New Youth Theatre Franchise
About Us
New Youth Theatre is an established and successful youth theatre Franchise business with its Head Office based in Lincoln.
The directors, Jason Ashworth and Rachel Ashworth-Jerem have enjoyed long and successful careers in music and the arts.
Rachel and Jason have facilitated many classes for youngsters in schools and other local projects and had always found that this was a restricted setting. After listening to feedback from the children saying that they wanting to perform onstage, they decided to start a youth theatre that focused on a performance every term. This allows the children to focus on a goal and always have the next performance to look forward to.
As Rachel and Jason were already working in their local community, the opportunities to increase access to the arts and encourage equal opportunities for all were at the heart of their commitment to start New Youth Theatre. It is important to invest in the creative talents of individuals and encourage children to express that through singing, dancing and drama.
Live theatre productions generate excitement, enthusiasm and anticipation for all involved. Everyone looks forward to rehearsals and performances and to new learning opportunities. The live performances are an opportunity for the community of parents, children and members of the public to enjoy an evening of high quality entertainment.
Here is an introduction to key people in the business.
Rachel Jerem - Artistic Director & Choreographer
- Technical support for directing, choreography, lighting & production management.
- Costume management.
- Responsible for Sales and Marketing.
- Recruitment and Training of franchisees.
- BA Hons (Drama) Bishop Grosseteste College, Lincoln.
- Certificate in Drama & Theatre Studies Hull University.
- Worked for major Theatre & TV companies including the BBC, Yorkshire Television and Granada.
- Employed in may roles as Choreographer, Stage Manager and Actor.
- Joint Director of New Youth Theatre Ltd.
Jason Ashworth - Musical Director
- Strategic business development.
- Production music and sound.
- Responsible for Sales and Marketing.
- Recruitment and Training of franchisees.
- Diploma in Jazz and Contemporary Music at Leeds College of Music.
- Wrote for Peak Practice & children's programme 'Mad for it'.
- Worked as Theatre Music Director for numerous touring shows such as Godspell, Little Shop of Horrors.
- Band leader of the Memphis Belle Orchestra.
- Session pianist on the film 'The Bachelor'.
- Joint Director of New Youth Theatre Ltd.
Paul Cobb - Technical Manager
- Ongoing Website design, maintenance and SEO.
- Technical Support.
- Photography.
- Stage Management, lighting & sound technician.
- Artwork and Marketing Design.
- Freelance website designer and manager specialising in custom website, blog and CMS design for businesses, non-profit and personal/non-commercial clients.
- Professional Photographer specialising in the Performing Arts.
- Practical experience in all disciplines of theatre, including Set Design, Stage Management, Sound & Lighting Design in addition to Acting & Direction.
- Worked extensively with theatre companies in Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire as both Actor and Director.
- Appeared in and directed a total of more than 60 shows.
- Joined NYT in 2003.
Christine Spencer - Wardrobe Supervisor
- Costume management.
- Costume Design & making.
- Organising Costume Plots for Productions.
- Backstage organisation.
- Studied OND in Hotel and Catering Management at Nottingham.
- Seamstress for Adidas UK – worked for the past 8 years, altering Performance Sportswear for Elite Athletes, at many major events including the Olympics and Paralympics.
- Designed and sewn costumes for many Musical Theatre Productions including 'Jesus Christ Superstar' and 'Beauty and the Beast'.
- City and Guilds Medal of Excellence in Sugarcraft Award in 2008 - for achievements in designing and producing outstanding work in this art form.
- Joined NYT in 2008 as Costume Supervisor.