The Dukes Young Company is a well-established theatre programme for young people. The Company explores a range of performance styles over each of the three terms; one term culminating in a production supported by The Dukes’ wider creative teams. In addition to learning new performance skills, the Company provides an opportunity for young people to develop confidence, teamwork and communication skills.

Our sessions run in term-time in our Moor Space building on Moor Lane and are led by The Dukes’ Creative Communities team. Performances take place in one of our theatre spaces, including ‘The Rake’, ‘The Round’ and ‘Moor Space’, programmed based on the style and scale of the production. This offers young people opportunities to perform in different staging configurations.

Our groups are friendly and welcoming – young people will be well supported in settling in by the facilitators and current members. 

Our groups are delivered as follows: 

 TUESDAYS

  • Juniors (School Years 3-6 | Ages 7-11): 4pm-5.30pm                                     
  • Intermediates (School Years 7-8 | Ages 11-13):  5.45pm-7.15pm

 WEDNESDAYS

  • Infants (School Years 1-2 / Ages 5-7): 4pm-5pm
  • Seniors 1 (School Years 9-10 | Ages 13-14): 5:30pm-7pm 
  • Seniors 2 (School Years 11-13+ | Ages 14-21): 7:30pm-9pm

TERM DATES

AUTUMN 2025 TERM DATES:

Term Starts: w/c 15 September

Half Term: (no sessions) w/c 27 October

Term Ends: w/c 24 November


SPRING 2026 TERM DATES:

Term Starts: w/c 12th January

Half Term: (no sessions) w/c 16th February

Term Ends: w/c 23rd March

a workshop session showing young people facing the camera, with their arms stretched upwards. Their teacher is facing them, with their back to the camera

Limitless

Building on our long-term partnership work with Loyne Specialist School and The Dukes previous work in this area, we are launching a new youth theatre session in 2026 for Disabled young people and those who are autistic / neurodivergent.

Working with dedicated theatre practitioner Emma Rucastle, young people will take part in weekly drama and theatre sessions and work towards regular performances at The Dukes. Parents and carers are actively encouraged to join in the fun and siblings are welcome to take part in simple self-led crafts.

Emma is a Lancaster-based artist, theatre maker and creative practitioner. Passionate about inclusive theatre, she has extensive experience of working with people of all ages on theatre projects and productions of all kinds. She is excited about the possibilities this new group has to offer

The sessions will take part in The Dukes Moor Space building which is wheelchair accessible. The sessions will be fun, inclusive and will introduce young people to a range of movement and performance styles.


Dates/Times

We’re running two introductory taster sessions on Sunday 23 November!

10:00am – 12:00pm: 7-14 years

13:00pm – 15:00pm: 15+ years


Cost

Taster sessions are £7.00 / Siblings free

(parents /carers are free to accompany and do not require a ticket)

Bursaries

We offer a limited number of Full and Half Bursary Placements on all our activities each term. To find out more and for registration details:

Email creativecommunities@dukeslancaster.org

Young Company Alumni

'I honestly think being given the opportunity to work alongside professional actors, get advice from them and learn how to properly behave in a working theatre is a huge part of who I am as an actor now.'

Young actor and Young Company alumni Ciara Kaighin Adams reflects on her time at The Dukes in her blog.