Chichester Festival Youth Theatre (CFYT)

Looking for a space where you can just be yourself and have fun?

Chichester Festival Youth Theatre is the place for you.

Our eight groups across West Sussex offer weekly sessions where you can discover skills you didn't know you had, make friends and "laugh until your sides hurt"* (*direct quote from a member).

All our CFYT groups are led by theatre industry professionals.

Already a member? Sign in here.

Where, when and how much?

Our weekly CFYT sessions are held in the following locations:

Monday to Saturday – Chichester* (*depending on age)

Monday – Midhurst

Tuesday – Bognor Regis & Worthing

Wednesday – Littlehampton & Horsham

Thursday – Portsmouth

Friday – Billingshurst

We have drama, dance, musical theatre, singing and technical theatre sessions to choose from, as well as groups for young people with additional needs (CFYT Wednesday in Horsham and CFYT Friday in Chichester). So pick the group that's right for you and join us!

CFYT Membership costs £80 per term - but it's important to note we have a range of bursaries to support those on low income, so cost should never be a barrier if you'd like to join.

Which group is for me?

Youth Theatre (Acting)

Explore devising, text work, voice exercises and working together as an ensemble. Each year group follows a skills training programme that will build year-on-year.

Youth Dance

Develop your movement, creativity and confidence across a variety of dance styles. Explore music theatre dance to street dance, contemporary to pop and commercial. Learn new techniques and bring your own style. No previous experience needed.

CFYT Singers

Raise your voice! Our youth choir is for anyone who enjoys singing or would like to be braver in using their voice, whilst exploring different styles of music. Whether you want to refine and develop vocal techniques, or just love to sing your heart out.

Tech Youth Theatre

Are you interested in backstage and technical roles? Learn about prop-making, stage management, lighting and sound. For ages Year 10+

CFYT Wednesdays (Horsham) and Fridays (Chichester)

Be your creative, brilliant self! Our dedicated groups for young people with additional needs teach theatre skills in a joyful and celebratory environment. For ages 16 - 25.

Musical Theatre

Explore different songs and choreography inspired by West End & Broadway musicals. These workshops include group singing and learning original dance moves.

Local Groups

We are proud to offer weekly Youth Theatre (Acting) groups where you are: Billingshurst, Bognor Regis, Chichester, Horsham, Littlehampton, Midhurst, Portsmouth and Worthing.

Joining CFYT

At CFYT we work with about 800 young people every week which means there aren't always places available in our groups. If you'd like to join CFYT, please fill out the CFYT expression of interest form at bottom of this webpage. We monitor this form regularly and as soon as there’s a space in your chosen group, we will invite you to join.

Please note: Our CFYT Starters group is extremely popular with lots of people keen to join. There is currently a predicted wait of about 18 months to join some of these groups.

If you identify as a young carer, young asylum seeker or someone who has struggled to gain access to theatre in the past, please email us directly at [email protected].

We look forward to hearing from you and hope to welcome you to the CFYT family very soon!

With thanks to Liz Juniper for supporting the Technical Youth Theatre and to all our amazing LEAP supporters who generously fund this work.