Young Everyman Playhouse kicks off 2025 with new shows and partnerships

The award-winning Young Everyman Playhouse (YEP) has launched into 2025 with a host of exciting new partnerships, including the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, DaDaFest, and Alder Hey, alongside fresh creative activity and a new class of young talent across its programmes.

This year’s YEP Class of 2025 includes Actors (14–17 and 18–25), Technicians (14–17 and 18–25), Directors, Producers and Writers. Following the success of YEP 2024, the programme is already shaping up to be an exciting and busy year, including a production of The Snow Dragons by YEP Actors 14–17 on the Everyman’s main stage on Friday 11 and Saturday 12 July.

Updates to YEP this year include a refresh for YEP Directors, in collaboration with the Young Advisors. 18–25-year-olds have the unique opportunity to get exclusive access to the rehearsal room by going on placement as a YEP Trainee Assistant Director on one of the Everyman’s four homegrown shows. They will also train in weekly sessions with expert professionals to explore and develop their skills. The year began with a masterclass led by the theatres’ Creative Director, Nathan Powell.

YEP Producers started the year with a project partnership with DaDaFest to curate DaDaFest International 40: Dive into Our Archive, alongside disabled curator Gill Crawshaw. Together, they explored the history of Disability and Deaf Arts, and how to develop disability arts with future generations.

Liverpool-based theatre company All Things Considered is collaborating with YEP Actors aged 18–25 to create a brand-new show for the EV1 Studio, running from Thursday 24 to Saturday 26 July. All Things Considered Theatre is known for its socially engaged work, creating immersive and participatory performances that spark open, honest conversations with audiences.

Young Everyman Theatre 2025 — Credit: Everyman Theatre

After the success of the first YEP Technicians 14–17 group in 2024, the programme is back and offering young people an introduction to the world of production arts, including a masterclass with FACT Liverpool. The YEP Technicians 18–25 group will continue their collaboration with Bristol Old Vic.

The YEP Writers Showcase returns on Friday 17 and Saturday 18 October. With just two directors, four actors, and five days in the rehearsal room, this focused team of professionals will bring to life a selection of bold new writing from this year’s group of YEP Writers.

In addition to delivering its core programmes, YEP continues to foster meaningful partnerships that expand access to creative opportunities for young people across the region. One such partnership is with the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, with whom YEP is collaborating to deliver a week of workshops, information sessions, and backstage tours for 14–25-year-olds from across the North West. The activities will run from Monday 14 to Thursday 17 April.

Chris Bayes, Access and Participation Manager of Royal Central School of Speech and Drama said:

“ This exciting week-long residency and formal partnership will hopefully encourage talented young people from across the Liverpool City Region who engage via the outstanding Young Everyman Playhouse (YEP) programme to develop an affinity with Central and join us as students in the future.

As a proud Liverpudlian, I am delighted that Everyman Playhouse is one of the Regional Theatre’s with whom we have developed a partnership as part of our ongoing commitment to Fair Access.”

Building on a longstanding partnership with the Arts and Health Team at Alder Hey, YEP has launched a free youth theatre programme for young people aged 8–13 who are receiving outpatient care and facing challenges related to illness. The sessions are designed to help participants connect with others, build resilience and wellbeing, and develop creative storytelling skills. Sign-ups are still open for those interested in joining.

In 2024, YEP supported 85 young people, delivering over 6,000 contact hours and reaching more than 1,600 audience members. It continues to be a vibrant space where young people can express themselves, share their stories, and explore opportunities in the creative industries. Recruitment for YEP opens in autumn 2025.