Years 7–13 (ages 11-19) · Brighton, Hove, Preston Park, Hurstpierpoint
Growing together
through drama.
A weekly acting company for teenagers in Brighton, Hove, Preston Park and Hurstpierpoint. School years 7–13 (ages 11 - 19). Small companies with scripts and workshops tailored to each group by working directors in the profession. Every member is an artist in their own right, working in a rehearsal room where they can grow as people and performers.
First, what we’re not
Three things we’d like to clear up.
We’re not a stage school.
We don’t just give you 45 rushed minutes of a discipline switching between dancing, singing and acting as a box-ticking exercise. We focus on the acting. The character is at the heart of the dance and the song and the scene.
We’re not a star factory.
We can recommend agencies but we don’t make unfounded promises of Netflix shows and your child being ‘the next big star!’ The working actors are the ones who can do the work. That’s what we train at YAG.
We’re not babysitters.
Our directors are working actors, writers and theatre-makers. Our members are expected to turn up, work hard, play hard, grow together in their skills and their relationships, and bring respect to each other and the room.
The five things we actually train.
1
Make work. Devise, write, direct. Don’t just say someone else’s lines.
2
Hold a room. Voice, presence, listening. Be on stage with people, not just next to them.
3
Take a note. Receive direction, adjust, try again.
4
Read a text. Understand what a script is doing, not just what it says.
5
Belong to an ensemble. Show up for other people’s work, not just your own moment.
Find your group.
Years 7–10
Company
Building ensemble. Devising new work. Finding voice and finding character. Two hours a week, ten weeks a term, capped at sixteen actors per group. Each year ends with a show in a professional venue.
Explore Company →Years 11–13
Studio
For teenagers thinking seriously — about drama-school auditions, about LAMDA, about whether this is the thing. Direct your own work. Sharpen your monologues. Get coached on technique by people who’ve done the auditions you’re about to do.
Explore Studio →Why take a drama class?
From Google reviews · live feed
What people say.
Rebecca Bartoletti
2 years ago
My 13 year old daughter loves Yags It has given her a fantastic opportunity to act, with great tuition and such fun plays performed in a proper theatre. Highly recommend!
Phil Davis
3 years ago
My daughter has been attending the Young Actors Group for the last 4 years or so. In this time Aaron and his team have been amazing, and she has enjoyed every minute. The group activities, and projects (performance, creative and video) have increased her confidence and really allowed her imagination to shine. Highly recommended!
Emma Churchill
3 years ago
Amazing! Aaron has made Arthur (my son) welcome from the moment he walked throught the door. He's been going 18 months now and Monday is his favourite day because of Drama club.
His confidence has grown and he has learnt so much from the group - acting, writing, filiming.
So glad we found The Young Actors Group.
His confidence has grown and he has learnt so much from the group - acting, writing, filiming.
So glad we found The Young Actors Group.
Anna GS
3 years ago
one of the BEST clubs ive been to. genuinley could not recommend this group enough. i go to aaron tonks’s saturday advancers group in kemptown and it’s the highlight of my week every time! never a boring session, met so many friends through it too! joining YAG was the best decision i have made for myself, i really appreciate this company :)
W Watson
4 years ago
Summer highlights for me have been the wonderful Shakespeare weeks with the Young Actors Group. This year I played Malvolio in a circus themed Twelfth Night. It was amazing to work with director Luke and share his vision. He certainly helped stretch me. I also very much enjoyed Holly's Charleston dance.
Each year I very much look forward to reading Ben Murry-Watson's script, which always has some witty additions to the orginal. This year I had a lot of fun talking to myself in a mirror, completely failing to do handstands and cartwheels and chasing Malvolio's tricksters around the auditorium.
These productions really bring joy and fun to Shakespeare. Most people's introduction to Shakespeare is preparing for an exam, pouring over a text that was meant to be performed not read. To make a Harry Potter analogy: it is like comparing Umbridge's philosophy of education to actually being allowed to perform the magic of Shakespeare. And Brighton Open Air Theatre is such a special place to perform.
Each year I very much look forward to reading Ben Murry-Watson's script, which always has some witty additions to the orginal. This year I had a lot of fun talking to myself in a mirror, completely failing to do handstands and cartwheels and chasing Malvolio's tricksters around the auditorium.
These productions really bring joy and fun to Shakespeare. Most people's introduction to Shakespeare is preparing for an exam, pouring over a text that was meant to be performed not read. To make a Harry Potter analogy: it is like comparing Umbridge's philosophy of education to actually being allowed to perform the magic of Shakespeare. And Brighton Open Air Theatre is such a special place to perform.
Stephen Lowe Watson
4 years ago
Our young actor Wilfrid Watson has had a whole series of great experiences with Young Actors Group's summer Shakespeare productions at Brighton Open Air Theatre (BOAT). The YAG productions are friendly and a fun mix of Shakespeare and modern text with interpretations that really appeal to young people. Here is Wilfrid as Malvolio (Twelfth NIght 2022), Macbeth (2021), Caliban (The Tempest 2019), Charles King of France (Henry V 2018) and Hastings (Richard III 2017). The intensive week-long courses ending in a public performance at BOAT really instilled a love of Shakespeare in Wilfrid, who has gone on to tread the boards with the Shakespeare's Globe Young Company.
Paul Harvey
4 years ago
My 12 year old son attended the summer drama camp. They put on a amazingly polished performance of Twelfth Night at the Brighton Open Air Theatre after just a week of rehearsals. And my son loved it - no prodding him out of the door each morning.
Arlo Kearns
4 years ago
A little background on me first: I’m Arlo, I’m 17 years old and I use a wheelchair as I suffer from Cerabel Palsy.
I have just completed my first term at YAG and my first ever term of acting for that matter. I participate in Aaron Tonka’ Saturday evening class in Kemptown. From the moment that I walked into my first group, I felt right at home and I was blown away with the teaching, the inclusion and the overall posterity of the group. As a teenager living with a disability, I can find it hard to be included and involved but YAG has shown me that if I throw myself into something void of fear, I will reap the rewards.
Very highly recommend
I have just completed my first term at YAG and my first ever term of acting for that matter. I participate in Aaron Tonka’ Saturday evening class in Kemptown. From the moment that I walked into my first group, I felt right at home and I was blown away with the teaching, the inclusion and the overall posterity of the group. As a teenager living with a disability, I can find it hard to be included and involved but YAG has shown me that if I throw myself into something void of fear, I will reap the rewards.
Very highly recommend
Helen Peters
5 years ago
My daughter was warmly welcomed into the YAG Advancers Group and felt at home immediately, despite the other group members having worked together for some time. She has thoroughly enjoyed the sessions and always comes out in a great mood. She has enjoyed creating characters, improvising, and developing her comic acting skills. She is really happy in this group.
Mick Cooper
5 years ago
YAG do some amazing work with young people. My kids have all been in YAG for years and have learnt so much from it, both personally and in their dramatic work. Has been an integral part of their lives and such a valuable contribution to their growth into adulthood..
Andrea Mills
5 years ago
My daughter - 5 - absolutely LOVES this group. It’s the highlight of her week.
Helga Starup Williams
5 years ago
This acting group is just an amazing place. After trying a few more “commercial acting/drama clubs” we ended up here, and not looked back.
My daughter has come so far with her acting. The teachers are inspiring, but most of all they take it seriously. This has resulted in my daughter ending up with a scholarship in acting at a great secondary school. She loves this group, and it has helped her progress and have fun at the same time.
Big shout out to Luke who is a brilliant teacher. At this place the kids gets taken seriously, and it’s not just a money machine, small groups and loads of directions ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
My daughter has come so far with her acting. The teachers are inspiring, but most of all they take it seriously. This has resulted in my daughter ending up with a scholarship in acting at a great secondary school. She loves this group, and it has helped her progress and have fun at the same time.
Big shout out to Luke who is a brilliant teacher. At this place the kids gets taken seriously, and it’s not just a money machine, small groups and loads of directions ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Clare Levine
5 years ago
My daughter loves coming to the Sessions and has made lots of friends there. Everyone has been so friendly and welcoming and she is made to feel a valuable member of the group. Luke makes the sessions really good fun with warm up games to start so they are relaxed and happy. My daughter’s confidence in acting has really grown since she has been attending and she has really enjoyed taking part in the end of year play. We have tried out a few acting classes and this is the first one that she has truly enjoyed. The teaching is outstanding and everyone is valued and encouraged to be the best they can be. Very Highly recommended.
RJBA
6 years ago
Absolutely professional and incredible experience. Extremely talented teachers and outstanding lessons. Not only are the staff helpful but also kind. You will not regret signing up to YAG
Sarah Bullen
6 years ago
Hi ! My name is Helena and I am a 15 year old young actor. I joined YAG when I was 10 and have loved it ever since. The highlight of the year for me is our Shakespeare play which we perform at BOAT after a week of rehearsals. It's totally AMAZING and one of the best things about my summer holidays. We have just performed Midsummer Night's Dream and I loved every minute. Thank you Ben, Luke, Aaron and Holly, you're the best!
Suki Stephens
6 years ago
My son took part in the week long Summer camp, rehearsing and culminating in an outdoor performance at BOAT. Coming from a professional Theatrical background myself, I can honestly say I was blown away by the talent of the kids involved, the quality of the work, and how tight and well rehearsed they all were, in addition to how much they clearly were enjoying themselves. My son loved his week and will definitely be doing more with YAG at the earliest opportunity. They are a great team and really care about the young actors, bringing out the best in them.
Emma Davies
6 years ago
Both my children did 'Make a Movie' week with Aaron. They had a great time (and can sniff out a summer activity camp a mile off). When asked if they would do it again, there was no hesitation before they said yes. Thank you YAG.
rochelle Gosling
6 years ago
My son recently enjoyed a wonderful week-long workshop putting together The Greatest Showman. Holly was both inspirational and fun and, as a parent, I felt 100% confident that the children were in good hands, both with respect to Covid safety and with respect to learning and having fun. I would highly recommend YAG for both workshops and weekly courses.
Harriet Price
6 years ago
My daughter had a fabulous week doing Greatest Showman in a week. She came back each day inspired and very enthusiastic. It seems that each child's talents and abilities were drawn out in a very friendly and comfortable setting. She's come back with lots of new friends and a spring in her step. The organisation also followed Covid guidelines clearly and effectively. Thank you Young Actors Group!
Helen Pennington
6 years ago
My daughter attended a summer holiday workshops and loved every minute! Young Actors Group are a very friendly and welcoming group and made sure everyone had the chance to shine in the performance. Will definitely do more workshops with them!
Lisa Westbury
6 years ago
Ben, Holly and the team created a safe and thoroughly enjoyable experience for our children this summer holiday. They were sensitive to the COVID guidelines, whilst ensuring the children had fun and a much needed opportunity to express themselves through musical theatre. Their performance of the Greatest Showman was a real tear-jerker. Luckily my kids couldn't see much of the tears running down my cheeks!
Daniel Staniforth
6 years ago
I have been consistently impressed by the standards of show that this group puts on. The professionalism they are able to inculcate into their students and the end result are both excellent! The students really believe in what they're doing and to be having great fun while doing it, too!