A group of young people from Rotherham have been put in charge of the borough’s popular theatre for a week, as the Civic prepares for its first ever youth takeover event.
Eighteen 13 to 16 year-olds have been given free rein to programme what they want at the venue between 28th August and 3rd September, a project in collaboration with Rotherham’s Children’s Capital of Culture 2025 team.
The exciting programme of events include a series of creative workshops, talks, and drop-in sessions, culminating in a youth talent show on Sunday 3rd September.
Matt Aston, Artistic Producer for the Theatre, explains: “The Youth Takeover Week is the first in our 63-year history. It’s 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.
“This young team have curated a great line-up of events that includes everything from drop-in art sessions and a songwriting workshop, to inspiring talks from creative producers in Rotherham. Come along and see what they have in store!”
Lily Smith, one of the young people involved in the Youth Takeover Week, adds: “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.”
To see the full timetable for Youth Takeover Week at Rotherham Civic Theatre and book any of the events, visit the Eventbrite page: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/childrens-capital-of-culture-43963141773