The last week has seen the hugely successful National Theatre Connections Festival come to Sheffield Theatres, offering opportunities for young people in the local area to get involved in a celebration of some of the most thrilling new international writing.

Performed by some of the rising stars of the region, NT Connections offers a unique opportunity for young theatre talent to get directly involved with new writing. A nationwide project, it features new plays that have been especially commissioned and written by some of the most exciting British and international playwrights.

The pieces are being performed in the Studio Theatre, Sheffield until Wednesday 4th April, brought to life by twelve local youth companies and school groups from Sheffield, Rotherham, Nottingham, Derbyshire and Lincolnshire. Sheffield Theatres is one of 20 partner venues across the UK, from Bristol to Belfast, hosting the festival and offering opportunities to local creative young people.

Connect Festival

As part of National Theatre Connections, Sheffield Theatres is also running the Connect Festival. This offers young people aged between 13 and 19 the chance to get involved in a variety of workshops led by industry professionals, including performance, directing, design, voice and movement, as well as the chance to take part in a musical theatre session with Sheffield Theatres’ Artistic Director, Daniel Evans.

Sheffield Theatres’ Creative Projects Manager, Emily Hutchinson said: “We are delighted to be working with the National Theatre on National Theatre Connections. Sheffield Theatres has a long-standing reputation for nurturing and supporting new, young talent so it is great to be a part of such a valuable and innovative festival, which challenges and inspires young people. It is going to be a fantastic week with two performances each evening and interval acts, as well as workshop and performance opportunities, and at just £5 per ticket this is the perfect opportunity to experience and get involved with the theatre.”

Events still to come this week:

National Theatre Connections Festival Day 5: Monday 2nd April

Alice By Heart by Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik
Performed by Stolti Delizia
7.15pm. Tickets £5.00.

Little Foot by Craig Higginson
Performed by Easy Street Theatre
7.15pm. Tickets £5.00.

National Theatre Connections Festival Day 6: Tuesday 3rd April

Journey To X by Nancy Harris
Performed by Theatreworks
7.15pm. Tickets £5.00.

The Grandfathers by Rory Mullarkey
Performed  by Lakeside Youth Theatre
7.15pm. Tickets £5.00.

Connect Workshop: Movement for Actors

A practical workshop which looks at how we bring the character to life through our bodies. Participants will need to work in loose, comfortable clothing and soft shoes or bare feet.

Tuesday 3rd April, 10.00am – 1.00pm (13 – 15 years) and 2.00pm – 5.00pm (16 – 19 years). Tickets £5.00.

Crucible Young Writers Rehearsed Readings

An informal evening of four new plays written by young people aged 13 – 19 years. Join us in the Studio Theatre for these rehearsed readings, celebrating new writing from these very new playwrights!

Wednesday 4th April, 7.15pm. Tickets £2.50.

Tickets for both the performances and workshops during the National Theatre Connections Festival are on sale now and can be bought by calling the Box Office on 0114 249 6000 or online at sheffieldtheatres.co.uk.