We think it’s important there are free, regular spaces to connect with other youth theatre makers, to learn together and to dream big for the sector.
Since 2024, we’ve partnered with England’s Youth Theatre NPOs and special guests to offer free, regular online spaces to discuss the practice of running a youth theatre today.
Each session explores a key theme and is led by an organisation or practitioner with relevant expertise. The topics from October to December 2025 are based on what 150 youth theatre leaders from across the country highlighted as priority areas during the Youth Theatre Together event in June 2025.
In the Running a Youth Theatre sessions, you'll hear about their real-world perspectives and practice, participate in a task or provocation, and have space to ask any questions you have to the session leader and other makers in the room.
This is a space to learn, reflect, and connect with others working across the sector - whether you're new to the role or have years of experience.
All sessions are free, held on Zoom and are open to anyone using performance in their work with young people.
Running a Youth Theatre is led by: 20 Stories High, Burnley Youth Theatre, Company Three, Mortal Fools, Prime Theatre and Theatre Factory, and some invited guests and experts.
Upcoming Sessions.
If you have any questions, feedback, or would like to suggest a topic for us, please get in touch at hello@companythree.co.uk
Leadership and Resource Planning
With Burnley Youth Theatre.
Wednesday 25 February 1:00-2:30pm
Join our online training session to explore effective leadership and resource planning strategies when running a youth theatre.
Learn from Burnley Youth Theatre’s experiences around leading a team, making the most of limited resources and navigating today’s challenging funding, staffing and energy landscape.
For: Leaders, General Managers, Producer, Artistic Directors, Executive Directors, CEOs
Organisational Development: Fundraising
With Ruth Sorby.
Tuesday 10 March 1:00-2:30pm
Explore charity fundraising with special guest Ruth Sorby, an experienced development professional working in the not for profit sector over the past two decades with organisations like Worldreader and Action for Children.
Please add any themes, topics or challenges you have when signing up so that Ruth can tailor the session according to the group’s needs.
For: Leaders, General Managers, Producer, Artistic Directors, Executive Directors, CEOs and Trustees
Organisational Development: Staffing Models & Recruitment
With Mortal Fools.
Tuesday 24 March 1:00-2:30pm
Mortal Fools will share their experience of different staffing models and successful recruitment strategies for core staff and freelancers within the youth theatre sector. Explore practical approaches, share experiences and discover ways to build and sustain strong teams.
For: Leaders, General Managers, Producer, Artistic Directors, Executive Directors, CEOs
Young people’s experience and agency - across a whole organisation
With 20 Stories High.
Tuesday 7 April 1:00-2:30pm.
Learn from 20 Stories High how to actively listen to young people and involve them in decision-making across all areas of an organisation - not just in the rehearsal room. We hear the term ‘youth voice’ often, but what does it really mean, and how can we genuinely embed it throughout our youth theatres?
For: leaders, producers, artistic directors, people working in youth theatre, directors, executive directors, producers
Youth Agency - in the rehearsal room
With Company Three
Tuesday 21 April 1:00-2:30pm
Explore how we develop and encourage autonomy when making theatre and performance with young people. In this session we will look at games, warm ups and exercises which generate and centre the words and opinions of our young people, to create text for the co-created work we make. This session will be full of practical tips.
For: artistic directors, people working in youth theatre, facilitators, directors, and people making work in the room.
Youth Agency - Moving from youth theatre to professional practice
With Theatre Factory.
Tuesday 5 May 1:00-2:30pm
Learn how young people can transition from youth theatre to professional practice with Theatre Factory. Hear real experiences and practical strategies to support progression and growth at every stage.
For: artistic directors, people working in youth theatre, producers, facilitators, directors, and people making work in the room.
‘It's supportive to know things can change and be done differently.’
Running a Youth Theatre participant.
How it works
Each session is 1.5 hours long, with the first hour a training session and the final half hour a facilitated space to ask any questions or discuss anything related to the session topic.
You can sign up for free via this link and will receive a Zoom link to join the session.
We will share a recording of the session with attendees afterwards.
If you have any questions, feedback, or would like to suggest a topic for us, please get in touch with Gabi at gabi@companythree.co.uk
Access and Social GRACES
We want these sessions to be open and accessible to everyone. When you sign up, please let us know if you have any access requirements, or adjustments we can make so you are able to fully participate. We may be in touch to discuss those with you.
At Company Three, the Social GRACES is our approach to equity and representation. We want everyone who engages with our work to be able to be themselves, and try to be proactive in recognising and challenging inequality and celebrating difference. If anything during a Running a Youth Theatre session makes you feel uncomfortable, or if you would like to discuss anything relating to the Social GRACES ahead of a session, please get in touch.
Notes and recordings from previous sessions.
Our sessions in 2024 were: Organisational Structure with Mortal Fools and Prime Theatre; Beginnings and Endings with Company Three and Mortal Fools; Safeguarding with 20 Stories High and Theatre Factory; Climate Action with Theatre Factory; Fundraising with Burnley Youth Theatre and Mortal Fools; Inclusion and Access with Company Three, Theatre Factory, 20 Stories High, Mortal Fools and Prime Theatre; Recruiting and Supporting Staff with 20 Stories High and Company Three; Cocreating with Young People with Mortal Fools and Prime Theatre; Pastoral Care and Supporting Young People with 20 Stories High and Burnley Youth Theatre; Building a Programme of Work with Company Three and 20 Stories High; and Ask us Anything with Company Three, Theatre Factory, 20 Stories High, Mortal Fools, Prime Theatre and Zest Theatre.
Click below to download the notes, powerpoints and to watch recordings from those sessions.
