Bush Young Companies

group of young people on stage practicing at Bush, the teacher is stood at the front facing the group.

We deliver two Young Companies with local young people.

Founded during the disruption of the pandemic, our Young Companies have become central to everything we do, reflecting our commitment to local life and developing the next generation of artists. Both Young Companies are free for young people.

The groups are for storytellers, particularly for people who might not know they are one yet. Workshops take place weekly at the Bush and provide opportunities to develop your skills with the Bush team, build your creative networks and work alongside experienced artists to make work for our stage.

Our 2025-27 cohort is now at capacity. Applications for the 2027-29 18-25 cohort will open in Spring 2027. Please contact community@bushtheatre.co.uk for further information.

group of people on stage lit up purple, one person is stood closer to the front of the stage looking concerned.
‘If we want our work to be truly inclusive, we need brilliantly diverse creatives working across a spectrum of roles. The work of our Community department ensures that the future of the industry is bright, both on and off stage.’

– Taio Lawson, Bush Theatre Artistic Director

14-17 Bush Young Company

We deliver weekly theatre-making workshops which explore storytelling, acting for stage, creative writing, and different roles in the theatre industry.

The 14-17 Young Company have so far performed four shows on our main stage.

  • Back Up! (2021), created by the Company and Katie Greenall
  • HORIZON (2022), written by Kwame Owusu, directed by Abigail Sol
  • Pass It On (2023), created by the Company and Katie Greenall
  • The End (2024) written by Jasmin Mandi-Ghomi, directed by Neetu Singh
  • PAUSE/REWIND (2025) created by the Company and Jordi M. Carter, directed by Jordi M.Carter
14-17 Bush Young Company participants stood on stage wearing all cream outfits in front of a yellow backdrop.
18-25 Bush Young Company members on stage facing away from the camera with their hands in the air.

18-25 Bush Young Company

In 2023, we welcomed our second cohort of 18 – 25 year olds to our Bush Young Company. The Company created two incredible productions, performed on our main stage in the Holloway Theatre.

  • COMMUNION (2024) devised by the company with director Katie Greenall.
  • MAKE ME FEEL (2025) written by Will Jackson, directed by Katie Greenall.
A group of people in the Bush Theatre Young company performing a dance piece.

In 2021, we welcomed our first group of 18-25 year olds. The first ever 18-25 Bush Young Company created two incredible productions, performed on our main stage in the Holloway Theatre.

  • ANTHEM (2022) devised by the company with director Katie Greenall
  • As We Face The Sun (2023), written by Kit Withington and co-directed by Lynette Linton and Katie Greenall

Meet our directors

Two Directors have joined the Bush team to oversee the direction of Bush Young Company (BYC).  

Bashiie Baptiste leads the 14-17 Young Company. Bashiie is a director, producer, and artist, specialising in artists’ development. Recently, she was the Assistant Director on Pause/Rewind at Bush Theatre, understudy assistant on Marie and Rosetta (West End), and is currently directing a Mulberry House show for the Edinburgh Fringe. As the Artistic Director of Care to Culture C.I.C., Bashiie works with care-experienced young people and those without a primary caregiver, offering paid training, learning, and development opportunities to Care-Experienced Artists across London.

Amber Ruby leads the 18-25 Young Company. They were recently the Resident Director of Dracula at the Noël Coward Theatre, the Resident Director of the UK and International Tour of Six: The Musical, and an Associate Artist at Company Three. As Associate / Assistant Director, their work includes Witness for the Prosecution (County Hall, West End), Alice in Wonderland (Brixton House), Red Pitch (@SohoPlace), When This Is Over (Company Three, The Yard), Groove (Shoreditch Town Hall), Black Is (Company Three, New Diorama), and Athena (The Yard). As Director, their work includes Grow Up (Company Three, Park), The Body Remembers (The Albany), and Spores (The BRIT School / New Diorama Theatre).

“This is my first year at BYC and I have grown in self-confidence hugely. I have more trust in myself and my ideas and have also developed my skills. Everyone at Bush is so genuine and it really encourages me to be the best version of myself.”

– Tabby, BYC member

Bloom Bursary

Every two years, outgoing members of the 18-25 Bush Young Company are able to apply for our Bloom Bursary.

The Bloom Bursary is a £750 award, alongside mentorship from the Bush’s artistic team, for developing writers. It is part of the Bush’s ongoing commitment to their artistic development, and secures the legacy of the Young Companies.

2023 cohort: Maymuna Abdi, Sara Dawood, Maryam Garad, Kerrica Kendall, Jonny Khan and James Walsh
2025 cohort: Alfie O’Sullivan-Neill, Daud Xiddig, Yemi Yohannes, Dejuan Desiree, Natalia Choudhary, Josie Dixey Watson

The Bloom Bursary is made possible with generous funding from John Lyon’s Charity.

Meet the 2025 cohort

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