THE Everyman Theatre is offering a number of bursary places to this year's Musical Theatre Summer School to young people, who would not otherwise be able to afford the course fee.

The places will be funded by the Everyman Theatre Association (ETA).

The Musical Theatre Summer School is a popular annual event which aims to nurture existing talent and develop new skills in the arts.

This year’s the Summer School is inspired by the hit musical STOMP! featuring explosive energy, dance, drama and song.

From Monday, August 13 to Friday, August 24, young people between the ages of 11 and 19 will learn a selection of songs and new techniques that blend comedy, dance and pure rhythm.

They will work with West End performers and seasoned theatre professionals, before joining forces with Peter Gill’s Rock School Band, for a live performance on the Everyman’s main stage for family and friends.

Summer School students can also work towards an Arts Award – a nationally recognised qualification which assesses arts-related and transferable skills.

The feedback from young people who’ve attended previous Summer Schools is overwhelmingly positive and highlights how the experience has developed their confidence, skills and circle of friends.

The ETA is sponsoring five places on this year’s course costing £200 per pupil, to enable those from more disadvantaged backgrounds to take part in this high quality educational, artistic, and fun experience.

In addition, the Everyman is also offering a further five full bursaries and a number of places at a reduced cost, which will be funded by the theatre’s donors, who regularly contribute to support educational and community projects such as this.

Mark Goucher, the Everyman Theatre’s Chief Executive said: “I am thrilled that the ETA has generously decided to financially support 5 young people who otherwise would not be able to take part in this creative, confidence building and fun programme during the summer holidays.

"This is the second year that the ETA has chosen to support our education, training and outreach programmes and shows a real commitment by the friends of the theatre to help and encourage young people to get a taste of the theatre first hand and to be able to perform on our main stage.

We have also decided to offer an additional 5 full bursaries and a number of places at a reduced price, to make the course even more accessible to those who would not normally be able to take advantage of our Summer School.”

  • If you feel you qualify for a bursary and would like to apply, please email louise.partridge@everymantheatre.org.uk to express your interest. For more information and to book places on this year's Summer School, call the Everyman Theatre Box Office on 01242 572573 or visit everymantheatre.org.uk/participate/youth-theatre/.