Theatre for young people, by young people

Theatre31 is an exciting new programme. It was created to inspire young people to be involved in theatre.

This youth-led programme is taking place across Medway and Sheppey. It gives young people complete control over decision-making for performing arts. They call all the shots, from deciding which artists to work with, to designing the logo.

All the activities in this new programme are free. There are lots of ways that young people and artists can get involved, including:

  • youth theatres
  • workshops
  • technical training
  • Artsmark
  • careers advice
  • performances
  • schools’ projects
  • co-creations
  • commissions.

Get involved

To find out more and to get involved visit the Theatre31 website.

Paul Cowell, Head of Culture and Libraries at Medway Council, said:

Theatre is extraordinary. My early experiences at school and with my mum at an amateur dramatic society made me who I am. Theatre31 opens an important door for children and young people across Medway and Sheppey, developing their voice, creativity, ambition, generosity and place in the world.”

Children watching artists.

Children watching artists. Image credit: Simon Kelsey

Theatre31 is managed by Icon Theatre, based at the Brook Theatre in Chatham. They have been co-creating original performances with communities and young people since 2002. Funded by Arts Council England, Theatre31 is a project supported by Medway Council.

Theatre31 is an arts programme with no walls. This means all activities can adapted quickly, to enable safe delivery in a coronavirus (COVID-19) world.

We want to involve over 2,000 young people in performing arts. We want to raise awareness about the range of opportunities available for young people in the region. As part of this, Theatre31 aims to develop sustainable channels of connectivity between young people, schools, individual artists and creative organisations.