Young Performers Institute

 

YPI is an exciting Theatre and Performing Arts company based within the Midlands, founded by Pete and Rachel Davis.

 

We work on a variety of levels – from classes educating young people in the different areas of both theatre and dance, the YPI Educational branch which offers a variety of services to schools within the Midlands area, and YPI Community which aims to provide a valued service within the care homes and hospitals of the local area.

 

Out of school time, the YPI offer a range of classes and groups, including dance, drama, singing, musical theatre, as well as running the Advanced Diploma in Performing Arts certificate.

As part of their own classes on evenings and Saturdays, the YPI have also had their members perform at local events such as Leamington Peace Festival, The Leamington Christmas Lights switch-on, and their own productions, such as ‘Forever and Always’ at the Priory Theatre in Kenilworth. They have also performed at Birmingham Hippodrome and the Olympia Stadium in London.

 

 

YPI Educational specialises in TIE (Theatre in Education) platforms, including workshops, lessons, short courses and the production of middle to large scale productions within youth centres, schools and through council initiatives.

Our aim is to bring the arts back to the streets and schools of Midlands, incorporating theatre, dance events, competitions and festival appearances together with a structured formal training programme for young people to achieve their potential as performers.

 

Since opening, the YPI have operated in a number of schools and colleges within the area, in a range of projects and activities, including:

Clinton Primary school – Dance classes, drama classes and productions of ‘Merry Christmas Tommy’, ‘The Three Musketeers’, 'Alice in Wonderland' and 'Pirates of the Currybean'

Kineton High School – Productions of ‘Grease’, ‘Will & Viola’ and ‘Oliver!’

Kenilworth School –GCSE and A level drama workshops and the productions of ‘West Side Story’ and 'Grease'

Dasset Primary school – Dance and Theatre classes and a combined project involving all the feeder Primary schools for Kineton High School.

Tysoe Primary School – after school clubs in drama and dance, and a school production of 'Alice in Wonderland'.

Gilberd School in Colchester – specialised intro to physical theatre and stage combat workshops.

 

 

YPI Community specialises in working with the staff and residents of local care homes and hospitals fusing together music, dance and drama to inspire the older adult to move, reminisce and converse. Classes strive to create a sense of community, increasing social interaction between residents through eye-contact, inclusion of each individual and opportunities for the group to share their experiences. 

We also can provide dance movement therapy sessions for those who are utilising local psychiatric facilities. Each session can help the patients feel relaxed and calm, as well as helping them manage and cope with the personal situations and problems and gives them the opportunity to express their feelings and emotions in a non-verbal context.

 

 

We believe that drama and dance help children and adults alike to develop personal, physical and social skills, through team-work, imagination and physical exercises and also offers an opportunity to experience literature, reading and movement in a new way, whilst in a friendly and supportive environment.