RSC one of six theatres leading National Youth Advisory Board

Members of our Youth Advisory Board are among a group of talented young leaders joining forces to create the first National Youth Advisory Board for the theatre sector.

The National Youth Advisory Board (NYAB) will include representatives from the youth boards at the RSC, Almeida Theatre, Edinburgh’s Capital Theatres, Chichester Festival Theatre, Leicester’s Curve Theatre and Liverpool Everyman.

At a time when access to the arts and arts learning opportunities in schools are at an all-time low, the new NYAB will advocate for a more inclusive sector, as well as promote the voices of young people and under-represented groups on and off stage, in programming and decision-making.

Sayana Backer, member of the RSC's Youth Advisory Board, said:
"The arts and theatre really matter to young people: they reflect our experiences, teach us what it means to be human and help us call out injustice.

"Young people face a more uncertain future than ever, so making sure that we hold each other and our institutions accountable is incredibly important. By joining forces with other like-minded young people, the NYAB can be more than just the sum of its parts and make opportunities everywhere across the country, for every young person."

Member of our Youth Advisory Board, Sayana Backer (left), says that the new national board will help young people have their voices heard and create more opportunities in the arts for young people.
Photo by Sara Beaumont © RSC Browse and license our images

The group is now calling on other theatres with similar youth advisory boards or groups to join the new NYAB. Up to two delegates from each group can be nominated, and the NYAB will meet three times a year: once virtually and twice in person.

An exploratory meeting was hosted by the Almeida Theatre in 2024 and the first formal meeting, scheduled for June, will be chaired and hosted by the RSC here in Stratford-upon-Avon.

For more information, or if your youth group or advisory board are interested in joining the NYAB, please contact yab@cft.org.uk

Members of our Youth Advisory Board - pictured with RSC Co-Artistic Director Tamara Harvey - will join forces with other Youth Advisory Boards across the sector to advocate for a more inclusive theatre industry.
Photo by Sara Beaumont © RSC Browse and license our images

RSC one of six theatres leading National Youth Advisory Board

You may also like

Youth Advisory Board

Time to Listen report raises alarm bells on arts provision in schools

"Give Us A Voice". Young People Call for Space in the Arts

Time To Act