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  • National Theatre Connections – Gulbenkian Young Company

    • National Theatre Connections – Gulbenkian Young Company

    NT Connections is the National Theatre’s nationwide youth theatre festival. Each year it offers a unique opportunity for youth theatres and school theatre groups to stage new plays written for young people by some of theatre’s most exciting playwrights, and to perform in leading theatres across the UK.

    National Theatre Connections is one of our favourite parts of our programme!

    Connections is the National Theatre’s annual, nationwide youth theatre festival, celebrating the creativity and talent of young people across the UK.

     

    Each year an auditioned cast and backstage crew, aged 13-19, create their own production for the National Theatre Connections Festival, performing at the Gulbenkian and then another Partner Theatre venue!

    We are also proud hosts as a Partner Theatre venue, inviting school groups and youth theatres get to come and perform at Gulbenkian, as part of their festival!

     

    Applications for auditions for this years production are open now – sign up here!

    https://universityofkent.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cDbCVxpD5p4N8Bo

     

    You can receive a notification of when tickets  are available to book by signing up to our ART31 Mailing list: to do this log into your Gulbenkian Website Profile, go to ‘Interests’ and tick ‘yes’ for receiving emails for ‘Creative opportunities for young people from ART31 Kent’.

    Also keep an eye on our @art31kent social media (Instagram, Twitter).

    Email: creativeengagement@kent.ac.uk if you have any questions!

     

     

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    In 2015, the Gulbenkian Youth Company were one of only ten groups selected to perform on the Olivier Stage with their production of The Edelweiss Pirates.In 2019 they were again one of only ten groups selected to perform at the National Theatre, on the Dorfman Stage, with their production of Ageless.
    Productions:
    2014 – Pronoun
    2015 – The Edelweiss Pirates
    2016 – What Are They Like?
    2017 – Zero for the Young Dudes
    2018 – The Changing Room
    2019 – Ageless
    2020 – The Marxist in Heaven
    2021 – Find a Partner!
    2022 – Superglue
    2023- (Circle Dreams Around) The Terrible, Terrible Past

    2024 – The Windrush Generation(s)

    2025- No Regrets

    2026 – Fishville!

    Supported by the Arts Council and Kent County Council.
    'Being part of the NT connections has been brilliant. It has helped me to grow in confidence and realise that there are lots of opportunities outside in the world. It has made me push myself and it has taken me out of my comfort zone.' Azaelia, NT Connections Member
    "I’ve been participating and going to the Connections Festival for about 5 years now and it never gets boring. Each year it’s amazing how Connections gives ownership to young people to take over a script and make it completely their own." Maeve, NT Connections Member
    "Connections has been the opportunity of a lifetime for me and I wouldn’t trade it up for anything! I have gained so many performance skills and I am so impressed with how far we have all come. I have met so many talented performers and we have spent a lot of time together to the point where it feels like a family." Oliver, NT Connections Member

    Also from the Gulbenkian

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    Providing workshops, support, and performance opportunities, Generate is where creativity gives voice to young perspectives whether in theatre making, film media, music, visual arts and more!
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    SCREEN31

    Screen31 is a group for young people aged 15-25 interested in developing their film-making skills.

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    Fantastic and fun sessions for ages 13-18 years, encouraging creativity and theatre-making skills.

    ART31

    ART31 takes its name from Article 31 of the UN Convention on the Rights of a Child, which states that ‘Children have the right to relax and play, and to join in a wide range of cultural, artistic and other recreational activities’.

    ART31 is a vision created with, by, and for young people in Kent, championing the belief that all children and young people have an entitlement to access high quality arts and culture, to empower them to achieve their creative potential, and to genuinely engage young people as equal partners in any decision making that affects them.

    The ART31 Youth Board is made up of young people from across Kent aged 13-25 who steer its governance, and influence policy and practice across the county and beyond, challenging the creative sector to examine existing ways of working and integrate young people into the core of their practice.

    Our projects with young people

    GENFest Young people posing in a cardboard Instagram frame

    ART31 Generate

    Providing workshops, support, and performance opportunities, Generate is where creativity gives voice to young perspectives whether in theatre making, film media, music, visual arts and more!

    Youth Theatre

    Fantastic and fun sessions for ages 13-18 years, encouraging creativity and theatre-making skills.

    Live Streaming film equipment.

    SCREEN31

    Screen31 is a group for young people aged 15-25 interested in developing their film-making skills.
    TECH31

    TECH31

    TECH31 provides free practical training in technical theatre for ages 13 - 25

    National Theatre Connections – Gulbenkian Young Company

    NT Connections is the National Theatre’s nationwide youth theatre festival. Each year it offers a unique opportunity for youth theatres and school theatre groups to stage new plays written for young people by some of theatre’s most exciting playwrights, and to perform in leading theatres across the UK.
    Gulbenkian Uncovered image 03

    Gulbenkian Uncovered

    Are you enthusiastic, committed and creative? Gulbenkian Uncovered gives University of Kent students the chance to programme films and run events.

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    Square Pegs Arts

    Square Pegs Arts are an award winning charity who provide drama groups, music projects and other accessible Arts opportunities for children and young adults who have learning disabilities and autism, and produce original, inspiring, challenging Theatre. Difference is celebrated and everyone is supported to shine in their own way.
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    KRAN Fam

    KRAN Fam is a drama group in partnership with Kent Refugee Action Network for young refugees and asylum-seekers.

    Accessible Film Club

    Relaxed Screenings

    Monthly film screenings that are open to all, especially those with autism and learning disabilities.

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    ARTY31

    Gulbenkian’s ARTY31 group is for young people aged 8-12 with a wide variety of arts interests.

    Film tickets

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