ASSOCIATE PROGRAMME: YOUNG ACTORS COMPANY 7-10/11yrs
Intensive Accelerated Development
Young Actors Company 7-10/11yrs
An Intensive, Accelerated Introduction To Theatre And Performance
The ABOP Young Actors Company offers talented children aged 7–10/11yrs an opportunity to navigate their performance journey through an intensive programme of practical training, rehearsal and live theatre.
Designed for talented young performers with enthusiasm, aptitude and a willingness to learn, the programme goes beyond the format of a conventional drama class. Members become part of a working company, exploring the craft of acting while contributing to the creation of stage productions.
With an approach that combines ambition with age-appropriate guidance, young actors are encouraged to challenge themselves, develop their creative instincts and discover what it takes to bring a production to life.
Learning Through Performance
At ABOP, the process of making theatre is central to how young performers learn.
Through acting, character development, storytelling, movement and rehearsal, members explore the techniques that bring a performance to life. They learn to interpret direction, deliver material with clarity, make imaginative choices and respond instinctively to other performers.
Rather than treating these skills as isolated exercises, the company puts them into practice within a production context. Young actors experience how ideas evolve through rehearsal, how characters take shape and how individual performances contribute to the wider story.
This practical approach gives each member the opportunity to apply what they learn, refine their technique and develop a deeper understanding of the craft.
A Company, Not Just a Class
Membership of the ABOP Young Actors Company brings a sense of belonging, shared purpose and responsibility.
Working as an ensemble, children learn to listen, collaborate, take direction and recognise the value of every contribution. They begin to understand that successful theatre relies not only on individual ability, but on the combined efforts of an entire company.
Individuality remains equally important. Young performers are encouraged to use their imagination, explore their own ideas and develop a distinctive approach to their work, while respecting the creative process and the people around them.
This combination of personal expression and collective responsibility helps establish the foundations of a strong ensemble and a positive, professional approach to theatre-making.
Accelerated Development Through Experience
The ABOP Young Actors Company is designed to offer a more intensive route into performance, bringing practical training and production experience together from an early age.
By working towards real performance outcomes, members can see how techniques learned in training translate to the stage. Each production introduces new demands, allowing young actors to build on their experience, broaden their skills and approach increasingly complex material as they progress.
The result is a structured pathway through which talent can be nurtured and potential explored, with practical experience providing the basis for future opportunities.
The aim is not simply to introduce children to acting, but to give them a meaningful understanding of the work, preparation and creativity involved in making theatre.
High Expectations. Real Experience. Strong Foundations
ABOP believes that ambition and high standards have a place in a young performer's development. With the right guidance, children can rise to challenges, take pride in their achievements and discover the rewards of working towards something that demands focus and perseverance.
Within the company, members are encouraged to approach their work with curiosity, determination and an openness to feedback. Mistakes become opportunities to learn, challenges encourage resourcefulness, and progress comes through the willingness to keep refining their craft.
For young people with the ability and commitment to make the most of the opportunity, the ABOP Young Actors Company offers an early introduction to the demands and rewards of performance within a company that values artistic growth and the quality of its work.
At ABOP, young actors don't simply learn about theatre. They become part of the process of making it.
Commitment and Expectations
Being part of a company means being part of something bigger than yourself.
The ABOP Young Actors Company is an audition-based, intensive performance programme for children aged 7–10/11yrs. Membership offers an opportunity to develop talent through practical training, rehearsal and production, but it also comes with clear expectations.
This is not a drop-in drama class. Members are expected to approach their work with focus, commitment and a willingness to learn. Regular attendance, punctuality, preparation and the ability to take direction are essential to the way the company operates.
Theatre relies on collaboration. Every performer has a responsibility to the production and to the people they work alongside. Members must be prepared to learn their material, engage fully in rehearsals, respond constructively to feedback and make a consistent contribution to the company.
These standards are established with due consideration for the age of our performers, with guidance and support provided throughout. The expectation, however, is that every member takes their place in the company seriously.
A Commitment from Parents, Too
A young performer's place in the company requires commitment from the whole family. Before auditioning, parents and carers should consider whether they can accommodate the demands of the programme alongside existing school and family commitments.
Regular attendance, learning lines and material at home, responding to communications and arranging transport to rehearsals and performances are all part of supporting a child's participation.
Production periods may involve additional rehearsals and a greater time commitment. Dates and requirements will be communicated in advance, and families are expected to plan accordingly and support the agreed schedule.
The absence or lack of preparation of one performer can affect the progress of an entire production. Families must therefore recognise that reliability and communication are fundamental to the success of the company.
Ambition, Support and Enjoyment
ABOP aims to provide an environment in which young performers are challenged to achieve more than they might expect of themselves, while receiving the guidance and support needed to progress.
High standards do not mean expecting perfection. They mean being willing to put in the effort, accept direction, learn from mistakes and keep working to improve. Talent is important, but attitude, application and the ability to work with others are equally valued.
We want our members to enjoy performing, take pride in their achievements and experience the satisfaction of contributing to a successful production. That enjoyment comes alongside a shared understanding that meaningful progress requires effort and commitment.
A place in the ABOP Young Actors Company is an opportunity, but it is also a responsibility. We ask families to consider the expectations carefully before auditioning, so that those who join are ready to embrace both the opportunities and the commitment involved.
Joining the Company
Membership of the ABOP Young Actors Company offers young performers aged 7–10 the opportunity to become part of an intensive, accelerated programme built around the experience of making and performing Theatre. Joining the company involves a commitment to learning, rehearsing and performing, alongside the responsibilities of working as part of an ensemble. We encourage families to consider the expectations of the programme and the commitment required before applying.
We are looking for young performers who are enthusiastic about theatre, willing to learn and ready to embrace the opportunities and responsibilities of company membership.
Auditions
Entry to the ABOP Young Actors Company is through audition. This provides an opportunity to explore each child's potential, their response to direction and their readiness to engage with the programme. Previous performance experience is not essential. We are interested in young performers who demonstrate curiosity, imagination, concentration and a willingness to try new things. Above all, we look for potential, commitment and an openness to learning and developing as part of a company.
Auditions are an opportunity for children to demonstrate their interest in performing and for ABOP to assess their suitability for the programme.
If you would like to Register Your Interest please email the officeabop@gmail.com
