Young People's Theatre

Young People's Theatre (YPT) is the largest Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) company in Canada and a significant institution in the Canadian professional theatre community. Over our 48-year history we have produced many of the most important works that now form the canon of plays for young audiences in this country. Learning is at the centre of everything we do and YPT is renowned as the showplace for presenting important TYA work developed elsewhere. In addition to being a producer and presenter of theatre, YPT has also been home to a year-round Drama School for youth since 1969. At the centre of YPT’s artistic policy is a desire to have a positive and lasting impact on the emotional, social, and intellectual development of young people in order for them to grow into the unique and wonderful people they were born to be. At YPT we also believe that the more challenging, the more hostile, the more ‘isolated within-the-crowd’ our world becomes, the more we need art to help us interpret the universe, connect with each other, and imagine a better future. If adults need this, kids need it more. The aesthetic vision for YPT is one where three streams of performance are given importance. Firstly, the classics of children's literature from around the world offer children membership in an ancient childhood, renewing in them the images and inspirations of our own lives as children. Secondly, contemporary works and vigorous new Canadian play development ensure continuing relevance to the real lives of kids. Finally, the Drama School creates theatre for youth by youth.