Our award-winning Chichester Festival Youth Theatre (CFYT) welcomes young people in weekly sessions at CFT and at our seven satellite locations across West Sussex. We aim to help young people of all abilities from a variety of backgrounds to develop their artistic, personal and social skills. Open to ages 5 to 25, CFYT is for anyone who wants to discover new skills, build confidence, make friends and have fun!

As well as taking part in weekly sessions, Youth Theatre members also have the opportunity to audition for CFYT productions, which are enjoyed by tens of thousands of audience members each year. Since it was founded in 1985, the Youth Theatre has staged over 80 productions. In recent years the Christmas production has become a highlight of the season, giving members the experience of performing on the Festival Theatre stage in a professional standard production. Our Technical Youth Theatre members also have the opportunity to work alongside professionals in the industry in a world-renowned theatre.

CFYT sessions take place in Chichester as well as at our seven satellite locations - Billingshurst, Bognor Regis, Burgess Hill, Horsham, Littlehampton, Midhurst and Worthing.

Alongside drama sessions we also offer Youth Dance, Musical Theatre, Technical Youth Theatre and sessions for young people with additional needs (these groups are CFYT Wednesday in Horsham and CFYT Friday in Chichester); so choose a group that's right for you and join us!

Membership costs £70 per term (bursaries available). If you’d like to find out more or have any questions about our Youth Theatre please email us at cfyt@cft.org.uk.

Do you want to get a taster of the RADA Short Course experience?

Our brand-new one-day workshops, taught in-person on a Saturday, offer you a practical insight into four key aspects of RADA's acting training.

The day consists of four classes:

- Voice
- Movement
- Contemporary Text
- Classical Text

Learn more about the key subjects at the heart of our training from members of the academy’s faculty in a fun and lively group environment, whether you are a total beginner or an actor looking for new inspiration to expand their approach.

Find your voice and build your confidence singing as you learn techniques to develop your vocal health, range, dynamics, and articulation to take your singing to the next level

Find your voice and build your confidence singing as you learn techniques to develop your vocal health, range, dynamics, and articulation to take your singing to the next level.

This Find Your Voice - Singing for Beginners package includes six tutorial videos to help you along your way. You can watch each tutorial as many times as you want and at your own pace. (On demand videos are available to view for 1 year from purchase).

If you’re ready to embark on your musical journey at a pace that suits you, then this is the perfect option.

Learn to play the ukulele at home with this introduction to your instrument, chords and melodies, finger style and strumming technique

This Absolute Beginner Ukulele package includes six tutorial videos to help you along your way. You can watch each tutorial as many times as you want and at your own pace. (On demand videos are available to view for 1 year from purchase).

If you’re ready to embark on your musical journey at a pace that suits you, then this is the perfect option.

Calling all women aged 25+!

The Women’s writing group is back in 2023! This term will be online, looking at performance poetry and spoken word with no experience required, led by Danielle McLauren and Paperwork Theatre

The final session will be an in-person event where people can share their work on March 29th. If interested, contact the email address below...

Our Performance Poetry course will introduce you to the techniques of performing the spoken word that is derived from your own creative writing. The course will look at how the written and spoken word differs, conventions of the spoken word, how to break the rules and how to find your own style. The sessions will be fun, inclusive and cater for those with experience as well as beginners. The course will also offer the opportunity to perform your creative work in front of an audience.

This course is suitable for all levels, from beginners to those with some experience who want to refresh their knowledge and hone their performance skills. Previous experience of performing or creative writing would help get the most from the course but these skills are not required. However, attending this class in conjunction with one of WMCs creative writing courses may be helpful. You will also will need to complete an Individual Learning Plan.

Learn to play the electric bass guitar from home with this introduction to picking and strumming, fretting, chords and Blues patterns and progressions

Learn to play the electric bass guitar from home with this introduction to picking and strumming, fretting, chords and Blues patterns and progressions.

This Absolute Beginner Electric Bass package includes six tutorial videos to help you along your way. You can watch each tutorial as many times as you want and at your own pace. (On demand videos are available to view for 1 year from purchase).

If you’re ready to embark on your musical journey at a pace that suits you, then this is the perfect option.

Learn to play the electric guitar from home and develop your playing skills from understanding tuning and tempo, rhythm and notes up to chord progressions and Blues scales

This Absolute Beginner Electric Guitar package includes six tutorial videos to help you along your way. You can watch each tutorial as many times as you want and at your own pace. (On demand videos are available to view for 1 year from purchase).

If you’re ready to embark on your musical journey at a pace that suits you, then this is the perfect option.

Learn to play the fiddle at home as you’re guided through an introduction to your instrument, how to hold your bow and bow technique, tuning and scales.

This Absolute Beginner Fiddle package includes six tutorial videos to help you along your way. You can watch each tutorial as many times as you want and at your own pace. (On demand videos are available to view for 1 year from purchase).

If you’re ready to embark on your musical journey at a pace that suits you, then this is the perfect option.

Are you 16-29 years old or a full time student? Enjoy live music? Interested in discounted tickets? Become an Under 30s member for free, and enjoy performances across Opera North, the Howard Assembly Room and Kirklees Concert Season!

Why should I join?
- Invitations to U30 event nights and exclusive members events, where you’ll meet others who love live music
- Get £10 tickets to Opera North’s Operas. In Leeds if you’re aged 16-20 your tickets to the opera are free
- £4 tickets for the Kirklees Concert Season
- £10 tickets to selected events in the Howard Assembly Room – if standard tickets are £10 or less, you’ll save £3 off the price*
- Bring a friend who’s in the same age bracket for any of our events, and they’ll get the deal too
- Enjoy exclusive food and drink offers at selected bars and restaurants
*Some events have a slightly different set up, but head to the seating plan to discover your discounts.