Blackpool Grand Theatre’s Grand Young Company is helping to lift the curtain on the next generation of creative careers in theatre making, performance and beyond with two new training Pathways being offered in Acting and Musical Theatre.

Auditions will take place in July for young people from Blackpool and its surrounding areas to join either the GYC Acting Pathway for 14-19-year-olds or the brand-new GYC Musical Theatre Pathway for 16-24-year-olds.

The training Pathways will run from September 2024 until July 2025 and offer a fun and exciting programme of artist development activity consisting of creative and practical sessions, focused on building skills in professional performance and contemporary, collaborative theatre-making practice. Leading artists and theatre companies will deliver these from across the UK and from Blackpool’s own homegrown creative community.

This follows the hugely successful relaunch of the newly reimagined Grand Young Company (GYC) in October 2023 with a vision to provide excellence in the training and artistic development of young people who have an interest in working towards future creative careers in theatre making, performance and more.

Fast forward to June 2024 and the Grand Young Company’s first intake of talented, aspiring theatre makers and performers have completed eight months of high-level training, receiving acclaim for their outstanding performance of Charlie Josephine’s new play Orchestra as part of the National Theatre Connections Festival, held at The Grand back in April.

Blackpool Grand Chief Executive, Adam Knight, said:

“As a former member of the National Youth Theatre and National Youth Music Theatre myself, I know just how important it is for young people to be able to access high-quality opportunities to explore and develop their performance and theatre-making craft, to be inspired by experienced professionals, and to have pathways for future career opportunities whilst having fun, making new friends, and furthering their sense of belonging as an important and integral part of their local professional theatre.”

Open Audition Workshops for the GYC Acting Pathway for 14-19 year-olds will take place at The Grand Theatre Studio on:

Monday 15 July 2024 from 5 pm to 8 pm

Tuesday 16 July 2024 from 5 pm to 8 pm

Open Audition Workshops for the GYC Musical Theatre Pathway for 16-24 year-olds will take place at The Grand Theatre Studio on:

Wednesday 17 July 2024:

• Beginner’s Dance – 10am to 12.30pm
• Intermediate Dance – 1pm to 3.30pm
• Advanced Dance – 4pm – 5.30pm

Saturday 20 July 2024:

• Beginner’s Dance – 10am to 12.30pm
• Intermediate Dance – 1pm to 3.30pm
• Advanced Dance – 4pm – 5.30pm

Following a six-month training and development period starting in September 2024, both GYC cohorts will then receive the opportunity to perform in front of live audiences on the main stage and studio at the Grand Theatre.

The GYC Musical Theatre Pathway will offer a unique opportunity to collaborate with leading artists, writers and theatre makers to create and bring to life newly commissioned musical works. Blackpool Grand Theatre’s commitment to providing accessible platforms for young people to receive high-quality training is further cemented in the extension of the age category for this exciting new Pathway which will accept applications from young people aged from 16 up to 24. The GYC Acting Pathway will perform a newly written play as part of the 2025 National Theatre Connections Festival. Both pathways will then present their second, fully staged productions at Blackpool Grand’s own Storytelling Festival in the summer of 2025.

Head of Development, Programmes & Learning, Celine Wyatt, said:

“The Grand Young Company will continue to offer a creative space where all young people are valued and all ideas are heard. A space where they can develop their interests, build resilience, confidence and a sense of belonging by being connected to the wider world of theatre with opportunities to become involved with aspirational, nationwide initiatives that reach far beyond their hometown.”

Mykey Young, Director of The Grand Young Company, added:

“As someone who started their journey in the arts through training in the Youth Theatre here at Blackpool Grand, it is so important for me that the next generation of young performers and theatre makers from our hometown have access to exceptional opportunities that could, just as they did for me, inspire their future careers. To have the opportunity to relaunch The Grand Young Company last year was incredibly important to me and we have loved every moment of working with our 2023/2024 company members. We are so exceptionally proud of their journeys. And now to be able to launch our new Musical Theatre Pathway for 2024/2025 is a dream come true. We are all so excited to see who joins us in the summer and cannot wait to begin working with them all on what promises to be an incredibly aspirational and thrilling programme.”

For full information on the Grand Young Company or to book an audition place please visit

www.blackpoolgrand.co.uk/get-involved/grand-young-company

For any questions please contact gyc@blackpoolgrand.co.uk