15-18 Young Creatives

What is the Orange Tree 15-18 Young Creatives?

The Orange Tree 15-18 Young Creatives is an opportunity for young people interested in technical theatre to design our 15-18 Young Company show with a group of like-minded people. You will be mentored by professional designers and other technical professionals. It is a rare and exciting opportunity for a group of young people to collaborate with a professional director to design and stage a production on both the Orange Tree and Lyric Hammersmith stages.

From November 2025 – May 2026, the 15-18 Young Company is forming once again to take part in the National Theatre’s Connections festival. Over the course of 7 months, the company will rehearse Britney’s Lock by Alexandra Wood and perform it twice: first on the Orange Tree stage, then in a celebration with other Youth Theatres at the Lyric Hammersmith.  A small number of companies are finally chosen to perform at the National Theatre Connections Festival in July.

The 15-18 Young Creatives will:

• Receive mentor sessions on the director-designer relationship, lighting, set, costume and prop design, and stage management.
• Take part in a creative process with director Jordana Golbourn, working as a group to support and expand on her creative vision for the show

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.

• Meet the 15-18 Young Company, presenting your design to them and supporting them through technical and dress rehearsals, and performances.
• Explore creative expression in a safe and supportive environment
• Stage a new play at the Orange Tree Theatre and Lyric Hammersmith , with the potential to perform as part of the National Theatre Festival in July

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for seven 15-18 year olds who thrive in a creative and independent environment. Maybe you’re an experienced designer or technician or maybe this is your first time working on something outside of school– that’s ok!  Most importantly you are ambitious for the performance and excited to build a fantastic show alongside other Young Creatives members.

How do I get involved?

Applications for our 15-18 Young Creatives are now open! The deadline for applications is Sunday 7th December 6pm.

TO APPLY:

1. Read the rest of the page to make sure you are available for rehearsals and performances, and to familiarise yourself with costs and bursaries
2. Please fill out this form, telling us a little bit about yourself and why you want to be part of the 15-18 Young Creatives
3. We will then invite some applicants to interview at the Orange Tree Theatre on Wednesday 10th December. We will run a workshop interview process, with some ensemble-building activities and some design work. This allows us to meet everyone, and for you to make sure you like the way we work.

We’re so excited to meet you!

If you have any questions, please email Community Manager Madi, at madi.mahoney@orangetreetheatre.co.uk

Cost and bursaries

The cost is £195 per person for the whole project. To ensure that Young Creatives 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

It is essential that you are available for most mentor sessions, the design pitch, the Sunday rehearsals and the two performance days.

Other Youth Theatre age groups

We also offer Youth Theatre classes for:

6 – 11 year olds

12 – 14 year olds

For 18 – 25 year olds please click here for more information about the Orange Tree Young Company

The Orange Tree Youth Theatre is generously supported by Peter and Rosy Gent and The 29th May 1961 Charitable Trust.

With thanks to the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, RPLC and the Haskel Family Foundation for their support of all OT Community projects.