Registered charity · Ages 4–22

Learning to shine on & off the stage

Hampshire’s Most Supportive and Innovative Youth Theatre.

Whether you're taking your first steps on stage or looking to develop your performance experience, our drama classes provide a fun, supportive environment where you can shine. 

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Why Light UP

Supportive Environment. Extraordinary Results.

No matter your age, background, or experience level, you'll find a warm welcome at Light UP.

  • Orange circle on a light background

    11+ years of reputation

    Since our first class of nine in 2014, thousands of young people have grown in confidence with us across Hampshire through our shows, classes and projects.

  • Solid yellow circle on a white background.

    A registered charity

    Exceptional value, with purpose. Funding subsidises what we do and the extra projects we can offer. Every penny goes into supporting our young people.

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    Extraordinary opportunities

    Our programme is varied and innovative giving young people the most amazing opportunities through workshops, shows and extra projects.

2014

Founded in Hamble

11+

Years in youth theatre

5

Hampshire venues

4-22

Ages welcomed

Find your class

A class for every age & stage

From classes to build confidence and social skills to classes which train the next generation of theatre makers, we have it all. Filter by age, type and location to find the perfect class for your child.

Explore our Classes
Explore our Classes

  • 4-11 years

    CLASS

    Imagination, games and fun. The joy of drama, and all its benefits ,with no pressure to perform.

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  • 7-18 years

    COMPANY

    Take your acting skills to the next level through exciting, imaginative, and varied performance experiences.

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  • 11-19 years

    ADVANCED

    For ambitious actors who are ready to challenge themselves with advanced acting exercises and projects.

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  • 14-22 years

    ENSEMBLE

    Edinburgh Fringe, NT connections and the pathway to professional work. Be part of something extraordinary.

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Our work

This is what sets us apart

Ambitious, diverse performance experiences that take young people into theatres, unexpected places and new creative worlds.

See all Projects
See all Projects
Projects
A Seussified Christmas Carol
A Seussified Christmas Carol
Read more →
Peter Pan the Pantomime!
Shows
Peter Pan the Pantomime!
Shows
Read more →
Shows
Musical Theatre Cabaret
Shows
Musical Theatre Cabaret
Shows
Read more →
Shows
The Secret Garden
Shows
The Secret Garden
Shows
Read more →
Shows 
WHAT’S ON?

Coming up sooN

All Events
All Events
  • Poster advertising an improv comedy club event presented by Light Up Youth Theatre. The background is a dark brick wall. Text includes the event name "Saturday Improv Club" with a neon style font, a speech bubble with "Ha Ha", and an illustration of a vintage microphone emitting lines of sound. The bottom section lists dates of the event in Atlanta and times from 1:30 to 3:00 pm at Maskers Studio Theatre, Shirley.

    Improv Club

    Your Saturday dose of Improv fun! PAYG Session.

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  • A promotional poster for an improv comedy club event presented by Light Up Youth Theatre. The poster has a dark green brick wall background with neon-style text reading "Saturday IMPROV Club". An illustration of a microphone with radiating lines is on the right side. The event dates are listed as AT1: 12/9, 26/9, 10/10, 24/10, and AT2: 7/11, 28/11, with TBC/12. The shows are from 1:30 to 3:00 PM at Maskers Studio Theatre, Shirley.

    Improv Club

    Your Saturday dose of Improve fun! PAYG Session.

    View Event
  • Chicago Teen Edition logo with a black background and gold-colored text.

    Chicago - Teen Edition

    Our first Teen Youth Project is coming to the stage - be part of the Razzle Dazzle!

    View Event
  • Chicago Teen Edition logo with black background and gold text

    Chicago - Teen Edition

    Get your tickets for the big show here.

    View Event

FROM OUR FAMILIES

Loved by parents & students

  • "Company class has been a huge joy in their lives since they joined Light UP. Thank you for all the wonderful opportunities and experiences over the past decade."

    ALI SUTTON

    Parent · Company

  • "Thank you for everything you have done to make Light UP a fun and joyful time for Carys. She has had some amazing experiences, made some friends and formed memories that will live with her forever. Thank you for your incredible enthusiasm and dedication. It’s people like you that make these things work so well." 

    WAYNE JONES

    Parent

  • “We just wanted to contact you and say a massive thank you for all the hard work that you have put into Dylan over the past few years. Since he has started he has grown in confidence so much and is able to speak in front of people really well. We have enjoyed many highlights from his time at Light UP; LAMDA, Narnia, The Fourth Wall, Campfire Creations and he now wants to go into law!”

    DAVID TALBOT

    Parent

Group of children and teenagers standing in a circle in a spacious room with wooden floors, while a woman plays a keyboard in the foreground. 
Community & outreach

Supporting schools and our community

We deliver workshops and projects in schools and for community groups, run funded wellbeing projects, and partner with organisations across Hampshire to make creativity a part of every young persons life.

  • School workshops & after school clubs

  • Funded wellbeing & SEND projects

  • Partnership & bespoke workshops

Work with Us

@lightupdrama

BRING A FRIEND WEEK IS HERE! 🎭❤️ Know someone who'd love to be part of Light UP? This is their week to come along! Whether they love performing, enjoy being creative or simply want to try something new, Bring a Friend Week is the perfect opportuni
WELCOME TO LIGHT UP! ❤️🎭 It’s been brilliant to see our Light UP community growing over the past few weeks, as familiar faces return and lots of new ones find their way through our doors. And we’re not done yet! Bring A Friend Week is
THROWBACK THURSDAY 🎭✨ Way back when, Chicago was the very first show for our Summer Youth Project… And now, all these years later, it’s making its return as the very first Light UP Teen Youth Project! ❤️ Some things change. The love
October half-term is not long away and we're excited to bring the Razzle Dazzle with our first ever TEEN YOUTH PROJECT! Welcoming members, alumni and non-members aged 14–19 of all experience levels to perform Chicago: High School Edition after
KNOW SOMEONE WHO’D LOVE LIGHT UP? 🎭❤️ There’s always room for one more. During the week beginning 28 September, our Company classes are opening their doors for Bring a Friend Week! Bring along someone who loves performing, making thin
After a full week of classes, its fair to say WE'RE BACK. ❤️ There’s something pretty special about the first week back at Light UP. The familiar faces. The favourite games. The places you know. The people you’ve missed. And that feeli

Ready to see your child shine?

Book a free trial class and come and see what we do — no pressure, no commitment.

Book a Trial Class
Explore our Classes