A successful youth theatre group has emerged from lockdown to prepare for a summer workshop which will see them create and perform a production in a week.

Dorchester Youth Theatre remained active during lockdown taking part in more than 120 Zoom sessions, which involved collaborations with other youth theatres in the UK.

Now the group is gearing up for its summer project SummerMT@DYT, with music, drama and movement.

As usual the aim for the week is to give everyone an opportunity to perform, try new skills, build friendship, and most of all to have fun.

DYT artistic director, Jo Simons said it was 'brilliant' for the group to get back to meeting in person after the coronavirus lockdowns and reignite creativity that had to be used in very different ways.

She said: “Nothing beats being back in the room with all these wonderful young people, they are bursting with energy and can’t wait to get back performing.

"As usual our aim for this week is to give everyone an opportunity to perform, try new skills, build friendship, and most of all to have fun."

During lockdown DYT worked with Company 3 in London on an online national project about young people’s perspective of lockdown called The Coronavirus Time Capsule.

Earlier this year, DYT worked with Studio Youth Theatre from Salisbury and Brookdale Youth Theatre from Stockport on an online project called ‘The Rehearsal’ which they shared with each other, recreating how a youth theatre rehearsal looks! They also had a joint session with REC Youth Theatre (from Buxton) having fun playing games and doing some improvisation.

Taking place at the Prince of Wales School in Dorchester, SummerMT will run over five days from Monday, August 9 August to Friday, August 13, culminating in a full length performance that evening. To book (fees apply) or for further information email jo@dorchyouththeatre.co.uk