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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 23/10/2025

Today I did a presentation for 50 relationship managers at the Arts Council about that often overused and misunderstood phrase, 'youth voice'. (I figured they probably spent too much of their time looking at powerpoint presentations, so I did my slides in felt tip pen instead.)

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 25/06/2025

Joyful day in Liverpool at @liveveryplay.bsky.social - training some of their brilliant artists.

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 19/05/2025

So, if you're a theatre-maker, an educator, an artist, a campaigner, a parent, a youth worker, a policy-maker or anyone with an interest in deep, thoughtful and meaningful collaborative practice - come and join my next courses. www.nedglasier.com/training

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 19/05/2025

This course had more people than ever from outside of theatre, a hopeful sign that the practice I've developed over many, many years has application way beyond the art form it emerged from.

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 19/05/2025

A beautiful three days thinking about co-creation, devising, leadership and collaborative practice with these excellent people. Every course I run I learn something new from the people who come along.

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 30/04/2025

I'm excited to announce three new courses - booking now! Co-Creation with Young People and Communities, in September and November. Co-Creation: Stage 2, for anyone who's done my first course and wants to go deeper, in July. Book now - they're already selling fast. www.nedglasier.com/training

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 31/03/2025

Spent three days deep-thinking co-creation, play-making, young people, artistry and lots more with this generous, sharp, kind and inspiring group of people. Three places left for my next course in May - www.nedglasier.com/training

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 06/03/2025

Right friends, due to popular demand I’ve scheduled another Co-Creation course in May. On sale now and 6 places gone already. Book now at www.nedglasier.com/training

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 25/02/2025

I’ve had some people ask if I can run a 2/3 day co-creation day in mid May (14th - 16th). It’s quite short notice so I’m testing the water - if anyone would like this to happen, please sign up here and I’ll confirm soon if we’ve got the numbers or not. docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 22/01/2025

50% of the places for this have now gone. Co-creation with young people and communities course - 26-28 March Pay what you can Full of joy (and biscuits) Please repost! nedglasier.com/courses/co-c...

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 15/01/2025

Things youth theatre leaders say Read more at nedglasier.com/census

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 11/01/2025

Read more at nedglasier.com/census

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 10/01/2025

Yes it is. Read more here: nedglasier.com/census

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 10/01/2025

Two new courses already selling well. Pay what you can and full of joy. nedglasier.com/training

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 08/01/2025

NEW COURSES! Read what past attendees have said about my co-creation courses and get booking now. It’s pay what you can for individuals and they’re likely to sell out. www.nedglasier.com/training

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 08/01/2025

Here are some things that youth theatre leaders told us.

Youth Theatre Leaders told us
“It is a struggle to balance the books in our current structure, as room hire, bursaries and staff wipe out funds each term and we always worry that we won't make ends meet.”
Read our report at bit.ly/youththeatrecensus

Youth Theatre Leaders told us
“Running a youth theatre is the most rewarding thing I do. It is also painfully without recognition or celebration.”
Read our report at bit.ly/youththeatrecensus

Youth Theatre Leaders told us
“We are finding it tough to keep paid spaces to an affordable cost and also offering bursary places and also paying our freelancers fairly. We can't cover our costs and are always looking for external funding.”
Read our report at bit.ly/youththeatrecensus

Youth Theatre Leaders told us
“The challenges young people face now and the pressures on them mean that youth theatre is more important than ever.”
Read our report at bit.ly/youththeatrecensus

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 08/01/2025

In short - youth theatre is brilliant, and important ... but not sustainable. Youth Theatre is essential for young people, for communities and for the theatre industry. It’s too important to be a passion project, propped up by free labour and goodwill.

Youth Theatre in England is a critical part of our cultural ecosystem.
Read our report at bit.ly/youththeatrecensus

Such an important national activity should be more than just a passion project, held together by unpaid work and goodwill.
Read our report at bit.ly/youththeatrecensus

We’re calling for a new national strategy for youth theatre in England, to transform our sector forever.
Read our report at bit.ly/youththeatrecensus

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 08/01/2025

5. Youth Theatre leaders are struggling. Unsurprisingly, youth theatre leaders are struggling to deliver work on small budgets and in the face of widespread economic and mental health challenges. They feel exhausted and isolated, with many running their groups as freelancers or even volunteers.

Youth Theatre leaders are struggling
Youth Theatres rely on volunteers and freelancers
Many youth theatre leaders feel isolated
Rates of pay vary regionally
Read our report at bit.ly/youththeatrecensus

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 08/01/2025

4. Youth Theatre needs to be more accessible. Only 20% are completely free. Only half have policies to ensure access for Disabled young people. 16% don’t have a policy around equity.

Youth Theatre is not accessible enough
Only 22% of youth theatres collect demographic data
80% charge for their activities
29% say disability and access are key training needs
Read our report at bit.ly/youththeatrecensus

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 08/01/2025

3. Youth Theatre is meeting complex needs. The money youth theatre does have needs to go further than ever because so many youth services don’t exist any more. Youth Theatre is filling the gap - providing support for young people around mental health, the cost of living and more.

Youth Theatre is meeting complex needs
Youth Theatres provide a wide range of pastoral support
Cost of living and young people's mental health are key challenges
Some do not have the right policies in place
Read our report at bit.ly/youththeatrecensus

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 08/01/2025

2. Youth Theatre is underfunded. A total turnover of £23m sounds a lot, but that works out at just £231 per participant per year. 31% of youth theatres survive on less than £10k and 34% are solely reliant on one source of income (normally fees).

Youth Theatre is underfunded
Average spend of £200 per participant per year
31% of youth theatres survive on less than £10k
34% of youth theatres rely on one source of income
London gets nearly 50% of all income
Read our report at bit.ly/youththeatrecensus

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 08/01/2025

1. Youth Theatre is big. It works with more than 100,000 young people, and is run by more than 9,000 salaried staff, freelancers, volunteers and trustees. It reaches a total audience of more than 470,000 people.

Youth Theatre is big
414 youth theatres
100,883 young people
9,000+ salaried staff, freelancers and volunteers
470k audience members
Read our report at bit.ly/youththeatrecensus

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 08/01/2025

Today we launch the Youth Theatre Census report - a summary of everything we learnt from the Youth Theatre Census last summer. If you care about youth arts, it’s one of the most important things you’ll read this year. Download it here: bit.ly/youththeatrecensus Or read on for more.

Youth theatre is important, transformative, vibrant … and fragile.
The youth theatre census. Read the report at bit.ly/youththeatrecensus

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 20/12/2024

Been collecting quotes about youth theatre this week. This is, by far, my favourite.

“Drama makes my belly flutter magically”
- Alfred.

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 19/12/2024

I honestly don’t think there’s an arts building where I feel as happy and comfortable as this one.

A shot of the bar looking out to the foyer at Battersea Arts Centre. Brown sofa, comfy chairs, lightbulbs hanging down.

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 18/12/2024

Outside a primary school in north London. Isn’t it sad that I can’t imagine a secondary school ever displaying words like this outside their gates. Why is that?

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 10/12/2024

Anyone need a lo-fi indie album cover?

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 09/12/2024

Penultimate work trip of the year. Super excited to be heading to Scotland for two days of training with the immeasurably generous and thoughtful Shotput theatre. Before that a day of thinking with the courageous and inspiring Stellar Quines in their new Kirkcaldy base.

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 28/11/2024

Beautiful two days with @alphabettitheatre.bsky.social helping their kind, passionate team think about vision and mission. Feel very inspired by this powerhouse fringe theatre and loved pretending to work there for 48 hours.

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Ned Glasier @nedglasier.com · 19/11/2024

There is no better kids tv theme tune than Jo Jo & Gran Gran. Fight me.

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