Saturday Youth Theatre (6-17 year olds) | The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama

Saturday Youth Theatre (6-17 year olds)

Central's Saturday Youth Theatre provides drama classes that are challenging, educational and enjoyable. You do not need any previous experience to take part in the Saturday Youth Theatre, just enthusiasm and commitment.

Saturday Morning Youth Theatre

    Course fee

    £265 per term


    Concessionary Rate

    £210 per term (proof of disability and/or unemployment is required)


    Sibling Discount

    10% off for siblings of existing students 

The Saturday Youth Theatre has been running successfully for many years, providing drama classes that are challenging, educational and enjoyable. You do not need any previous experience to take part in the Saturday Youth Theatre, just enthusiasm and commitment.

A range of drama techniques and theatrical forms are explored including improvisation, voice, movement, devising and working with text. The students explore a termly theme culminating in a sharing of their work to carers, family and friends. Recent themes have included Shakespeare, Plays from the Royal Court and Physical Theatre.

The aims of the classes are to:

  • develop cultural literacy
  • establish an interest in the performing arts
  • develop confidence, teamwork and cooperation
  • promote an enjoyment of drama and theatre
  • develop skills in movement and voice and the ability to interpret text.

In order to achieve these aims, you are expected to meet the following conditions:

  • maintain regular attendance and good punctuality
  • learn any work set by tutors
  • attend in the final week when your group will share their work.

Please note:

  • Classes take place at Central's main campus in Swiss Cottage, London.
  • Classes are divided according to birthdate (not necessarily school year)
  • students are placed in groups and these are non-negotiable
  • there is a maximum of 20 students per class
  • students cannot be guaranteed a place in a group with a friend
  • places are allocated to all applicants strictly on a first-come, first-served basis in order of payment
  • we do not run an agency
  • song and dance is not taught as part of the core curriculum
  • we expect all students to wear blacks (black leggings or jogging bottoms and a black top). We have a Central Youth Theatre T-shirt that is reasonably priced and we encourage our members to wear these. You can buy a T-shirt at registration, or during the term.

At Central the wellbeing and safety of our students is our upmost priority. All our youth theatre staff are subject to an enhanced DBS check and receive safeguarding training and advice. Please see Central's Safeguarding Policy for more details.

Saturday Youth Theatre students have gone on to:

  • study on Central’s undergraduate and postgraduate acting courses
  • study at University College London (UCL)
  • study at Bristol University
  • study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA)
  • study at Arts Educational Schools (ArtsEd)
  • act on stage and screen.

Booking

Our courses are available on a first-come, first served basis in order of payment. A place is not confirmed until payment has been received. To secure a place, please follow the steps below:-

1. Read through our Terms and Conditions by clicking on the link on the left-hand side of this webpage. 

2. Click on "Apply for ..... Term" on the left-hand side of this screen and complete the online application with your child's details.

3. You will then receive an automated email with confirmation of application and your Student ID number.

4. Please then call the office on 0207 559 3960 quoting your Student ID number to make payment of the course fee. Our phone line is open from 9am - 4.30pm,  Monday to Friday. 

Once the course is full, we will operate a waiting list in case places become available or we're able to put an additional class on. 

Term Dates and Times

Classes take place from 11:00am - 1:00pm on Saturdays. Please note, classes on the final three weeks will start at the slightly earlier time of 10am and finish at the normal time of 1pm.

Registration begins on the first Saturday of each term at 10.25am.

Spring 2019 Term Dates

Saturday 19 January 2019 – Saturday 23 March 2019
Half term break Saturday 16 February- NO CLASS
Please note 9, 16, 23 Mar classes are from 10am - 1pm

Summer 2019 Term Dates

Saturday 4 May 2019 – Saturday 6 July 2019
Half term break Saturday 25 May- NO CLASS
Please note 22, 29 June and 6 July classes are from 10am - 1pm