EIGHT months of projects are in place at Upstage Centre Youth Theatre as co-artistic directors Joshua Goodman and Matt Harper set in motion their strategy for a prosperous artistic future at 41 Monkgate, York.

Rehearsals are underway for the first two productions of the year: Joshua directing the 14 to 21 age group in George Orwell's Animal Farm and Matt overseeing the eight to 13-year-old junior team in Dick King-Smith's Babe, The Sheep-Pig, both to be staged at Upstage from May 8 to 10.

In addition, Upstage is working in tandem with schools, offering free workshops to all ages, from primary school up to A-levels. "We go out to the schools," says Joshua. "We've worked with Tang Hall Primary, Wigginton Primary and Millthorpe School, and part of our agenda is that we hope some of the children will then come and do our projects, but that's not the main aim, which is to provide classes where drama isn't part of the curriculum."

Upstage also runs Dance Lab, the youth theatre's resident youth dance company for eight to 21 year olds with training in 12-week blocks on Thursdays from 5.30pm to 7.30pm for participation in Upstage shows and performances at events, festivals and on the street.

Looking ahead, further productions in the pipeline are the Musical In A Week, The Wizard Of Oz, a project for the eight to 18 age group from May 25 to 31; and the fifth annual Shakespeare masterclass fortnight, Twelfth Night, for 14 to 21 year olds from July 27 to August 8, with places allocated on a first-come, first-registered basis from May 4.

"Going forward, we want to diversify the participation in our projects," says Joshua, "We want to work with people from a broader range of economic and social backgrounds; differing cultural, ethical and religious backgrounds; and we'd like to work with young people who are LGBT. We're also looking to set up a drama group for young people with learning difficulties."

Upstage has launched GrownUpstage, a "massive project" that will cost in excess of £20,000 to run and already has been bolstered by £15,000 in Grants For The Arts funding from Arts Council England.

"Phase One in underway: a city-wide research project where we hope to work with around 100 young people aged from 18 to 25 and major partners from all over the city," says Joshua. "In this first phase, we're working specifically working very closely with 'harder-to-reach' young people, working very closely with City of York Council to set up workshops with groups including young offenders; young people accessing mental health services; young refugees and asylum seekers; and the NEET (Not In Education, Employment Or Training] Cohort, basically kids who aren't in school or don't have a job.

"They're young people facing multiple and complex disadvantages, who we've identified as not being likely to knock on our door."

From these workshops, Phase Two will emerge, involving 12 young actors joining Upstage's training company and attending Leeds Festival at Bramham Park in August as part of an extended research and performance project.

For more information on GrownUpstage, or to register for a workshop, contact joshua.goodman@upstagecentre.org.uk