A youth theatre summer programme where participants aged 8-19 collaborate with professionals to co-create and perform a show on the main stage.
Main Stage Summer runs at York Theatre Royal from 24 August to 5 September 2026, and it's a bit of a milestone for the theatre's youth work. It's a new programme for young people aged 8 to 19, and it marks the first time youth theatre groups have returned to the Main House since 2019. For the youth department, that's a fair while — it puts the Main House back in the mix for the younger crowd after a seven-year gap.
The way it works is pretty straightforward: you collaborate with theatre professionals to co-create a show from the ground up. You can choose between acting on stage or working backstage on the technical side, so if you're more into lighting and sound than standing in the spotlight, there's a place for that too. The whole point is to build something together and then share it with an audience at the York Theatre Royal.
There's a strong focus on making sure anyone who wants to take part can. The theatre provides tailored access support for young people with additional needs, including one-to-one mentors and flexible rehearsal schedules, so you don't have to worry if you can't make every single session. The idea is to help you pick up new skills, gain a bit of confidence, and make some friends along the way before the show goes live.
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It runs in the Main House from 24 August to 5 September. There are three price bands to choose from: Band 1 is £240, Band 2 is £100, and Band 3 is £50.
