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activ8 Youth Theatre

Weekly, age-specific youth theatre sessions for 5 - 17 year olds.

Stages 1 and 2 (ages 5 - 11 years)
Our Youth Theatres provides the opportunity to work with a professional workshop leader to develop drama, theatre and personal skills in a creative and fun environment.

These two groups meet on alternate Saturday mornings throughout term time.

Participation in Stages 1 and 2 of the Youth Theatre costs £26 per term.

Stages 3, 4 and 5 (ages 11 - 18 years)
Young people meet and work creatively with professional directors, actors, writers and designers. activ8's stages 3, 4 and 5 Youth Theatre encourages young people to learn skills in improvisation, character building and playwriting, and gives participants the opportunity to learn more about what happens 'behind-the-scenes' of a theatre. The sessions also aim to build participants' confidence, encourage self-awareness and provide an opportunity to meet new people and have fun, as well as the chance to perform in front of a live audience at the Octagon Theatre.

These groups meet every Wednesday evening throughout the term time. Participation costs £35 per term.

Satellite Youth Theatre

Due to activ8 Youth Theatre’s great success we have decided to expand, and have created Satellite Youth Theatre. Our Satellite Youth Theatre's are located in different communities throughout Bolton. If you would like activ8 to come to your community please contact Ellie on 01204 556 501 or email her at ellie.while@octagonbolton.co.uk. We currently run two satellite youth theatre's in Breightmet and Great Lever.

This Youth Theatre is absolutely free and available to young people from Great Lever and Farnworth aged between 10 and 14. You can get an application form for 'activ8 Great Lever' by calling activ8 on 01204 556 501.

Recruitment is on a first come first serve basis so book early to avoid disappointment.

activ8 Satellite Youth Theatre - Great Lever

Where: Nightingale Centre, Nightingale Walk (off Rishton Lane) Great Lever.
When: Every Monday during term time.
Time: 4-5.30pm

This youth Theatre is absolutely free and available to young people aged between 10 and 13. You can get an application form by calling activ8 on 01204 556 501.

activ8 Satellite Youth Theatre - Breightmet

Where: Withins School, Newby Road, Breightmet.
When: Every Thursday during term time.
Time: 4-5.30

Coming soon....

activ8 Satellite Youth Theatre - Bridges

A new Satellite Youth Theatre provision for young people with learning disabilities. Due to begin in May 2007.



Other activities open to Children and Young People

In celebration of the Octagon Theatre’s 40th anniversary
activ8 and Bolton Lads and Girls Club will present one of the most ambitious pieces of youth theatre ever to hit Bolton. Our production involves up to 150 young people in its creation and will be performed by a cast of 50.

The young people of Bolton bring you …

‘Millboys, Chavs and Space Cadets’
A multi media theatrical journey of Youth Culture in Bolton from past to present to the future.

How can I get involved?
The writers
A series of taster workshops will be led by activ8 and writer Mike Crowley in May 2007. These workshops will use drama and creative writing to create and research ideas for the script. Any budding young writers should contact activ8 for more information.

The cast
30 performers will be recruited from activ8’s youth theatre and from young people involved in the activities at Bolton Lads and Girls Club. An open audition will also be held to cast a further 10 young people as actors and/or singers. To register your interest in attending an audition contact activ8.

The crew
We are also hoping to recruit a team of 10 young people to work as a production team and backstage crew. They will be involved in film-making, music creation, design, lighting, stage management and marketing and publicity. These young people will be given the opportunity work towards their Arts Council bronze arts awards. To apply for a place on this team contact activ8 for an application form. We particularly welcome referrals from agencies working with young people at risk.

When will this take place?
Workshops are due to begin in May 2007, auditions will take place in June and the cast will work towards a performance in November 2007.

How much will it cost?
£75 (this includes the fee for a two week intensive summer school project)
Thanks to the generous sponsorship of United Co-operative, 10 places on this project will be offered free of charge for young people in need of financial assistance. Please contact us for more details.

Play In A Week
Half Term Projects
For young people aged 8-11

Play In A Week is a fantastic opportunity for young people to make new friends, learn new skills and be part of the process of creating a performance.

Ellie While, activ8’s Children and Youth Drama Facilitator, says: “Previous Play In A Week projects have proven to be a great success, performance skills are developed, new friends are made and the performances are a spectacular culmination of acting, story-telling, music, movement, costumes, props and face paints. All produced and performed by the participants!”


International Play in a Week
May Half Term 07.
For young people aged 10-13

This half term, Play In A Week is going to be even more exciting than usual. Participants will be working with a Bolton based drama worker and musician as well as two Chinese artists - a drama student from Shanghai Theatre academy and a music tutor from Zhaoqing University.

The performance will be based around Chinese fables. The participants will develop these stories into an enchanting performance.
A further 5-10 young people drawn from Bolton's Music Service will also create a piece of music, influenced by Chinese styles, to accompany this performance.

If you are interested in this exciting one-off project please contact Helen or Ellie on 01204 556 501. There will be 20 places available to young people aged between 10 and 13 for the drama strand of this project and approximately 10 places available to young people aged between 13 and 15 who are experienced musicians.

Play In A Week costs £50 per participant. For any more details contact Helen or Ellie on 01204 556501 or email helen.keenan@octagonbolton.co.uk

For more information on the Youth Theatre, and events for children and young people, contact activ8 on 01204 556501.
Home What's on Booking information General information Get involved Business focus
  40th Anniversary Ticket Information & Prices Octagon Profile activ8 Sponsorship
  Celebrating 40 Years Booking Tickets Recruitment & Casting Youth theatre - Current Sponsors
  Latest News Group Bookers Spotlight Cafe & Bar Community projects - Corporate Membership
  Archive Location & Travel Keep in Touch Education - Production Sponsorship
    Access Contact us   - Individual Support & Donations
      Useful Links   Hire
          Entertainment
Contact us | Terms and Conditions | Company Information Back to Main Site