Croydon Youth Theatre Organisation

Croydon Youth Theatre Organisation (CYTO) is a British charitable organisation and youth theatre based at The Shoestring Theatre on Oakley Road in South Norwood, London. Established in 1965, it describes itself as the longest-running youth theatre in the London Borough of Croydon, and by its own account has been in service to young people for sixty years. Its core mission is to provide affordable and accessible opportunities for young people aged 6 to 19 to create live theatre performances that are fun, inclusive and relevant to their lives, while equipping them with employability skills such as self-management, problem-solving, teamwork, communication and self-belief. CYTO runs a year-round programme of weekly workshops and sessions grouped by age and interest. These include ACT ONE (ages 6–8) and ACT TWO (ages 9–11) for drama and acting; ACT THREE (ages 12–14) and ACT UP! (ages 15–19) for older age groups; CREW (ages 12–19) for production and technical theatre; WRITE UP (ages 12–19) for playwriting; FIX UP (ages 12–19) for refurbishing the venue; and a YOUTH BOARD (ages 12–19) focused on event planning and governance. The Young Company (ages 8–19) rehearses and performs full productions, such as 'Rapunzel & the Barbershop Bros'. Sessions are priced per term, with bursaries available, and new members can join at any point during a term. The organisation produces over six productions a year and offers members the chance to appear on stage as well as to work backstage in production, technical theatre and event planning. Its award-winning professional team delivers workshops in a 'brave environment' intended to encourage personal development and boost physical and mental well-being. CYTO also hires out its spaces — including a theatre, rehearsal rooms and a dance studio — to other groups, and welcomes volunteers to support its work with young people in Croydon. As a charitable organisation, CYTO is led by an Artistic Director, Andrew McPherson, supported by a Participation Coordinator, Yuxuan Liu, and a wider team of directors, facilitators, designers and front-of-house volunteers. In 2026 the organisation marked its 60th anniversary with a documentary screening, 'Once More with Feeling: A 60-year Story of CYTO', held at its South Norwood home. CYTO's activities are rooted in the diverse communities of Croydon, and it seeks partnerships with schools, youth organisations and community groups to promote appreciation for the arts.

Croydon Youth Theatre Organisation (CYTO) was established in 1965 and describes itself as the longest-running youth theatre in the London Borough of Croydon. The organisation has served young people for sixty years, providing those aged 6 to 19 with an innovative, youth-led programme of workshops in acting, production and technical theatre, producing and event planning, script writing and script-reading, and the chance to appear in over six productions a year. Its first advertisement, preserved on its website, marks the beginning of its public presence. Over the decades CYTO has built a reputation as a community-focused charity that uses theatre as a tool for personal development. Its award-winning professional team shares theatrical skills with members in a 'brave environment', encouraging personal development and boosting physical and mental well-being. The organisation states that these activities immensely enrich members' lives and the diverse communities from which they come, offering new experiences, employability skills and support networks. CYTO operates from The Shoestring Theatre on Oakley Road in South Norwood, London, where it runs a year-round programme of weekly sessions. These include ACT ONE (6–8 yrs), ACT TWO (9–11 yrs), ACT THREE (12–14 yrs), ACT UP! (15–19 yrs), CREW (12–19 yrs, production and technical theatre), WRITE UP (12–19 yrs, playwriting), FIX UP (12–19 yrs, refurbishing CYTO), and a YOUTH BOARD (12–19 yrs, event planning and meetings). The Young Company (8–19 yrs) rehearses and performs full productions, such as 'Rapunzel & the Barbershop Bros'. Sessions cost £60–£80 per term, with bursaries available, and new members can join at any point during a term. In 2026, CYTO celebrated its 60th anniversary with a documentary titled 'Once More with Feeling: A 60-year Story of CYTO'. A screening was scheduled for Sunday 4 October 2026 at The Shoestring Theatre, with a bar opening at 1:30 pm and the screening from 2:00 to 3:30 pm, followed by an afterparty. Tickets were priced from £5 to £12, with concessions for those in full-time education, under 18, on state pension, on low/no income, or receiving benefits, and a discounted rate for CYTO members. The organisation is led by Artistic Director Andrew McPherson and Participation Coordinator Yuxuan Liu, supported by directors, facilitators, designers and front-of-house volunteers. CYTO also hires out its spaces — a theatre, rehearsal rooms and a dance studio — to other groups, and welcomes volunteers to help change the lives of young people in Croydon. Its stated aims include providing affordable and accessible opportunities for young people to create live theatre; equipping them with employability skills such as self-management, problem-solving, teamwork, communication and self-belief; developing partnerships with schools, youth organisations and community groups; and being profoundly inclusive in all its practice, reflecting the communities it serves.

• 2026

  CYTO celebrates its 60th anniversary with the documentary 'Once More with Feeling: A 60-year Story of CYTO'.

• 1965

  Croydon Youth Theatre Organisation is established.

Affordable, inclusive, youth-led theatre training and performance for ages 6–19 in Croydon, with a focus on personal development, employability skills and community engagement.

• ACT ONE (6-8 yrs) – Drama and Acting

• ACT TWO (9-11 yrs) – Drama and Acting

• ACT THREE (12-14 yrs) – Drama and Acting

• ACT UP! (15-19 yrs) – Drama and Acting

• CREW (12-19 yrs) – Production and Technical Theatre

• WRITE UP (12-19 yrs) – Playwriting Workshops

• FIX UP (12-19 yrs) – Refurbishing CYTO

• YOUTH BOARD (12-19 yrs) – Event Planning & Youth Board Meetings

• YOUNG COMPANY (8-19 yrs) – Rehearsals and Performance

1. 1Drama | Croydon Youth Theatre | Londoncyto.org.uk
2. 2Drama | England | Croydon Youth Theatrecyto.org.uk
3. 3Documentary Screening: 'Once More with Feeling: A 60-year Story of CYTO' | croydonyouththeatrecyto.org.uk
4. 4Croydon Youth Theatre Organisationwikidata.org