In 2021 National Youth Theatre (NYT) completed an award-winning, low carbon renovation of its north London creative home, located in one of the most deprived neighbourhoods in England in Islington. Repurposing 90% of the existing building structure, the renovation created a new accessible entrance and reception; doubled the number of studio and workshop spaces for young people; and created a new Workshop Theatre onsite for the first time in NYT’s 68-year history. As part of the redevelopment and with the support of Arts Council England the NYT have also purchased the lease of the building, providing long term financial resilience.
The additional rehearsal space created by the redevelopment, initiated with lead support from the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund, has enabled the NYT to generate vital funds, tripling its commercial hires income at a challenging time for all theatres. Professionals rehearse in the building alongside the next generation of talent and through a social value contracts model experience is shared through Q&As, workshops and the chance to watch selected rehearsals. The new state-of-the-art rehearsal spaces have been hired to leading West End, touring and international productions including Back to the Future: The Musical, Mean Girls, The Motive and the Cue, & Juliet and many more. The BBC also filmed their major arts series Bring the Drama in the building.
Read more about how investment in theatres supports communities to thrive.
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