A Younger Theatre | About - A Younger Theatre

About

Please select from the following sections to find out more about A Younger Theatre

About / History / Mission / AYT Team / Write For Us

A Younger Theatre is a platform for young people to express their views on theatre and performance. The site is maintained, edited and published by under 26 year olds who all have a passion for theatre.

A Younger Theatre is a resource and platform for theatre and young people.

A Younger Theatre was set up in 2009 as a blog to offer a form of criticism on theatre from a younger persons point of view. The blog was a place for reviews and rambling comments from its owner, Jake Orr.

During the course of 2009 the blog grew in both size and reputation. It became apparent that there was a need for younger people to have their view on theatre – a platform was needed.

2010 saw the development of the blog into an online resource for young people who want to know about theatre but from a young persons view. The site has since expanded into what you see now.

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Taken from the old blog, with the same ethics that this site is based on:

“The intention of this blog is based upon the response that currently most of the reports, reviews, and critical responses from and relating to theatre comes from older generations of theatre goers and workers. Whilst we can appreciate the depth of knowledge that these people can bring into the insight of theatre, sometimes we feel that there is a lack of response from the younger critiques of the theatre world.

And thus… A Younger Theatre was formed.

We aim to be a response to theatre, to give a younger perspective upon events, shows, and concepts. We don’t proclaim to be anything other than a younger generation with a passion for one thing: Theatre”

AYT’s mission is:

To allow young people a voice in a culture that is saturated with older critics and criticism.
To be an open resource for young people to engage and learn about theatre.
A website for young people, by young people.

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The AYT Team

Jake Orr – Artistic Director and Founder

Jake is a 24 year old obsessive theatre lover. He founded AYT in 2009 after training at Rose Bruford College in European Theatre Arts. He now focuses on writing and blogging about theatre. Outside of AYT he freelances for arts organisations in marketing and digital work, gives speeches and lectures, and produces digital content for the arts. He loves tea, chocolate and the cold side of the pillow.

Email: Jake[at]ayoungertheatre.com / Tweet: @jakeyoh / Website: www.jakeorr.co.uk

Eleanor Turney - Managing Editor

Eleanor Turney is Managing Editor of A Younger Theatre, and a freelance journalist and editor. She runs Word Ninja and has written for The Guardian, The Stage, Ideas Tap and the Financial Times. She has also worked for, amongst others, the Old Vic, Shakespeare’s Globe and the Poetry Society.

Email: Eleanor[at]ayoungertheatre.com / Tweet: @EleanorTurney / Website: www.word-ninja.co.uk

Laura Turner – Features Editor

Laura is a writer from the East Midlands. After studying English at the University of York, she trained as a writer with Hull Truck Theatre, BBC New Talent and the Royal Court Theatre. She has worked extensively with touring theatre company Chapterhouse, where she is currently Writer in Residence, as well as other regionally-based companies. Laura wrote an episode of BBC EastEnders: E20 that was screened in 2011 and is currently adapting Jane Eyre for Hull Truck Theatre Company, which will tour theatres in Spring 2013.

Email: Laura[at]ayoungertheatre.com / Tweet: @ljzturner

Becky Brewis – Commissioning Editor

Becky Brewis is a freelance writer and editor. She has written for Huffington Post UK, IdeasTap and AYT and reviews theatre for Broadway World and One Stop Arts. Sub-editing includes IdeasTap, Nick Hern Books and fashion and art magazines Nowness and Wonderland. She has worked for theatres and arts organisations including the Finborough, the Pleasance, the Southbank Centre, Cecil Sharp House and the Barbican Centre.

Email: Becky[at]ayoungertheatre.com / Tweet: @Becky_Brewis / Blog: shipsbiscuit.wordpress.com/

Eve Nicol - Scottish Regional Co-ordinator

Eve is the Scottish Regional Co-ordinator of A Younger Theatre. Working from Glasgow, Eve tweets to eat, creating digital content for theatre companies and artists. She blogs about social media in the theatre industry and vlogs about productions she’s seen. Eve is on a mission to find the best interval ice cream.

Email Eve / Tweet: @EveNicol / Facebook: facebook.com/EveNicol / Website: www.evenicol.com

Catt Turney - Sub-Editor

Catt is sub-editor and reviews administrator for A Younger Theatre. With a background in maths and social science, she’s just started working at DECIPHer, a public health research group based at Cardiff University. She’s a recent Twitter convert and will bang on about how great it is to anyone who’ll listen. Catt hates bad grammar and bad research, and can usually be found singing, lindy hopping, or having endless discussions about sex, gender, and sexuality. Email Catt / Tweet: @fruitcatt

Katey Warran – Marketing and Communications
Katey is Marketing and Communications Officer of A Younger Theatre and is Marketing Officer at Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre. She does freelance marketing including working for the New Actors Company, loves all things digital and has a passion for Applied and Community Theatre. Katey also has an interest in philosophy, enjoys singing and country music, and is a tea addict.

E-mail: katey[at]ayoungertheatre.com / Tweet: @Katey_W

Ryan Ford Iosco – Reviews Co-ordinator
Ryan is the Artistic Director of Theatre Renegade and works as a performer and director. Originally from Chicago, he is unable to understand why the British are so addicted to tea and can’t fathom why people willingly drink coffee. He writes for AYT and The Stage as well as political speeches about the arts and a bit of fiction.