Our Youth programme

Sharnbrook Mill Theatre Youth is part of the full Mill society yet has a unique character of its own. Youth activities are led by a mix of fully-qualified teaching professionals, long-standing youth performers and experts in a range of technical fields.

We have recently entered into a creative partnership with Umbrella Theatre Academy, under the leadership of Louise Devonshire-Mander. You can read more about the new Youth theatre groups run by Umbrella here.

Meet the Sharnbrook Mill Theatre Youth team

Barry Thompson – Governors’ Representative for the Mill Theatre Youth

Barry has a long history of both performing and directing. He has worked with a multitude of theatre groups, but confesses that The Mill holds a special place in his heart. He has previously run a very successful theatre school for many years (Stagewise) introducing young people to the joys of theatre, been an Education Adviser for Drama in Bedfordshire, as well as Head of Drama in a number of upper schools, Director of Bedfordshire Youth Theatre, and has worked with different agencies to deliver lessons through drama in schools throughout Northamptonshire, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire. Although he involves himself in a wide spectrum of drama techniques, his favourite is using physical theatre as a narrative – especially Greek and Roman mythology.

Bridie Gibbs – Youth Theatre Co-ordinator

Bridie has worked in a Youth Theatre capicity since she was at school. She has both performed and helped backstage in a variety of settings, including playing Tracey Turnblad in her school’s production of Hairspray, and has performed at dance festivals in Banbury, Oxford, Milton Keynes, Dunstable, Luton, and in the Netherlands. Bridie went on to pursue a Performing Arts degree at the University of Bedfordshire / De Montfort University, and has completed a Musical Theatre certificate with UCLA in New York, USA. Bridie began volunteering with Sharnbrook Mill Theatre in June 2022 and thoroughly enjoyed her experience working backstage with the cast and crew on Nativity: the Musical. Since then she has been keen to get youth involved in productions wherever possible, and has spearheaded the development of youth provisions at the theatre.

Elaina Waterhouse – Stage Management

Elaina has been working in the technical theatre and backstage management industries for over 11 years. Having studied stage management at the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama in London, Elaina had numerous opportunities to work on West End and touring theatre shows across the country. She has stage managed for three productions at the Mill since joining in December 2021, and will be the Production Manager for our upcoming autumn musical Evita. Elaina is passionate about giving youth opportunities to learn technical and backstage skills, and will be assisting the youth team with providing training in these areas.

Safeguarding

The safety of our Youth members (and the adults tutoring and assisting them) is paramount and therefore all adults involved are vetted and have to obtain an Enhanced DBS Check. No adult will be on their own with a child at any point and we will always assign at least two adults to every activity involving our Youth members. Our full safeguarding guidelines are part of our Health and Safety guidelines and can be read here.

Summer School

Our annual Youth Summer School, for those aged 6-18. If you’d like to find out more details, please visit this page or contact us to find out more.

Contacting the Sharnbrook Mill Theatre Youth

You can contact us at youth@sharnbrookmilltheatre.co.uk. Alternatively, contact us using this form.