The maximum number of young people from the Crescent Arts Youth Theater (CAYT) have been awarded a place to participate in the Commonwealth Culture 2014 programme this month.

Nineteen young people from across Northern Ireland will travel to Glasgow next week, where they will be representing Northern Ireland in this year’s Commonwealth Culture 2014 programme.  Five of these young people, the maximum allowed per organisation, have been selected from CAYT, which is something the staff and management at the Crescent Arts Centre are extremely proud of.

Keith Acheson, Crescent Arts Centre Director, said:  “We are absolutely thrilled with what the girls have achieved in securing their places at the Commonwealth Games.  The entire Crescent Arts Centre team and CAYT are extremely proud that Caoimhe, Courtney, Lucy, Rosaleen and Rose will be representing not only us, but also the rest of Northern Ireland at the upcoming games. What they have achieved in such a short space of time is down to their hard work and dedication and to the inspiring work of CAYT Director Andrea and our Outreach and Education Officer Ann Feely.”

Keith went on to say: “For many, this will be a once in a lifetime opportunity to learn from and work with other young people from across the Commonwealth and perform together on an international stage.  The main reason that we have been able to secure the maximum number of places is due to Andrea Grimason and Ann Feely for engaging fully with this opportunity.”

Ann Feely, Outreach and Education Officer said: “ It has been a pleasure to work with Andrea and the young people on this Outreach and Education project.  This project started at Christmas and the girls have done so well to get this far under the direction of Andrea. Thank you also to Keara Fulton and everyone at UAYD for their constant support of this initiative.”

These young people will form the International Performing Company, part of the National Theatre of Scotland’s The Tin Forest festival, together with ninety other young people from all over the Commonwealth, including Jamaica, India, Malta and New Zealand.

The participants will perform live over three days, 21 – 23 July.