Members MUST be between 11 and 17. Below this age and you are too young, above this age and you may go on to other activities within the society.

Entry is by audition, and we usually have these twice a year, unless nobody turns 18 or leaves.

First you should write to:-

Once the form arrives you will be asked to write a paragraph on why you would like to join, then return it to the above address. You will not be notified until close to the auditions. (This saves us paperwork.) All instructions will be included.

There are usually up to 30 people at each audition. You need to show us what you can do.

Entry is through the Stage door from Kingsway, Newport. For directions see the Find Us page.

The group meets for sessions, during these sessions some aspect of training or practice will be worked on. We have covered topics as diverse as stage combat, writing for the theatre, stage make up; creating wounds, and acting skills. All members take part in these sessions, taken by the leaders, and sometimes visiting speakers.

In addition to the sessions there are opportunities to act in various plays, on the main (400 seated) stage in the Dolman Theatre, and also in the smaller (70 seated) Studio theatre. So a lot of rehearsal time is often needed in addition to the sessions.

Should directors for the Playgoers plays require children for their production, they will often cast from the Youth Theatre, and so other opportunities sometimes become available, also the Youth Theatre is contacted from time to time by other agencies requiring young actors, such as Newport Film School, Clwyd Theatr Cymru (recently used members for their production of Brassed Off) and other local groups.

We meet on alternate Saturdays during term time, from 10 till 1 and usually rehearse the alternate Saturday and Tuesday and Thursday nights from 7 till 9 pm. Attendance is compulsory for the sessions, although one phone call to a leader with apologies will secure your place.

Three absences without any explanation and your place goes to the next audition.

We usually have a long waiting list so places are at a premium.

As the leaders are all teachers or workers with children, all our present staff are CRB checked, and of course completely mad (well, you have to be to want to volunteer to do this on your days off, we think).