A new youth theatre programme is launching in Poole, giving young people across the region a fresh opportunity to get involved in the arts. Lighthouse Poole, the largest arts centre in the UK outside London, announced on 7 May 2026 that applications are now open for the newly established Lighthouse Youth Theatre, with the first sessions beginning this autumn.
The programme is designed to be accessible to all, with no auditions required for those wishing to join. Participants will be divided into three age groups, covering ages 5-7, 8-11, and 12-15. Sessions will take place on Saturdays during term time, and the programme includes exciting perks such as backstage tours, access to discounted tickets, and invitations to preview performances. The experience will culminate in an end-of-year production held on the main stage at the arts centre.
This initiative is supported by the Arbor Vitae Foundation, a Dorset-based charity that focuses on education, the arts, and health. The launch represents the Foundation’s first major grant. The new theatre group will also link up with existing creative learning programmes at the centre, including those for young technicians, writers, and producers.
The development arrives as the wider Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area continues to grow its cultural profile. The region, which boasts a visitor economy valued at £1.3 billion, has submitted a collective bid for the UK Town of Culture 2028. This bid, overseen by BCP Council, carries a potential £3 million funding prize, with a winner expected to be named by early 2027.
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