Youth Theatre
The Chipstead Players’ Youth Theatre
consists of a group of enthusiastic actors, singers, dancers and backstage workers, ranging in age from 7 to 18.
In the last few years our Youth Theatre members have taken part in a full range of high standard shows – panto, big musicals and serious drama.
Recent examples include Our Day Out, Anne of Green Gables, Moonfleece and Treasure Island. We regularly combine with the adult Players to produce ambitious shows such as The Diary of Anne Frank and Goodnight Mister Tom.
Our youth shows are scheduled for the September, January and April of each season and are cast by open audition. The auditions are advertised on this website and local media platforms – and if you’re already a member, you’ll receive the details by email too.
Certainly – we’d love to have you and it’s a great way of keeping up to date with what’s going on. Go to our Membership page, select the correct membership category, and you’ll be invited to fill out a membership form.
Membership for Youth Theatre and Student members is £10 per year.
You don’t have to be a paid-up member in order to audition, but you’ll have to join if you get cast in a show or become a member of the crew.
The Players’ September production is usually for our older Youth Theatre members (mid to late teens) and has involved members of the Senior Players as well. In 2022, the play was Moonfleece. The April show is for the younger members, aged from 7 and up to mid teens – this year it will be Body Talk. The January production is a family show, with a mixed cast of both adult and youth members. Sometimes there are roles for younger members in the four adult productions, too.
Each director will advise prospective cast members at the audition when rehearsals will be. You will have to be able to commit to these dates and times before we can cast you.
Rehearsals usually start about 3 months before production and will include weekdays in the evening and Sunday afternoon rehearsals. We work hard to call you to attend only if you’re needed for the scenes being practised, but as we get closer to ‘curtain up’ you’ll be needed for all dates.
There are lots of opportunities to help backstage. We love to encourage involvement and have had Youth Theatre members involved in Stage Management, Sound and Light Operation, Hair and Makeup, Costumes and Props. Please let us know when you become a member and/or when you respond to an audition notice and we’ll find a niche for you.
We sometimes run workshops and social events for Youth Theatre members. Once you join, you’ll receive emails of forthcoming events, or be able to read about them in our news mailshot.
If you like the idea of a regular drama class, then the Helen O’Grady Drama Academy may well be for you. These classes provide drama workshops based at the Courtyard Theatre on a Friday evening. It’s a great way of making new friends, promoting confidence, communication, and creativity through drama.
For more details call 020 8667 9812 or see the section below.