Rose Youth Theatre
Since 2008, Rose Youth Theatre has earned itself a strong reputation. Students meet every week to learn about acting and theatre.
Rose Youth Theatre Academy
For School Years 1 - 13 | No audition required
RYT Academy classes are fun and engaging, skills-based workshops with individual, termly modules. Whether you are a budding young actor or your aspirations lie in an unrelated field, this is a great way to develop life-skills and self-confidence. Classes are fun, interactive and ensemble based. Act 1 is our course for Year 1-6 and continues onto Act 2 for Year 7-13.
At the end of the term, the children will have the opportunity to share their work with friends and family.
Classes are held every day of the week, at Rose Theatre, Kingston and local external venues.
Act 1
School Years 1 - 6
Our Act 1 course is great fun and receives fabulous feedback from students and parents alike. The course is designed to develop the ensemble skills and teamwork, communication, literacy, and confidence of our members via drama and the spoken word. Our goal is to develop a rich array of life skills such as imagination, creativity, focus and an ensemble spirit.
Act 2
School Years 7 - 13
Our Act 2 course continue to build and develop young performer’s acting skills and confidence. This course will introduce students to a whole range of acting techniques and theatre styles, designed to complement studies at school. Each term lasts 10 weeks and students will present an informal showing of the work covered to family and friends in the final session.
Some of the topics covered over the course of the term include:
- Year 7 & 8 – Improvisation, naturalism and text work, voice, character and story-telling
- Year 9 – Naturalism and text work, physical theatre, Greek theatre and chorus
- Year 10 – Immersive theatre, comedy, naturalism
- Year 11 - 13 – Shakespeare, abstract theatre, screen acting and audition technique
For more details, please email participate@rosetheatre.org
Fees
Fees vary per age group and are subject to change each term. Please enquire for the most up-to-date information.
Current Term:
| Year Group | Duration | Cost |
| 1 - 6 | 1 hour 15 minutes | £145 |
| 7 - 8 | 1 hour 30 minutes | £155 |
| 9 - 13 | 2 hours | £160 |
How to apply
New members are able to join from the start of each new term. To register your interest, please email participate@rosetheatre.org and we will add your details to a mailing list. When booking opens for new members, you will receive an email with the new course handbook and a link to sign up for the term.
Rose Young Company
For ages 11 - 21 (Year 7 and above) | Audition required
RYC is our performance-based course. It demands huge commitment and full attendance, but the rewards are worth it. Juniors (11-13), Lower Seniors (14-15) and Upper Seniors (16-21) rehearse hard and perform to the public each term, working on classics, adaptations, new writing and screen plays. Within small ensembles, our actors learn an extraordinary level of discipline to compliment professional process and technique.
Recent performances include Swallows and Amazons, all vibes-based sad youtube play, Black Beauty and Romeo & Juliet.
Classes are held at weekends, at Rose Theatre, Kingston and local external venues.
Audition Dates
The Rose Young Company is our performance-based course and requires an audition, although there is a waiting list due to high demand. Please be aware that there is currently up to a year's wait. Auditions usually take place in July or November.
If you would like to join the waiting list, please email participate@rosetheatre.org. Our auditions are offered on a first-come-first-served basis by order of the waiting list.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Young Company structure?
Each year, Young Company members perform in 2-3 productions:
Juniors work on two scripted shows, usually adaptations or a reimagining, that are performed on the Rose Theatre main stage.
Lower Seniors have the opportunity to work on three shows a year, a scripted adaptation performed on the main stage, a devised piece, and the choice of either Shakespeare outdoors or our short film Screen course (15+).
Upper Seniors also work on three shows a year, a modern script performed in one of our Studio spaces, a scripted adaptation, and either Shakespeare outdoors or our Screen course.
Juniors are aged 11-13, Lower Seniors 14-15, and Upper Seniors 16-21. This is based on your age at the start of the term.
When are rehearsals for Young Company?
Rehearsals always take place at the weekend for all RYC groups. We offer options at various rehearsal times on both Saturdays and Sundays.
Juniors and Lower Seniors rehearse for 2 hours 30 minutes per session.
Upper Seniors rehearse for 3 hours per session.
Occasionally, terms are shortened (e.g. our Seniors Summer term accommodates for exam timetables and usually runs for 5 weeks) and rehearsal hours are adjusted to reflect this.
We try to align our terms with local school dates where possible, but our work is project-based and dependent on when performance spaces are available, therefore it varies term-to-term. We advise parents and students to always refer to the current term handbook before booking, as 100% attendance is required.
What is the Young Company attendance policy and charter of conduct?
Each term RYC members receive a handbook with their registration email, and we require re-enrolment ahead of each new project. Students and parents must read the term handbook which includes dates, rehearsal times and key agreements.
Our 100% attendance policy is strict and non-negotiable, we require full commitment each term if you would like to join a production. Absences and lateness are unfair to both staff and fellow performers and hinder the creation process. We have found this policy the best way to ensure a professional production.
Because our attendance policy is 100%, we have a sabbatical list for those who cannot attend a full term of rehearsals and are always happy to keep you on the mailing list for future terms if you cannot commit. We understand schedules do not always align and won't ask you to re-audition in the future.
Those students who cannot attend an RYC term but wish to continue their drama at the Rose are welcome to join our Rose Youth Theatre Academy Act 2 course (as detailed above), which does not have a full attendance policy.
Any further questions?
As part of your audition, there will be a mandatory Q&A section with all students and parents where the audition director will discuss the course with you. If you have any other questions prior to this, please email participate@rosetheatre.org.
Productions
Recent productions have included:
- Swallows and Amazons by Arthur Ransome | Adapted by Josh Mathieson
- all vibes-based sad youtube play by Simon Jaggers
- Romeo & Juliet / Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
- Black Beauty by Anna Sewell | Adapted by Ciara Morris
- Hear My Voice by Jack Fairey | Devised by the company
- The Iliad by Homer | Adapted by Nicole Burley
- The Baskerville Hound by Nicole Burley | After Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
- Education, Education, Education by The Wardrobe Ensemble
Upcoming productions:
- Dracula by Josh Mathieson | Based on the novel by Bram Stoker
- An original production devised by the company | by Lucy Dennis-Morrell
- The House at the Centre of the World by Josh Mathieson
Short Films
As part of Rose Young Company, our Senior students can elect to take part in a screen course. Students learn how to adapt stage techniques for the screen, before putting their skills into practice with a professional crew. Students perform in and support behind the scenes to create award-winning short films.
Rose Collective
Ages 16 - 19* | By application
The Rose Collective is a six-month company based at the Rose Theatre in Kingston, and members will work with other talented young artists to create a brand-new final production. The Rose Collective is fully funded, so there are no fees to attend the course.
This course is open to young people aged 16-19 (*up to 21 for young people with SEND) who are currently underrepresented in the theatre.
How to apply
Applications for 2026 are now closed, check back here for more information on our 2027 programme.
Christmas Productions
Age 11+ | Audition required
The Rose invites young actors to audition to perform in our Christmas Production each year. We encourage you to audition whether you have taken part in one of our courses, or if you are completely new to the Rose.
Anyone cast will become a member of the Rose Youth Theatre, and will receive training from our professional creative team to learn advanced acting skills before rehearsing and then performing in alternate shows across the 6 week run.
Testimonials
'We all thoroughly enjoyed the show this evening. It really was fantastic! Thanks to all involved and we’re very happy to see [my child] continuing to enjoy the Rose theatre group - and now with the seniors. We’re very lucky to have such a lovely local theatre!' - Parent, 2026 (RYC)
'A big part of the show’s energy comes from the ensemble. Rose’s commitment to showcasing Rose Youth Theatre performers alongside a small professional cast gives the production a distinctive spark. The young performers bring a freshness and vitality to the show.' - Kingston Courier, 2025 (on the production of Cinderella, by Chris Bush and Roni Neale)
'Our daughter has come away with so much confidence, a great set of skills and lovely new friends.' - Parent, 2025
'[My child's] confidence has grown so much since joining the Rose at age 5.' - Parent, 2025
‘The Rose Theatre has been such a confidence booster for my child and has immensely fostered her passion. She absolutely loves it.’ - Parent, 2022 (Act 1)
‘The professional, nurturing and inclusive environment [of Rose Youth Theatre] has allowed me to grow and develop as an actor. RYT has provided me with pure escapism. I honestly don't know what I would have done without it. I certainly wouldn't be following my dream of being an actor if it wasn't for the incredible quality of the teachers, I have been fortunate enough to have worked with and learnt from.’ - Rhea Norwood (RYT Alumni and star of Netflix’ Heartstopper)
‘It is astonishing that there are just five professional actors amid an ensemble of 40 Rose Youth Theatre members, playing an assortment of parts including one of the Christmas spirits.’ - The Guardian, 2022 (on the production of A Christmas Carol, by Morgan LLoyd Malcolm)
Bursaries & Discounts
Inclusion and opportunities for all are at the heart of what we do at Rose Participate. Bursaries are available on request to help cover the cost of courses for those who may struggle with the fees. While anyone is free to apply for the bursary fund to help support participation, priority will be given to those facing financial hardship. Bursaries will be offered to fully or partially cover course fees. Mentoring and support are also offered alongside financial support.
In order to apply for a bursary, please complete the bursary form (available here) and return to Lucy.Dennis-Morrell@rosetheatre.org.
Sibling Discount
We can offer a 25% sibling discount if you have two or more children attending a Rose Youth Theatre course. The cheapest course will be reduced. Please let us know when you book if you’d like the discount. This discount is only applicable to one set of fees.