Cast, Doncaster's flag-ship theatre, is celebrating another extraordinary year of creativity, friendship, and performance across its thriving Youth Theatre, supported by a dedicated collection of local businesses, charitable trusts, and individual donors.
Over the past year, Cast hosted 170 active members across weekly sessions. The programme provides young people with the chance to find their voice, build confidence, and shine on stage.
Providing young people across Doncaster with high-quality creative opportunities, regardless of their financial situation, is central to Cast’s value of welcoming everyone.
To ensure cost is never a barrier to taking part, funding and community support have enabled Cast to continue to provide free bursary or reduced-cost places to 35% of all Youth Theatre members this year.
The impact of these weekly sessions goes far beyond acting skills.
A Youth Theatre participant said:
"Youth Theatre has given me so much confidence. I've worked part-time this year and I definitely don't think I'd have had the confidence to be able to do that without the growth I've had through Youth Theatre."
A parent of a child receiving a subsidised place said:
“Seeing her speak on stage at the summer performance was very emotional... we are so proud of the social and communication skills she has developed in Youth Theatre.”
This life-changing work happens thanks to our generous funding partners, local businesses, charitable trusts and donors. Long-term support from One Call Insurance drives our session expansion, staffing, and subsidised places. Coupled with Christmas fundraising at Lakeside Village Shopping Centre's Santa’s Grotto and vital grants from John Thaw Foundation, Victoria Wood Foundation, Boris Karloff Foundation, Tesco Stronger Starts, National Theatre Speak Up Legacy Funding along with our appeal donors, this shared commitment helps local young people thrive.
Justine Green, Youth Theatre Manager at Cast, said:
"Thanks to the amazing support from our funders, we can make sure that young people in Doncaster get the chance to shine, make friends, and feel completely at home here."
The excitement is only growing as Cast looks to the future. In 2027, the venue will celebrate the 10th Anniversary of Cast Youth Theatre!
To mark a decade of supporting local young people, Cast will host a landmark anniversary show alongside a calendar of celebratory events. As part of its commitment to reaching more communities and thanks to funding from Tween Bridge Community Benefit Fund, Cast will be launching two brand-new Youth Theatre groups in Thorne, bringing regular, high-quality drama activities directly to local families.
To learn more about Cast Youth Theatre, explore upcoming shows, or support local young people, visit castindoncaster.com
Cast
-
Mary Swinden Head of Marketing & Development
- August 05, 2026
- 01302 303950
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