Intermission Youth helps to transform disadvantaged young people living in deprivation and experiencing high levels of anti-social behaviour, family breakdown, dependency and criminality. We believe that constant support, nurture and care in a young person's life can give them the confidence and belief to make positive choices and change the course of their lives.
Intermission Youth Theatre was set up in 2008 when actor Darren Raymond was asked to become Artistic Director.
But the story actually started four years earlier, when Darren discovered Shakespeare’s Othello. Here was a character he recognised. Someone, like him, who was vulnerable, isolated, who needed to belong, to find out who he was. Someone who was black.
The combination of Shakespeare’s Othello and Darren being given a second chance by two strangers who believed in him, ignited in him a passion to do the same for others. To make a positive difference in the lives of young people. To raise their self-esteem and aspirations through the power of drama, theatre and Shakespeare. Why Shakespeare? Because the issues he wrote about 400 years ago remain as relevant to young people today: knife crime, gang warfare, postcode rivalry, rage, jealousy, betrayal.
Darren was invited to set up Intermission Youth Theatre at a theatre church in the heart of Knightsbridge, London, established by Bishop Rob and Janine Gillion as a safe, reflective and creative space for arts.
Starting with just 4 young people, IYT has seen more than one hundred and fifty 16-25 year olds from different nationalities, faiths and London boroughs take part in the 10-month Youth Theatre programme over the past eleven years.
The Youth Theatre has helped them grow in confidence and raise their aspirations, enabling them to apply to university, set up their own business and seek new job opportunities.
Many graduates have gone on to study at leading drama schools and performed with major national theatre companies including Shakespeare’s Globe, the National Theatre and the Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), as well as in TV, commercials and films.
In 2013 our community programme was established, taking our work into schools, pupil referral units, youth offenders teams and young offenders institutions. Since then, we’ve engaged with well over 7,000 young people across the UK. The team is made up of IYT graduates and current members who lead drama, theatre games and peer-to-peer conversations and workshops.
Due to the expansion of our programme, Intermission Youth has been established as an independent charitable company.
