in partnership with The B-Bar
BT Youth
Creative classes for ages 8–25 in music, performance, and musical theatre
Barbican Theatre Youth offers a programme of weekly creative classes designed to support young people in developing their skills, confidence, and creativity. Whether your child is taking their first steps into the arts or looking to build experience for further training or careers in the creative industries, our classes provide structured, supportive, and engaging opportunities led by professional artists.
All sessions take place at Barbican Theatre in Plymouth and run in 10-week blocks during term time. Classes are tailored to different age groups and levels of experience, with a focus on collaboration, individual expression, and high-quality arts education.
- BT Music (ages 15–25): A combined class covering songwriting, music production, live performance, and recording. Ideal for young artists, singers, producers, and musicians.
- BT Performance (ages 12–18): Theatre-based training in acting, devising, movement, and storytelling. A creative space to explore different performance styles and build confidence.
- BT Musical Theatre (ages 8–18): A new class focused on combining singing, acting, and movement. Delivered in two age groups to support development at different stages.
- Masterclasses (ages 18+): one-off, focused training sessions for adults aged 18+, led by experienced industry professionals. They explore specific areas of performance and creative practice, such as directing, producing, stage combat, and voice work.
Music and Performance Sessions can be booked via a termly member so no need to book weekly! Your child can try our different classes and attend as much as they like. Membership booking opens this summer for classes starting in September.
Early sign-up is encouraged!
Give your child the chance to discover their creative voice, grow their confidence, and have a lot of fun along the way!
FAQs
We’re committed to making our youth programme accessible to everyone. As a charity, we receive some funding to deliver our creative programmes – but this doesn’t cover all of our costs. To help us keep our classes affordable and open to as many young people as possible, we've introduced a tiered pricing structure for our termly membership.
Here’s how it works:
Everyone gets the same great classes, led by professional artists.
You choose the price that feels right for your family.
If you’re in a position to give a little more, you can opt for the 'Help Us' tier to support the programme’s long-term sustainability.
It’s a simple 'Help Us, Help You' approach – you choose what you can afford, and every contribution goes directly into keeping our programme inclusive and high-quality.
Barbican Theatre Youth offers a welcoming and supportive environment where young people can explore music, theatre, and musical theatre, regardless of their experience level. Our weekly classes are led by professional artists and are designed to build confidence, develop creative skills, and encourage collaboration.
With tailored sessions for different age groups and skill levels, flexible tiered pricing, and opportunities to perform, we aim to make high-quality arts education accessible to all. Whether your child is just starting out or looking to take their creativity further, Barbican Theatre Youth provides the structure, inspiration, and support they need to thrive.
To sign your child up, simply follow these two steps:
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Choose your tiered term membership (£30 | £50 | £70) and purchase it via Eventbrite.
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Complete our booking form to confirm your child’s place and provide any necessary details.
Both steps are required to secure a spot in the programme. Links to Eventbrite and the booking form can be found on our website. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us directly.
We also provide no-questions-asked bursaries for families who need extra support. Please speak to Dulcie for more information.
Yes. Each strand includes informal sharings or performances during the year. Larger-scale outcomes, such as our summer youth music festival or outdoor theatre productions, may also be part of the programme.
All sessions are led by experienced industry professionals who are active in their fields. Our facilitators are selected for their ability to support and inspire young people.
All classes take place at Barbican Theatre during term time:
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Music: Mondays, 5:30pm–8:00pm
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Performance: Wednesdays, 5:30pm–7:00pm
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Musical Theatre: Saturdays, 9:30am–12:45pm (split by age)
Our masterclasses are one-off, focused training sessions for adults aged 18+, led by experienced industry professionals. They explore specific areas of performance and creative practice, such as directing, producing, stage combat, and voice work.
- If you're 18 and still in school or college, or feel more comfortable learning in a youth-focused environment, Barbican Theatre Youth classes may be more suitable.
- If you're 18+ and looking to connect with other adults or explore drama in a more independent, mature space, you may prefer one of our Adults courses.
Interested in Adults classes?
Head to BT Adults 👉
Key Contact
Barbican Theatre is a safe and inclusive space
Everyone is welcome here – regardless of race, class, religion, country of origin, immigration status, disability, age, gender identity, or sexual orientation. We are committed to creating an environment where all individuals can be themselves and feel respected, valued, and supported.