Youth Companies

The Court Youth Company is a training and performance company for young actors aged 17-24. It provides an opportunity to develop potential and nurture performance skills through practical experience.

Members of The Court Youth Company are encouraged to develop their professional practice in order to enhance personal growth and build required performance skills in voice, movement, script/text analysis, stagecraft, research, and devising.

The programme for The Court Youth Company drives towards the practical application of these skills by working towards two public performances:

• Classical text: a show based on working text and conducting research from a classical script.
• Devising project: working with a theatre practitioner to devise original work.

Building the next generation of practitioners

As well as guiding Youth Company members through the craft of acting and theatre making, The Court Youth Company programme has a focus on developing the next generation of creative leaders, from all cultural and social backgrounds, through nurturing skills in leadership, working in collaboration, strong communication, and wellbeing.

High-quality theatre making

The Court Youth Company offers an opportunity for young actors to train and be exposed to high-quality theatre making, and to develop a distinguished theatrical vocabulary and focus. It provides a platform for developing new work by a young practicing community, and assists members in going on to work and train in other reputable Aotearoa New Zealand and international institutes.

The Jester Youth Company is a training ground for young people who want to grow their skills and confidence under the tutelage of The Court Theatre’s very own professional improv comedy troupe, The Court Jesters. Perfect for young performers aged 17 – 24 with a keen interest in improv, comedy, and theatre making, students spend up to two years developing their ability to create and present improvised comedy performance. The end goal is to provide the skills and experience necessary for performing independent work and the potential of becoming a future Court Jester here at The Court Theatre.

2026 Court Youth Company auditions will be held on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December 2025

2026 Jester Youth Company auditions will be held on Sunday 14 December 2025

Applications will open soon.