue near Rushden and for budding Shakespeares to submit play scripts for a competition.

Sharnbrook Mill Theatre's Youth Summer School will celebrate its 20th year with a series of one-day workshops with the theme of Revival.

The theatre has also invited teen writers to submit an entry in the Young Playwrights’ Showcase, after its successful introduction last year.

Kathryn Rose, summer school co-ordinator, said: “We’re so excited to be able to run the summer cchool this year for our youth.

"We’ve changed the format to abide with Government regulations but the ethos of the school remains the same - to give young people an innovative space to create theatre and make friends.

"Our tutors cannot wait to work with everyone again.”

The Youth Summer School runs from July 27 to July 30 and offers anyone aged between six and 18-years-old the chance to develop performance and communication skills in a series of one-day workshops.

Young writers will have the opportunity to see their work performed on the stage and work with an adult mentor to hone their craft.

Youth Summer School youth ambassador Connie said: “The Young Playwrights’ Showcase is an amazing opportunity for young writers aged 13 to 18 to create a piece of theatre which will be performed at our lovely theatre.

"This will be a fun, enjoyable and creative time for young people who will hopefully learn a great deal from the mentors and also when they see the final result of their piece of theatre feel proud of what they have created."

In a new initiative, the Youth Team is setting up the Youth Theatre Workshop Programme for those aged 13 to 18 years to explore all areas of theatre including performance, directing, design, marketing and technical.

The aim is to highlight the variety of jobs and skills needed to make productions happen and to open opportunities across the Trust for all ages.

The culmination of the workshops will be a youth-led performance of the playwright pieces in a showcase using all the skills they’ve learnt and developed over the programme.

Spaces are limited to 15 students each day and the cost is £35 per day.

Anyone wanting to submit a play for consideration should write the piece on the theme of ‘Revival’, be written for a cast size of one to five people, have a minimum running time of ten minutes and a maximum of 20 minutes, and must be performable at The Mill with minimal props and no set.

All entries will have an adult mentor to help develop and guide the writing with the pieces being performed later this year in collaboration with the Youth Theatre Workshop Programme.

Young playwrights between 13 and 18-years-old should register their interest in the competition by Friday, April 30, with final prices to be submitted by August 28.

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