Our Mission

Our mission is to Engage, Enthuse, Educate, Enrich and Empower young people to pursue life with passion and purpose.

Our Approach

We adopt a holistic approach which seeks to simultaneously address the emotional, physical, spiritual, relational and intellectual needs in a young person’s life. We nurture and develop young people to become well-rounded individuals for Stage, Screen and Life.

Our Programme

At Young and Talented our programme uses these three disciplines of acting, singing and dancing to give students ‘Triple Talent’ training – coaching them to become well-rounded individuals on Stage, on Screen and in real Life.

Saturday triple talent programme offers a 3 hour rotation (1 hour Acting, 1 hour Singing, 1 hour Dance) as well as devising, song writing, script writing and story development, leading up to a full production in term 3.

Who We Are

Young and Talented is a theatre school with a difference. We embrace young people from all socio-economic backgrounds, religions and 41+ ethnicities, and provide them with high calibre coaching and opportunities.

As a social enterprise, Y&T has been nurturing and developing young people for stage and screen since 2004. We enrich the quality of our work and the opportunities we offer our young people through our association with professional theatre company – Pilot Theatre an award winning Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation.

Y&T are winners of BBC TV’s Sport Relief Does Glee Club 2012. BBC Performing Arts Fund 2014. Jack Petchey Crystal Award 2015, UK Recognition Award 2016. Showing that not only do our young people learn how to perform, they also learn how to succeed in life.

Our Team

Suzann McLean Robinson DIP, MA, PP

Founder & Director

Suzann trained at the prestigious Italia Conti Academy and has an MA in Professional Practice (directing and producing theatre for Social Change). In 2018 Suzann became the Artistic Director of Theatre Peckham. As an actress her credits include Good Omens, Dr. Who, Casualty, Bafta nominated Little Miss Jocelyn, Eastenders, The Honourable Woman and the BUPA for living commercial. In 2012 Suzann was selected as to carry the Olympic Flame in the Torch Relay in recognition for her work within the community.

Roy Alexander Weise

Associate Artists

Roy trained at Rose Bruford, he was the 19th annual winner of the James Menzies-Kitchin Award and directed his critically acclaimed, sell out production of The Mountaintop by Katori Hall at the Young Vic. In 2019 Roy became the joint Artistic Director of Manchester’s Royal Exchange Theatre. Theatre directing credits include: Nine Night (National Theatre & West End), The Trick (Bush Theatre and UK Tour); Dead Don’t Floss (National Theatre); Br’er Cotton (Theatre 503);

Catherine Palmer

Creative Director, Oxford House Branch

Catherine Palmer trained at the Brit School and has an MA from Queen Mary’s University. She is an artist, researcher and practitioner in participatory arts. She runs Y&T Rep Company and has directed performances at Soho Theatre, The Broadway Theatre, Barking, Limehouse Townhall and Rich Mix.

Darnell Shakespeare

Creative Director, Broadway Theatre Branch

Darnell Shakespeare is a facilitator, director and theatre maker. He is a International Theatre graduate from the University of East London & Columbia College Chicago. He is currently Young People’s producer at Theatre Royal Stratford East, Creative Learning Manager at Theatre Peckham as well being involved with many other projects that support & nurture young peoples journeys into the creative industries.

Jordan Xavier

Music Associate

Jordan has worked for a range of recording artists and directors including including Will (Chase&Status), Luke smith (George Michael). He won a scholarship to train at the prestigious Berkley School of Music in USA. Jordan currently writes and composes music for TV and radio, he has also played at numerous venues throughout London as a singer and a musician and also teaches music at Beulah junior school and Croydon Music & Arts.

Andreea Urzica

Company Development Coordinator

Andreea has an MA in Performing Art and Film. Performance credits include Chiriatiţa in “Titanic Vals”, Alina in “Spari mentali, la coca, il gangster e lo scrittore”. At Y&T Andreea works to build the profile of the company and supports the young people in their creative journey through life. Andreea also works as a Film adviser and language tutor for young performers and is the new client officer at Alphabet Kidz agency.

Patrons and Agency

Y&T collaborate with Alphabet Kidz Agency representing BAFTA award winners, one of UK’s leading agencies for young performers. Together we create opportunities for young people for professional work on stage and screen.

We welcome visits from casting directors.

We have found that confidence and self-esteem is the base from which to work from… not just for acting, but in all areas of life.

Agency Representation for Children, Teens & young Adults. TV, Film, Commercials, Voice Overs, Modelling and Theatre Bookings

John Byrne

Career advisor to The Stage newspaper and Young performer magazine. Media appearances include BBC TV, Radio, Nickelodeon TV and Sky News.

“Delighted to be in such distinguished company.”

Rochelle Gadd

Actress of stage and screen as seen in Hollyoaks, Tracey Beaker and The life and Times of Vivienne Vyle with Jennifer Saunders.

“Y&T is such an exciting school. I am happy to be associated.”

Bunmi Mojekwu

Actress from Eastenders playing the role of ‘Mercy’. Also stars in Misfits, Apples and Oranges, Second Chance Fallout and Gone Too Far.

“I love Y&T and I believe what you are doing for all the kids is amazing; giving them the opportunity to express themselves and develop their talent and also shaping them into responsible adults.”