Celbridge Youth Drama is an entirely voluntary organisation founded in 2002. Since its first session, CYD has provided a creative and social space for young people to meet and express themselves through the medium of drama. CYD aims to bring in young people who have interest in any aspect of drama, not simply performing. CYD strives to build talents in all areas of theatre and does so by providing workshops on different aspects of theatre while making it as fun as possible.

Explore Youth Theatre is a voluntary, non-profit organisation based in Leixlip, North Kildare, for young people aged 14+. EYT encourages members to explore their creativity in a safe, friendly environment, to develop social and personal skills through professionally facilitated workshops in various aspects of theatre, and to encourage teamwork and responsibility by providing opportunities in directing, sound, and set design. In November 2019, EYT was awarded the Youth Theatre Prize and the Best Actor Award at Insight Theatre’s One-Act Festival.

At Griese Youth Theatre, the approach is a holistic one that nurtures both the artistic and social development of the young person. Following a proposal by founder Leish Burke and artist Jacques Candelay put to Kildare County Council Library Services and Action South Kildare to provide a complimentary learning experience for local young people through the medium of art and drama, Griese Youth Theatre (named after the local river) began in July 1999 in the Meeting House in Ballitore village as a week-long art and drama workshop. Over the past 20+ years, GYT has grown to offer over 100 members, aged 6 to 20, weekly drama workshops. GYT has performed both nationally and abroad and have been fortunate to work with many of Ireland’s leading theatre practitioners. Other activities offered to members include workshops in scriptwriting, dance, art, yoga, participation in street theatre, local festivals, programmes with other youth theatres, training for young leaders, Youth Initiative projects and Youth Exchanges.

Established in 1996 by Peter Hussey of Crooked House Theatre, Kildare Youth Theatre is a large, multi-award-winning project based in Newbridge with a history of presenting ambitious work. Using Crooked House’s wide network of connections, and the EU’s Erasmus+ programme, young people collaborate with several European youth theatre-making projects a year. KYT stages classical and new plays, supporting young people to audition for third level actor training programmes. It is free of charge and open to all aged 11 to 24, maintaining 5 year-round ensembles who engage full-time in multiple projects for up to 6 years each. It is supported annually by Kildare County Council and receives project funding from the Arts Council.

PlayActing Youth Theatre is a voluntary organisation established to create quality theatre experiences for young people aged 12 to 19 years who are passionate about performance.  PYT believes that creative engagement can support learning and nurture competent global citizens of the future. PYT offers weekly workshops in Celbridge Youth Café.  Each year has a theme, and PlayActing members have explored theatre for advocacy, for developing a sense of community, and for raising awareness of the sustainable development goals in the past.  PYT also participates in the National Theatre Connections programme, and their annual trip to Belfast is a highlight of the year.  To see PYT in action, please visit their YouTube channel here.