PROTEUS Youth theatre

Creating amazing experiences, promoting education and enriching lives of young people in Basingstoke and North Hampshire through the power of performing arts.

Proteus Theatre Company are working with the support and leadership of professional theatre practitioners to bring accessible theatre experiences for all young people through Proteus Youth Theatre. From our home at Creation Space in Basingstoke, Proteus runs weekly skills workshops and specialist masterclasses for young people aged 7-21 years to explore theatre and the arts.

Participants have the opportunity to be part of multiple performance projects each year, which are enjoyed by public audiences and produced in-house by our experienced team of professionals at Proteus Theatre.

The work we make is diverse; we present ground-breaking devised pieces, inspired by the world around us. Likewise, we develop imaginative, new adaptations of classic texts and stories. We perform everywhere and anywhere; sometimes taking up residence in traditional theatre spaces such as The Haymarket and Central Studio, and often seeking out unusual, exciting and unexpected places to perform too! Recent productions include: Innocent Creatures (as part of National Theatre Connections) A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Walled Garden); Jane Eyre (Creation Space); Come with Me If You Want to Live (site-specific immersive theatre experience in collaboration with The Proteans) and Revolution (Central Studio, developed with Little Soldier Productions).

But Proteus Youth Theatre is about more than the performances we make. Our ethos is deeply rooted in inclusion – PYT is open to everyone and our work is ensemble-led. As there is no audition process, we welcome young individuals of all ages, backgrounds and abilities. From our youngest participants, taking their first steps into the world of theatre, to those 16+ looking for a new challenge.

"I have been given the space to learn and be creative in my own way and that is something I will always cherish"

Phoebe, Youth Theatre member

More opportunities for young people

We also run specialist masterclasses, holiday workshops and many unique participatory projects for young people throughout the year. If you would like to be added to our secure database, we will contact you when there is a place or project available for your age group. Please fill out a new enquiry from so we can make sure we contact you about appropriate programmes and opportunities!

To Join

Anyone is eligible to join our inclusive groups. Weekly rehearsals are run by professionals and take place at Proteus Creation Space. If you would like to become a member or are interested in other projects suitable for young people, fill in a new enquiry form to be added to our secure database. We will be in touch when we are recruiting for a project for your age group.

01256 354541

Spaces are limited and are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Tuesdays, 6:00pm-8:00pm at Proteus Creation Space

Suitable for children of junior school age, this group kick starts everything students need to know about life in theatre.

It focuses on the basic skills needed to be a stage actor, allowing members to take part in workshops as well as performances of both comedy and improvisation, all while working alongside professional artists in a fun atmosphere.

£60 PER TERM, 3 TERMS PER YEAR. REGISTER YOUR INTEREST FOR OUR AUTUMN '23 TERM

Mondays, 6:30pm-8:30pm at PROTEUS CREATION SPACE

Building further on drama skills, this group takes a more serious approach to drama and theatre and with more emphasis on performance, focusing on physical theatre, text-based work, characterisation and voice.

Group members will take part in two performances per year.

£60 PER TERM, 3 TERMS PER YEAR. REGISTER YOUR INTEREST FOR OUR AUTUMN '23 TERM

Thursdays, 6.45pm-8.45pm at Proteus Creation Space

A more advanced group than the other youth theatre groups, the work will focus on classic or contemporary plays as well as devising their own work.

Members of this group will be required to participate in two productions per year, either at Central Studio or The Haymarket, and will have opportunities to take on lead roles in the productions as they develop their craft.

£60 PER PRODUCTION, 3 TERMS PER YEAR. REGISTER YOUR INTEREST FOR OUR AUTUMN '23TERM

AGES 7-11

Tuesdays, 6:00pm-8:00pm at Proteus Creation Space

Suitable for children of junior school age, this group kick starts everything students need to know about life in theatre.

It focuses on the basic skills needed to be a stage actor, allowing members to take part in workshops as well as performances of both comedy and improvisation, all while working alongside professional artists in a fun atmosphere.

AGES 11-14

Mondays, 6:30pm-8:30pm at Proteus Creation Space

Building further on drama skills, this group takes a more serious approach to drama and theatre and with more emphasis on performance, focusing on physical theatre, text-based work, characterisation and voice.

Group members will take part in two performances per year.

AGES 14-18

Thursdays, 6.45pm-8.45pm at Proteus Creation Space

A more advanced group than the other youth theatre groups, the work will focus on classic or contemporary plays as well as devising their own work.

Members of this group will be required to participate in two productions per year, either at Central Studio or The Haymarket, and will have opportunities to take on lead roles in the productions as they develop their craft.