About us
Our Aim
Our aim is to provide young people who are currently in secondary education with opportunities to develop their performance skills through a variety of communication methods. Through working in all areas of stage craft - including the support of performances through stage-management, technical support, marketing, costumes and make-up - young people are encouraged to develop the self-confidence and personal qualities that will sustain them through life. Team-working, self-respect and respect for others are key to our ethos.
Membership
St Ives Youth Theatre is a company of up to 60 teenagers, SIYT is open to anyone in secondary education in Huntingdonshire and membership is achieved through auditions held each September. - Complete an application form
There is a monthly membership fee of £25 per month which is payable by standing order each month. The fees we collect from members are used to cover the costs of running the theatre company and it’s productions, such as leasing of rehearsal spaces, costumes, venues and equipment. We do not pay salaries or fees to any of the people who routinely run the Thursday evening sessions or help to organise the theatre company - they are all unpaid volunteers. There are additional fees for external activities, such as attending the Edinburgh Fringe, theatre visits. A imited number of bursaries are available in exceptional circumstances - contact us by email if this is something you would like to discuss.
SIYT meets each Thursday evenings (between 7 and 9pm), during school term time at Corn Exchange, St Ives. When preparing for productions, rehearsals are during weekday evenings and at weekends as the performance gets closer. Rehearsals are critical to the success of our performance whether they are 6 weeks or 6 days before our first night. Members are expected to arrive on-time, being prepared and to be focussed throughout the rehearsal. Members are responsible for arranging their own transport to and from rehearsals.
Do I have to Show Up? Yes! Only by attending weekly meetings and committing to rehearsals do we make sure that everyone does the best job they possibly can and gets as much from the experience. Even if you think you know your part well, other people may in the cast have no idea what you’re doing unless they rehearse with you – no matter how good you may think you are!
As well as a rehearsal programme, the company may also make trips to help understand the background behind the pieces in production. In preparation for previous productions, we have visited an Orphanage in Warsaw, the Concentration Camps at Auschwitz and Treblinka, the trading floor of the London Metal Exchange, had tea at Harrods by Mohammed al Fayed, visited Dartmoor Prison, Lourdes, the plague village of Eyam and Dr. Barnardo's first poor school in the East End of London.
There is a monthly membership fee of £25 per month which is payable by standing order each month. The fees we collect from members are used to cover the costs of running the theatre company and it’s productions, such as leasing of rehearsal spaces, costumes, venues and equipment. We do not pay salaries or fees to any of the people who routinely run the Thursday evening sessions or help to organise the theatre company - they are all unpaid volunteers. There are additional fees for external activities, such as attending the Edinburgh Fringe, theatre visits. A imited number of bursaries are available in exceptional circumstances - contact us by email if this is something you would like to discuss.
SIYT meets each Thursday evenings (between 7 and 9pm), during school term time at Corn Exchange, St Ives. When preparing for productions, rehearsals are during weekday evenings and at weekends as the performance gets closer. Rehearsals are critical to the success of our performance whether they are 6 weeks or 6 days before our first night. Members are expected to arrive on-time, being prepared and to be focussed throughout the rehearsal. Members are responsible for arranging their own transport to and from rehearsals.
Do I have to Show Up? Yes! Only by attending weekly meetings and committing to rehearsals do we make sure that everyone does the best job they possibly can and gets as much from the experience. Even if you think you know your part well, other people may in the cast have no idea what you’re doing unless they rehearse with you – no matter how good you may think you are!
As well as a rehearsal programme, the company may also make trips to help understand the background behind the pieces in production. In preparation for previous productions, we have visited an Orphanage in Warsaw, the Concentration Camps at Auschwitz and Treblinka, the trading floor of the London Metal Exchange, had tea at Harrods by Mohammed al Fayed, visited Dartmoor Prison, Lourdes, the plague village of Eyam and Dr. Barnardo's first poor school in the East End of London.
Behaviour Policy
Developed through discussion and in consultation with SIYT members, the fundamental principles are:
- All members will show respect for all other people; property; premises and equipment
- Mobile phones will be switched off during meetings and rehearsals
- There will be no eating during rehearsals or meetings, unless otherwise stipulated, water only will be permitted.
- Alcohol or Drugs are not permitted at any meeting or rehearsal.
- Members will only smoke outside and in compliance with the regulations of any premises that we are using.
- Smokers are expected to ensure that no litter is left behind
- Absence from a weekly meeting must be givenin advance personally or through the members Facebook page
Child Protection Policy
St Ives Youth Theatre (SIYT) is a non-profit making organisation and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and expects all adults involved with the company to share this commitment.
Training - All adults involved in working with children will receive relevant training on child protection issues including issues relating to children with disabilities. All adults will be aware of the policy and procedures for responding to suspicions or disclosures of abuse.
Protecting Children at Meetings and Performances - All adults working with children will be checked by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked and will work at all times in accordance with local authority guidelines.
Responding to Suspicions or Disclosures of Abuse - All suspicions and disclosures of abuse will be logged on the appropriate logging sheet and an objective record will be made as fully as possible including the names of any other person present at the time. The log sheet will be passed to the Designated Person for further action. Designated Person for Child Protection issues is Elizabeth Davis.
Informing Parents/Carers - The Designated Person must inform parents or legal carers if a suspicion of abuse is recorded, except where the local area Child Protection committee does not allow (usually in the case where the parent or legal carer is the likely abuser).
Confidentiality - All suspicions and disclosures will be kept confidential and shared only with those who need to know. The Designated Person will keep any records in a separate confidential file.
Licensing - St Ives Youth Theatre complies with the Regulations regarding the performance of children. Performance and Chaperones licenses are obtained through Cambridgeshire County Council.
Training - All adults involved in working with children will receive relevant training on child protection issues including issues relating to children with disabilities. All adults will be aware of the policy and procedures for responding to suspicions or disclosures of abuse.
Protecting Children at Meetings and Performances - All adults working with children will be checked by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checked and will work at all times in accordance with local authority guidelines.
Responding to Suspicions or Disclosures of Abuse - All suspicions and disclosures of abuse will be logged on the appropriate logging sheet and an objective record will be made as fully as possible including the names of any other person present at the time. The log sheet will be passed to the Designated Person for further action. Designated Person for Child Protection issues is Elizabeth Davis.
Informing Parents/Carers - The Designated Person must inform parents or legal carers if a suspicion of abuse is recorded, except where the local area Child Protection committee does not allow (usually in the case where the parent or legal carer is the likely abuser).
Confidentiality - All suspicions and disclosures will be kept confidential and shared only with those who need to know. The Designated Person will keep any records in a separate confidential file.
Licensing - St Ives Youth Theatre complies with the Regulations regarding the performance of children. Performance and Chaperones licenses are obtained through Cambridgeshire County Council.
Organisation
SIYT is a non-profit making organisation and is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of young people and expects all adults involved with the company to share this commitment.
An Annual General Meeting is held each year and nominations are invited for the Officers of SIYT. Officers are elected by the members of SIYT. The Management of SIYT is the responsibility of a committee who take responsibility for maintaining the reputation of the Youth Theatre. SIYT is not affiliated to any political or religious group, We are a secular and apolitical organisation open to all people in secondary education in Huntingdonshire regardless of beliefs, creed or social status.
St. Ives Youth Theatre is a registered charity (No. 1109377) and a registered corporation limited by guarantee (company registration No. 5402388) and complies with the Companies Act 1973 with it's Registered Office at Chapel House, Chapel Lane, St. Ives, Cambridgeshire PE27 5DX.
Contrary to popular belief, we receive no regular funding from local councils or government bodies. We receive no money or support from local schools. SIYT survives entirely on money generated by ticket and programme sales from productions and member subscriptions. We welcome any grant or donation that help our cause. How can I help? We are always in need of time, funding and enthusiasm - If you would like to be a show sponsor or can offer educational or theatrical tuition, please contact us.
An Annual General Meeting is held each year and nominations are invited for the Officers of SIYT. Officers are elected by the members of SIYT. The Management of SIYT is the responsibility of a committee who take responsibility for maintaining the reputation of the Youth Theatre. SIYT is not affiliated to any political or religious group, We are a secular and apolitical organisation open to all people in secondary education in Huntingdonshire regardless of beliefs, creed or social status.
St. Ives Youth Theatre is a registered charity (No. 1109377) and a registered corporation limited by guarantee (company registration No. 5402388) and complies with the Companies Act 1973 with it's Registered Office at Chapel House, Chapel Lane, St. Ives, Cambridgeshire PE27 5DX.
Contrary to popular belief, we receive no regular funding from local councils or government bodies. We receive no money or support from local schools. SIYT survives entirely on money generated by ticket and programme sales from productions and member subscriptions. We welcome any grant or donation that help our cause. How can I help? We are always in need of time, funding and enthusiasm - If you would like to be a show sponsor or can offer educational or theatrical tuition, please contact us.
I want to Complain!
I want to Complain! We ask that you don’t let an issue fester. If you have a genuine concern or a complaint, please raise this with the Session Leader at a weekly meeting or a rehearsal and we will do our best to resolve the situation. If you wish to raise a formal written complaint, please write to our Secretary.
