Young Company

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

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


AUTUMN 2025 TERM DATES (September – December):

Term Starts: w/c 15 September

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

Term Ends: w/c 24 November


Try a Taster Session for FREE

Taster sessions are available for the first 3 weeks of term, however spaces are limited and must be booked in advance.


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. 

Summer School at the Dukes

Join us for a week of creativity, performance, collaboration and discovery.  

Across the week, you'll work with a theatre practitioner in one of our real theatre spaces. 

This year we have 2 Summer Schools:  12-18 years and 5-11 years: