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Dates
Sundays during term time
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Times
Between 9 AM – 1 PM (see timings below)
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Fees (per term)
£60–£140 dependent on age group. Partial bursaries available.
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Bursary Application Dates
Open: Monday 7th October
Close: Friday 1st November - Bursary Form
On Sundays during term time, we are open to young people from across the South West. Catering for children aged 3-18, Sunday Young Artists provides weekly classes in performance and production skills taught by professionals with support from our full-time degree students at the height of their training.
We offer classes for the following age groups:
Wings – age 3-4
Upstage – age 5-6
Downstage – age 7-9
Centre Stage – age 10-12
Stage Left – age 13-15
Stage Right – age 16-18
We are educating in the “culture” of theatre, that collaboration across disciplines is required to make productions possible. There is no leading role, but an ensemble of young artists that realises each piece of work.
Students will gain an understanding of the variety of job roles in professional theatre and the importance of team work, communication skills and innovative thinking.
Every term focuses on a theme, with exercises and activities structured around it. Students will explore performance skills, costume and set design, as well as different roles within theatre making such as directing and stage management.
At the end of the term students are able to invite family and friends to share the work they’ve explored during the term.
Term dates, class structure and fees
Spring term 2025 runs on Sundays from 12 January to 23 March. There is no class on Sunday 23 February, due to half term. At the last day of term, we invite family and friends (two seats per student) to join us in sharing what they have explored in the ten weeks.
The classes run on the following schedule:
Wings (age 3–4)
09:45–10:00 Registration
10:00–11:00 Class
For spring term 2025, the fee will be £60 per term.
Upstage (age 5–6)
11:00–11:15 Registration
11:15–12:05 Class 1
12:15–13:00 Class 2
For spring term 2025, the fee will be £115 per term.
Downstage (age 7–9), Centre Stage (age 10–12), Stage Left (age 13–15), Stage Right (age 16–18)
09:45–10:00 Registration
10:00–10:50 Class one
11:00–11:50 Class two
12:00–12:50 Class three
12:50–13:00 Pack up and home time
For spring term 2025, the fee will be £140 per term.
Spring Term 2025
“Global Storytellers!”
Over the course of ten weeks, children will not only explore the diverse landscapes, traditions, and stories that shape our world but also uncover the profound connections and shared experiences that unite us all.
Each week will immerse participants in the captivating tales passed down through different cultures. Through interactive activities, captivating storytelling, and hands-on exploration, young adventurers will gain a deep appreciation for the intertwining and sharing of ideas across theatre and beyond.
But the journey doesn’t end there! With each lesson, children will contribute to the creation of a piece of work that celebrates the universal themes and timeless stories found within our global community. As they welcome friends and family for a watching week at the end of term, they’ll not only showcase their newfound knowledge and creativity but also embody the spirit of unity and cultural exchange that lies at the heart of theatre itself.
Teaching
BOVTS courses for under-18s are taught by experienced professionals, assisted by our degree students at the height of their training. All hold enhanced DBS checks. You can view our safeguarding policy on our Policies and Procedures page. The Young Artists Manager and Young Artists Assistant Manager oversee the smooth running of the building each Sunday.
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FAQs
FAQ’s
Whether your aim is to improve your acting skills, learn a new design skill, or simply to have fun and make friends, you will receive a warm welcome at BOVTS Young Artists!
Is it for me?
BOVTS Young Artists is aimed at young people with creative spark. We aim to offer experiences in all areas of theatre making to give students an idea of how productions work in the professional world. We do this in an inclusive, fun atmosphere utilizing the talents of our current students who are soon to be professionals themselves.
Do I need any previous experience?
No, all we ask is that you are willing to give stuff a go.
What do we do?
Each term we will look at a different story or stimulus and invent a short performance around it using exercises seen on our full time courses. All students get involved with script writing, costume design, prop building, directing, stage managing and of course acting.
Will we use a script?
There may be some script or text to look at which will inspire our story. You also may be asked to write some script yourself. But mostly, we play and improvise. If working with text is a concern for you, please let us know, and we can make sure that these aspects of the classes are made accessible for you.
Do you run a financial assistance scheme?
Those who enrol on the Young Artists programme may be eligible for financial assistance through our bursary scheme. Please read our bursary policy below for further details.
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Short Courses Refund Policy
If you wish to cancel your place on the course, you will receive a full refund if you notify the school at least 7 days prior to the start of the course. For cancellations, contact [email protected]
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Bursaries for Youth Courses
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1. When do bursary applications open for each term?
The dates for bursary applications are as follows:
Spring term Young Artists 2025 – bursary applications are open between Monday 7 October and Friday 1 November 2024. To apply for a bursary place, please complete the Young Artists Bursary form.
Spring term Young Conservatoire 2025 – bursary applications are open between Thursday 3 October to Thursday 31 October 2024. To apply for a bursary place, please complete the Young Conservatoire Bursary form.
Summer term Young Artists 2025 – bursary applications are open between Monday 13 January and Friday 21 February 2025After these dates, places will go on general sale, meaning it is still possible to enrol, but that we won’t be able to consider you for a bursary-supported place.
2. I have been allocated a bursary before, do I need to reapply for next term?
If you are currently in receipt of a bursary and your circumstances haven’t changed, you will not need to complete a bursary application form again, but you will need to let us know you wish to be considered for a bursary next term. To do this, please email [email protected] expressing your wish for your bursary to be reviewed for next term.
3. I have been allocated a bursary before, will it be the same amount if I apply again next term?
As we take on new submissions for bursaries each term, the amount you are allocated each term is liable to change. We will inform you of any changes in the amount once all bursaries have been allocated for a term.
4. I have been allocated a bursary, how long do I have before I need to let you know if I will be taking it?
You will have a period of 14 days after the bursary has been allocated to accept it.
5. I haven’t received a bursary before, how do I apply?
We will upload an application form on our website during the bursary application period. Please fill this form to be considered for a bursary.
Forms will be available in the Young Artists Bursaries section on the oldvic.ac.uk/young-artists page.
6. Will all applicants be allocated a bursary?
We will consider all applications sent via our website form and assess them against a set of criteria. However, we cannot guarantee that an applicant will be allocated a bursary.
Some of the assessment criteria we use include (but are not limited to):
> applicant in financial hardship
> disabled applicant
> applicant is from an area of low progression to higher education
> applicant is in care or is a care leaver
> applicant belongs to groups of people who are considered ‘hard to reach’If you have any further questions, please contact [email protected].
- Policies and Procedures
