Teenagers to programme events at Rotherham's Civic Theatre

Tom Rigby with Samia Nasir (12) (left to right), Sally Biancardi (12), Renae Dorricott (13) and Usyara Nehar (14). Photograph by Richard Walker/ImageNorth

“FOR young people, by young people” - that is the theme behind putting a group of teenagers in charge of creativity at a theatre for a week as the venue prepares for the first ever “youth takeover” event in its 63-year history.

Eighteen young people aged 13 to 16 have been given free rein to programme what they want at the Civic between next Monday and Sunday as part of a project in collaboration with Rotherham’s Children’s Capital of Culture 2025 team.

Events planned by the youngsters include creative workshops, inspiring talks, and drop-in art sessions, culminating in a youth talent show on Sunday, September 3.

Matt Aston, artistic producer for the theatre, said: “The youth takeover week is a chance for us to celebrate our young people’s talent, champion their voice and support their access to creative opportunities in Rotherham and beyond.

“It demonstrates the importance of young people leading from the front in Rotherham, which is so important as we gear up to becoming the world’s first Children’s Capital of Culture in 2025.”

Lily Smith, one of the young people involved, added: “It’s been such a great experience pulling this programme together and having our ideas really listened to and put into action.

“The theatre is an amazing place and we want to help attract more young people like us to come here and experience it for themselves.

“We’re kind of acting like a youth panel to make sure the theatre is putting on events that are truly for young people and made by young people.”

For the full timetable and to book , visit: www.tinyurl.com/CCoCTheatre.