What is the Orange Tree 15-18 Young Company?

The Orange Tree 15-18 Young Company is an opportunity for young people interested in performing and theatre-making to have fun, be creatively challenged and collaborate with like-minded people. You will be taught by an experienced director to be bold, creative and passionate in your work during engaging weekly sessions.

Fresh from performing at the OT and the Lyric Hammersmith as part of the National Theatre Connections Festival, the OT 15-18 Young Company are forming once again in 2026 to perform as part of our Richmond Myths Festival. 

Richmond Myths is a weekend-long festival co-produced by the Orange Tree Theatre and Richmond Council, celebrating culture and creativity in Richmond. For three days, the town centre will be taken over by myths and monsters, fates and fiends, gods and heroes, with performances happening across the town. 

The 15-18 Young Company will tell the story of Persephone (bride of Hades) who spends half her year in the underworld and half on earth. The site-specific performance will take place in the Poppy Factory. 

15-18 Young Company members meet 1-2 times a week, with a rehearsal process led by Jordana Golbourn. Jordana is a Community Theatre Maker with 15 years experience directing youth theatre productions. Her work takes place in theatres, schools, community centres and women’s prisons across the UK for companies such as Almeida Theatre, Donmar Warehouse, Lyric Hammersmith, and Young Vic. In this project you will:

• Develop technique in voice, movement, character building and text work
• Meet and create a show with likeminded people 
• Explore creative expression in a safe and supportive environment
• Perform a new play written especially for the company and perform it 

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for 15-18 year olds who thrive in a creative, playful rehearsal room. Maybe you’re an experienced actor or maybe this is your first time on a stage – that’s ok!  Most importantly you are ambitious for the company and excited to build a fantastic show alongside other cast members.

How do I get involved?

This is our only un-auditioned project for 15-18 year olds. Simply sign up via the link on the left at the top of the page (below ‘book term starting’)if you want to get involved. This project is running on a first-come first-served process.

The only thing we ask is that you are available for most of the rehearsal dates and that you are definitely available for the performance dates.

If you are interested in a bursary, there is a different sign up process. Please see below for details. 

If you have any questions, please contact community@orangetreetheater.co.uk 

We’re so excited to meet you!

Cost and bursaries

The cost is £180 per person for the whole project. To ensure that the Young Company is accessible and open to everyone, we have full and partial bursary places available. Please get in contact with Community Director Francesca, at  francesca.ellis@orangetreetheatre.co.uk for more information.

15-18 Young Company key dates

Rehearsals will take place at the Orange Tree Theatre on Thursdays 5:30-7:30 from 7^th May 2026 until the weekend of Richmond Myths, Friday 17th evening-Sunday 19th July evening.