Theatre For Youth and Community 2005

In September 1992, Alvin Tan, Artistic Director of The Necessary Stage, established the Theatre For Youth Branch. The Branch was re-named Theatre for Youth and Community in 2002, our 10th anniversary year.

The aims of our Youth Drama Programmes are to:

• expose young people to theatre
• create a space for artistic expression by and for young people
• cultivate the aesthetic sensibilities of young people
• explore themes and issues relevant to young people in Singapore

We believe that theatre must grow out of the community and therefore pay close attention to issues that concern young people and educators. Our programmes develop from research, careful planning and consultation. The concern that students should benefit fully has led us to develop programmes that are relevant to the needs, and are issues faced by students, involve theoretical and hands-on learning; and cultivate students' life-skills and contribute towards their personal development.

We also believe strongly in, and welcome, partnerships with other sectors in society to achieve holistic outcomes for our programmes. The school's curriculum and directions in education are also taken into consideration when planning our programmes.

We believe strongly that Theatre is not meant to be simply a high-brow affair for the wealthy and intellectual. It is a language that each of us have the right to learn and speak, in order to find release, and to make meaning of our world.