The Hippodrome Youth Theatre (or HYT for short!)
Visit the HYT Website
The Hippodrome Youth Theatre is the youth section of Todmorden Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society. Formed in 1981 as T.O.Y.S., HYT is now one of the area’s largest youth theatre groups with over 100 members. We do everything from full scale musicals to contemporary drama and learning stage craft and production skills. We are split into two groups on age and perform all through the year. We’re not a club that does different dancing and singing workshops every week, we actually work towards staging a full production whilst learning about every aspect of theatre. At HYT we give our members the opportunity to experience putting on a full scale show in a real theatre with an audience. Nothing can compete with that!
Who can join HYT?
Any young person aged between 8 and 21 can join HYT. You do not need to have any previous experience of theatre, we just ask that you have a healthy interest in theatre and can offer commitment to HYT.
How often do they meet?
HYT is split by age into two groups:
The senior group, ages 11 -21, meet every Monday evening from 7.30pm to 9.30pm. The only change to this is during the run up to a production when it is normal to have meetings on more than one day. (Please note that senior HYT starts at Year 7 age).
HYT Juniors, ages 8 to 11, meet on alternate Sunday mornings during term time and present an end of year production every July.
What will it cost?
There is a cost to being in HYT and this covers things like insurance and equipment for rehearsals. It also contributes to the cost of running and using the Hippodrome Theatre. All our leaders and helpers are volunteers and do not get paid.
For the senior group the fee is £5 per month payable by monthly standing order. This amount also includes complimentary Membership of Todmorden Amateur Operatic and Dramatic Society. There are no additional charges although members are expected to provide small pieces of costume for shows, for example shoes and tights. Also if Youth members are then involved in other plays or shows within the season there will be no extra charge.
For HYT Juniors there is a fee of £1 payable at each get-together (bi-weekly). This covers the cost of materials used at rehearsals and workshops and the cost of providing a drink.
Members of both groups do have to purchase a t-shirt to wear at rehearsals but these are sold at almost the cost price and are very hardwearing. We believe in making youth theatre accessible to as many people as possible and believe that our fees represent very good value for money when compared to other similar groups or commercial activities such as dance classes.
Want to join?
New members are auditioned each year when spaces allow. To find out when the next auditions will be you need to put your details onto the waiting list. If you would like to put your name on the waiting list for the HYT section you can e-mail Helen at hmclarkson@aol.com or call her on 01706 839424. If you are interested in HYT Juniors then you can contact Gillian Winslow on 01706 816326. In both cases we need your name, address, date of birth and a contact telephone number.