Preston Youth Theatre is holding auditions for free summer school places after securing funding from the Heritage Lottery. 

Twenty places are up for grabs at the summer school, which will run from 23 to 27 July at the Curious Minds unit at Preston Guild Hall.

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The group will have the chance to meet industry professionals, go backstage at the theatre, get a behind-the-scenes tour of the Lancashire Archive, and complete an Arts Award certificate.

The Heritage Lottery funding will also allow the group to research, devise, and perform a piece at the Lancashire Encounter festival, which takes place on 22 September. 

Read more: What to expect at this year’s Lancashire Encounter festival

The piece will be inspired by the Preston Lock Out of 1853/54, when Lancashire’s cotton workers staged a mass walk-out over wage cuts.

The Preston Youth Theatre cast will research the historic series of events at the Lancashire Archive. They will work with creative director Charlie Mortimer to mount a production of class war and poverty, which is being touted as “Preston’s answer to Les Misérables”.

Outgoing artistic director Jack Bamber said: “The impact this funding will have for our young people is immeasurable, with the opportunity to create a high quality performance about Preston’s heritage as part of September’s Lancashire Encounter.”

Deputy Head of the Harris Tim Joel said: “It’s great to see that our Youth Theatre have been inspired to undertake this ambitious project from one of our talks at the Harris.

”It’s fantastic to see the group grow and continue to produce high quality performances in the city, while the team work to develop these creative young people.”

Read more: How we’re helping Summer Saturdays to happen on the Flag Market

Group auditions for summer school take place on Saturday 23 June. They are open to young people aged 7 to 17 with an interest in theatre, and who would like to gain an arts award qualification and perform at Lancashire Encounter. 

To book an audition or find out more, contact prestonyouththeatre@outlook.com or send a message via the Preston Youth Theatre Facebook page.

Preston Youth Theatre’s next performance will be David Copperfield, accompanied by live music from Audrey’s Dance. The free show takes place at St. John’s Minster on Tuesday 19 June, with doors opening at 7pm.

Have you seen any of Preston Youth Theatre’s productions? Let us know in the comments below.