Chichester Festival Youth Theatre at 40
Support usChichester Festival Youth Theatre at 40
For 40 years, Chichester Festival Youth Theatre (affectionately known as CFYT) has been offering young people the chance express themselves and learn vital skills through drama, dance, singing, musical theatre, and technical theatre.
We believe that every young person deserves these creative opportunities. With the support of generous people like you, CFYT can continue igniting young people's creativity for another 40 years. Every gift makes a real difference - thank you!
I joined CFYT just after I came here from Ukraine. It really helped me with learning English and with my confidence and speaking
Current CFYT member
You can make the world of difference for a young person
From small beginnings in 1985, CFYT has grown to become the largest weekly venue-based youth theatre in the country! In its 40th year, CFYT will reach more young people than ever before:
- We’ll welcome 850+ young people from across Hampshire and West Sussex to weekly CFYT workshops led by skilled theatre professionals
- We’ll make sure every young person can take part by providing 180 bursaries, dedicated workshops for those with additional needs and tailored theatre experiences for young carers and young unaccompanied refugees
- Our specialist Technical Youth Theatre strand will offer opportunities to explore lighting, sound, set design, prop making and other backstage roles
- All CFYT members will have their time in the spotlight at our annual scratch nights
- CFYT will perform their very own professionally staged show - A Boy Called Christmas
CFYT costs £283,000 every year to run. It costs £80 a term to join, far lower than the cost of running CFYT, and 21% of young people receive a bursary so it’s completely free for them to take part. This leaves £146,000 that we need to raise from generous people like you.
Donate today
£10 could pay for a script for a workshop
£20 could buy a ticket for a young carer to see our summer musical
£40 could pay for a theatre professional to lead a workshop
£100 could offer one-to-one creative therapy to a CFYT member
£400 could support a four-term bursary place
Choose your donation amount
The sessions have been absolutely brilliant for my home-schooled and very shy daughter. They have literally transformed her week. She thoroughly enjoys them, has learned a lot, has made new friends and feels safe and happy. We couldn’t ask for more
Parent of a bursary member
Youth Theatre gave me everything, to be honest. It was an incredible experience. It was my training. It got me my first professional job which was with Running Wild.
Romina Hytten, Lead Puppeteer and Olivier Award-winner, Life of Pi
Being at Youth Theatre really brings you out of your shell. I was really shy but CFYT made me feel so comfortable and I could just be myself and have fun
Current CFYT member
Events supporting the Appeal
CFYT Christmas Gala: A Boy Called Christmas
