In 2024, I worked on behalf of a consortium of youth theatres, supported by a wide range of other national organisations and funded by Arts Council England, to create the Youth Theatre Census - the biggest national survey of youth theatres in England since 2011.
414 youth theatres in virtually every part of England responded to the Census. Their answers give a compelling and urgent picture of youth theatre today - important, transformative, vibrant … and fragile.
Our Summary Report highlights the key findings, written on behalf of the commissioning youth theatres - Burnley Youth Theatre, Company Three, Mortal Fools, Prime Theatre, Theatre Factory and 20 Stories High.
You can also download the full 71-page independent report, written by our researcher, Ruth Stevenson of Ruthless Research, and an easy read version of the summary report.
