Young people are being put centre stage at a North Yorkshire theatre festival through a new project designed to boost youth involvement in the arts.
Ripon Theatre Festival has launched the scheme in partnership with YMCA Ripon thanks to funding from the Cultural Passport for Young People programme.
The project offers 11 to 18-year-olds in Ripon the chance to take part in arts activities, volunteering, and live performance opportunities leading up to and during the festival.
Lucy Downes, CEO of YMCA Ripon, said: "a brilliant opportunity for young people to build confidence, make connections and have their voices heard in a positive and creative way."
Youth Squad volunteers will help run the festival’s Big Family Weekend, with roles including managing the Youth Chill Out Zone at Ripon Spa Gardens on Sunday, July 12.
The programme also features Sound Board, a live show by Zest Theatre described as part performance, part conversation, and part game show.
It will be performed at the festival and shaped in real-time by both young people and the audience.
Locally recruited Youth Hosts will work alongside professional artists to welcome attendees, lead activities, and influence the performance as it unfolds.
The scheme is funded by the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Mayoral Investment Fund and supported by David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire.
Katie Scott, festival director, said: "We want young people to feel that the Festival belongs to them too — not only as audiences, but as volunteers, collaborators, performers and future cultural leaders."
Additional activities funded through the project include drop-in sessions led by Knaresborough-based arts collective Yorkshire CREATE.
These will be held at YMCA Ripon and are open to all young people in Ripon.
Workshops will cover mask and prop making, animation, and circus skills.
Participants will also help design and build a Youth Chill Out Zone for the festival.
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The sessions will be held as part of the YMCA Ripon Pop Up Cafe in Spa Park on Thursdays during half term from 3pm to 5pm.
Young people aged 11 and over who want to take part can register their interest by emailing steph@riponymca.org.
No previous experience is necessary – organisers are simply looking for enthusiasm and a willingness to get involved.
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