The award winning Youth Theatre Group is open to anyone aged between 11 and 18. We run a busy programme of activities including Drama Workshops every Saturday morning from 10.30am to 12.30pm, during term time. Workshops are aimed at giving practice and guidance on performance skills and theatrical understanding through practical activities, in a friendly social environment.

In addition to workshops, we also put on one major public production in the theatre's main auditorium,   Since 2005 we have been auditioning for entry into the group as demand to join has been high.

The auditions for the Youth theatre will be held Saturday 4th September 2010 at 10.30am.  For full details please click on "youth auditions"

Education at the Lace Market Theatre

Education has always been central to the ethos of the Lace Market Theatre, both within the community of the Theatre and in the wider community of the city of Nottingham. Possibly the most obvious aspect of this is the Youth Theatre Group, founded by Joy Parsons in 1978 . Its first production was a musical version of “Moby Dick” and since then it has gone from strength to strength, winning awards , sending groups to the Globe Theatre in London for courses and performing in the Edinburgh Fringe in 1995.Sarah Kerry now runs the Youth Group which meets every Saturday morning in term time for drama workshops and to rehearse for a major youth show, produced once a year in the main theatre.

Its presence in the community is evident in providing workshops for schools and as a creative focus for young people ,after council cuts reduced some drama initiatives in the City. Members of the Youth Group progress to productions in the main auditorium and some also enter drama school , the professional theatre and television, for example, Vince Handley and Linda Armstrong, Sherrie Hewson and Alexander Hanson.

Also, young people who have gained experience from acting in main house productions progress to Drama School; this year to date there are at least three young actors going off to Drama courses in October. Not only does the Lace Market Theatre provide experience in acting, but also training in the technical aspects of putting on a play, such as design, lighting , set-building, sound, and stage management, with opportunities to practise these skills in a near professional environment. This extends to contributing to musical direction for specific productions , eg last season , “A Little Night Music”.

Within the wider community ,the Theatre provides opportunities for “A level “ Literature and Drama students to see set texts performed , an invaluable experience whether for coursework or for enhancing appreciation of aspects of the text. This also applies to the students at both Universities who can experience the performance of English and European drama, for example this season “Lulu” by Wedekind in translation, and two German plays in German as part of the theatre exchange programme with two theatres in Karlsruhe. This exchange is a valuable cultural contribution to Nottingham's twinned relationship with Karlsuhe; in 2007 the theatre will enjoy the 25th Anniversary of the first exchange in 1982.

The most wide-ranging significance of the Lace Market Theatre’s contribution to the wider community of Nottingham is in providing the opportunity for audiences to see plays not often performed outside London in the professional theatre. For example ,our season this year finished with a production of “Power” by Nick Dear, first seen at the National Theatre in 2003. Our aim is to sustain and further develop entertainment and education in exciting future possibilities envisaged for the Lace Market Theatre.