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 likeminded 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 2026 – May 2027, 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 Wildfire by Oliver Emanuel and Victoria Beasley 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.

To design and organise this production, the 15-18 Young Creatives will:

• Receive mentor sessions on the director-designer relationship, sound and lighting, set, costume and prop design, and stage management.
• Take part in a creative process with director Madi Mahoney, working as a group to support and expand on her creative vision for the show
• 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 7 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 Thursday 26^th November 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 the evening of Tuesday 1 December. These will be 15-minute individual interview slots. 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 £165 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 Creatives key dates

Click here for the full schedule

It is essential that you are available for most mentor sessions, the design presentation, the making days, the dress rehearsals.