Miracle Theatre’s Young Company programme forms part of a 47-year commitment to training, mentoring and employing theatre professionals in Cornwall.

The company’s summer 2026 programme brought together 23 young people aged 8–16, giving them the opportunity to explore storytelling, improvisation, devising and performance alongside professional theatre-makers.

The programme follows a successful Young Company pilot supported by the Cornwall Community Foundation which ran in the early part of 2026. Miracle is now in the process of seeking backing to continue offering these opportunities to young people.

For Miracle, the Young Company is part of a much bigger picture.

For more than 47 years, the company has trained, mentored and encouraged theatre professionals, while providing employment and opportunities for artists to develop their careers in Cornwall. Miracle’s Co-Artistic Director Sally Crooks began her own relationship with the company through work experience many years ago.

Sally now oversees the Young Company alongside Hannah Stephens, Associate Director for Youth, helping to give a new generation of young people the kind of opportunity that helped shape her own career.

“Miracle has always believed in giving people an opportunity to find their place in theatre,” said Sarah Ferrie, Managing Director of Miracle Theatre. “It feels very special to be able to create those opportunities for young people interested in exploring theatre, the arts or creativity as a potential pathway.”

The summer youth programme introduced young people to the collaborative nature of professional theatre, with sessions covering storytelling, improvisation, devising, character and costume. As well as developing creative skills, participants had the opportunity to build confidence, communication, teamwork and problem-solving skills.

The response from families has been positive. One parent wrote to the team:
“Thank you for holding such a fun and inspiring drama group for young Miracle, they loved it!”

Miracle sees this work as an investment in Cornwall’s creative future. The company’s experience of developing theatre professionals demonstrates how early opportunities can become part of longer-term creative careers, helping artists to develop their skills and build sustainable careers without necessarily having to leave the county.

The Young Company extends that approach further down the pathway, introducing young people to professional theatre-makers and giving them an opportunity to discover what working in the creative industries can involve.