GLOBE YOUNG COMPANY
A company of young professionals in the making
Unleash your creativity. Refine your craft. Enter the world of professional theatre at Shakespeare’s Globe.
The Globe Young Company (GYC) is an intensive training and performance programme for aspiring actors and those interested in performance, aged 14-19. Each year, a new Company explores, rehearses and performs a reimagined Shakespeare play or a response to his work on one of the Globe’s iconic stages.
From August to October, participants work with a Globe Director, voice coaches and movement practitioners in weekly rehearsals and workshops. Together, the ensemble will build a show from the ground up, developing their acting, voice, movement and collaborative skills. The process mirrors that of a professional rehearsal room, giving young artists a real taste of working in theatre.
The GYC journey is immersive, challenging and enriching, culminating in three live performances on one of our world-renowned stages.
Interested in a weekly drama group for young people with a passion for theatre-making? Check out our Globe Youth Theatre.
DETAILS
TICKETS
£1,021
Bursaries for free and discounted places available
COURSE DATES
Monday 24 August – Saturday 17 October 2026
This course is on-site at Shakespeare’s Globe
Capacity 18 individuals per session
Part of Young People
Young actors performing in a Globe Young Company production of Cressida in 2025 c. Cesare Di Giglio
Young actors performing in a Globe Young Company production of Cressida in 2025 c. Cesare Di Giglio
How to apply
We’re excited to invite young people aged 14-19 to audition for the Globe Young Company 2026. If you are passionate about acting and would like to be part of the next GYC production, please complete the form below.
Those interested will be invited to an in-person audition at the Globe Education and Rehearsal Studios. Audition slots are 15 minutes long. At auditions we ask you to:
- Perform a Shakespeare speech (no longer than 2 minutes long)
- Be ready to try your speech in different ways, as requested by the Director, and be willing to improvise in pairs.
Whether you’ve been acting for years or this is your first audition, if you love theatre, we want to meet you.
Applications open in June 2026, but you can register your interest below and we will get in touch about the audition process. If your audition is successful, you must be available for all rehearsals and performance dates (see below).
What we're looking for
We’re not searching for finished professionals – we’re looking for potential, curiosity and courage. What matters most is your willingness to explore, your connection to the words, and your ability to listen and respond.
- Show us who you are. Be bold. Be truthful. Be yourself, not what you think we want to see.
- Let us hear your voice. What excites you about theatre? What draws you to Shakespeare?
- Understand what you’re saying. Performing Shakespeare is not about fancy language: it’s about communicating meaning. We want to see that you know what your character is thinking and feeling, and that you can communicate it clearly.
- Be ready to take direction. Good actors are good listeners. We may ask you to try your speech in a completely different way, so embrace it and see what happens.
- Be willing to play. There are no ‘perfect’ answers, just discoveries. Take risks. Be generous with your scene partners. Surprise us, and yourself.
Dates
Applicants must be available for all sessions.
Rehearsals:
- 24–29 August: intensive week (10.00am-4.00pm)
- 5 September (10.00am-4.00pm)
- 12 September (10.00am-4.00pm)
- 19 September (10.00am-4.00pm)
- 26 September (10.00am-4.00pm)
- 3 October (10.00am-4.00pm)
- 9 October: Dress Rehearsal (4.00pm-7.30pm)
Performances:
- 10 October (matinee and evening performances)
- 11 October (final performance)
Debrief:
- 17 October (times TBC)
Bursaries for free and discounted places
We are committed to making GYC accessible. A number of bursary places are available for those who meet any of the following criteria:
- The young person receives Free School Meals or is eligible for Pupil Premium.
- The young person is currently in care or a care leaver.
- One or both parents/carers receive Universal Credit.
- The young person (or their parent/carer) is currently seeking asylum in the UK.
- The young person is a young carer. A young carer is someone under 18 who provides unpaid care and support to a family member or friend with an illness, disability, mental health condition or substance misuse issue. This may include helping with cooking, cleaning, personal care, or offering emotional support.
- The family is experiencing financial hardship, and there is evidence that the young person would significantly benefit from joining GYT. This could include: improving social inclusion for someone at risk of marginalisation, supporting a young person’s mental health or helping to overcome significant barriers in education.
If you meet any of these criteria, please complete the interest form above and answer the relevant questions.
Testimonials
I’ve had great a professional experience working on the Globe stage! I worked with an experienced Director that has been in the industry for many years. I’ve met the most amazing people and will continue to stay in contact after GYC.
– Summar
It was amazing to make new friends and to be part of a professional show.
– Jove
I really enjoyed getting to really connect with my character through doing a longer play and building connections with other characters on stage. It was a really nice chance to get to know new people.
– Matilda
Thank you to our supporters
Globe Young Company would not be possible without the generosity of our remarkable donors. Their support enables us to offer bursaries to young people who might otherwise be unable to take part and helps us cover key costs of running the programme.
With heartfelt thanks to:
Diana Devlin
Margaret Casely-Hayford Award Fund
As a charity which receives no regular government funding, Shakespeare’s Globe is reliant on our supporters to help keep projects like Globe Youth Theatre alive. If you would be interested in supporting a young person with a bursary, or would like to find out about other ways to help, please contact the Development team on [email protected]
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