Rotherham’s young people invited to join bold new youth theatre ‘mash-up’

Young people from across Rotherham are invited to take over the Civic Theatre on Saturday 15 November for Cast Offs Creative Mash-Up – a new youth theatre festival celebrating Rotherham’s Children’s Capital of Culture.

Developed in collaboration with the Children’s Capital of Culture, the free one day event will fill the Civic with workshops, performances, and pizza-fuelled creativity. Open to anyone aged 16  – 24, the day is all about imagination, connection, and trying something new – no experience needed.

Participants can take part in two practical workshops: Recycled Rhythms with Tracks Music School, turning everyday objects into instruments, and Spoken Word & the Modern Machine with Chol, exploring voice, rhythm, and technology. The day will finish with an open mic and pizza social – a chance to perform, share ideas, and meet other young creatives.

The festival takes its inspiration from Cast Offs, Rotherham’s pioneering youth theatre that began over 20 years ago as part of Rotherham Youth Services. Known for its inclusive and ambitious approach, the original Cast Offs gave hundreds of young people the chance to create and perform original work – even taking productions to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Now, we are reigniting that same spirit through Cast Offs 2025, a new youth-led theatre project celebrating Rotherham’s rich history of creativity and reimagining it for a new generation.

In the lead up to the festival, Chol has been working with Winterhill Secondary School and Dalton Youth Group, exploring themes of identity, technology, and the future. As part of the day, we will share some of this early creative work and invite more young people aged 16 – 24 to join the new Cast Offs youth theatre company.

The company will meet every Wednesday evening, 5 – 8pm at Roar Theatre Space, Westgate, from Wednesday 5 November, working together for five weeks to co-create a brand-new performance exploring creation, connection, and the spaces where human and machine begin to blur. The show will be performed publicly on Saturday 6 December.

“This project gives Rotherham’s young people a platform to share their worries and wishes for how we can take care of our world,” says Carly-Ann Clarke, Theatre Director at Chol. “We’re celebrating the legacy of Cast Offs by creating new opportunities for young people to create theatre together, build confidence, and explore what creativity means to them today.”

“We want to open more doors for young people to get involved with local drama groups, and give them more opportunities to explore their creativity,” adds Sarah Christie, Programme Manager at Children’s Capital of Culture. “Cast Offs Creative Mash Up is perfect for anyone aged 16-214 who enjoys performing or just wants to try something new. No experience is needed, just enthusiasm and imagination!”

Cast Offs Creative Mash-Up runs from 10.45am to 3.30pm on Saturday 15 November at Rotherham Civic Theatre, with pizza and refreshments provided.

Click here to book your free ticket to the Creative Mash up festival day.

Click here to find out more of join the new Cast Offs youth theatre company.