Stories from our Alumni

showed me what it felt like to be treated as an equal and "young "adult". Feeling truly supported by peers and adults alike was a really unique and valuable experience to have whilst growing up and not something that we could get in a school environment. It helped me develop my own confidence greatly, improve my social skills and gave me the opportunity to make new friends with people I might not have otherwise socialised with. As well as the many social benefits, attending MPYT showed me how to work effectively as part of a team and the importance of valuing others' work and contributions.’

‘Being a part of MPYT for 6 years as a young person supported me to gain confidence in myself and my abilities. It taught me about working together as a community to create impressive pieces of theatre/art, and the drive, commitment and focus needed to do so. I hold being a part of MPYT as one of the greatest life changing experiences that shaped who I am today, it gave me a community of people who celebrated each other for our differences, and friendships which are still going strong 17 years after leaving. Every young person in a rural area like Mid-Wales deserves to have a powerful opportunity like MPYT offers to express themselves through art and build a community of celebration and acceptance.’

‘MPYT was hugely influential in the development of my career in the creative industries, a really creative stepping stone to going to film school; an experience that instilled a deep love of and insight into acting that has played out in different ways in my life, from working with actors as a director to speaking to 500 people. Growing up in a very rural environment MPYT was a beacon of hope and inspiration for a young person who wanted to be creative but couldn't quite see how to develop a career being creative. MPYT was vital to so many of us. I am now working as a head of communications, arts and engagement after 20 years in film and tv. Thank-you MPYT.’

'I always say MPYT was one of the best things that has happened to me in my life. In many ways it saved me. It gave me a safe place where I could be myself and not be judged. I was accepted for me. I finally had friends… real friends that understood me. My mental health was terrible when I first joined and I was shy and quiet. MPYT gave me so much confidence and it made me find who I was. I found a hobby which I loved and was passionate about. As time went on I was able to help others who joined and learnt how to be a leader. Some of my best memories and laughs come from MPYT. I still am close with most people I met there!

Ralph/ Dani and all the team there are such great teachers and mentors and I owe so much to them for who I am today. I still miss MPYT and wish I could still be a part of it. There is no place like it. It was very much my home. So Thankyou!’

‘MPYT had a profound impact on my life.

As a teenager it was my social group and introduced me to like minded people in a location where everyone is so spread out. I regularly still see friends from MPYT even now, 14 years after leaving.

It was the only place in mid wales that enabled me to be creative, take risks and express myself in a fun and exciting way.

In a rural and disparate community in Mid Wales, MPYT brings young people together, giving them purpose and direction as well as a chance to develop socially, and, often underestimated, an opportunity to have fun. In a time where youth services, youth clubs, community centres and school budgets have been cut, MPYT provides invaluable opportunities for the young people of Mid Wales.

I have a lot of gratitude to MPYT for the impact it has had on me and the young people of Mid Wales. Long may it continue'

‘I am just really glad I had a safe space to go to as an anxiety ridden, and often low confidence teenager. I am so grateful that I had something to do that wasn't a sports club as around Llandod that does seem to be the only other option for young kids. I am happy that all my strengths, weaknesses and strangeness got the chance to be expressed in a safe space surrounded by some amazing teachers and peers who all believed in me!’

‘As a teenager I didn't do well in school and I was only interested in drama, art and English. MPYT taught me that working hard to create something as part of a team was worthwhile, joyous and rewarding.  I was and still am so proud of all the shows we created together.  When I was at MPYT we won the National Youth Theatre Awards twice and went to London to perform at the National Theatre - an incredibly exciting and valuable experience. We studied art and dance and music from all over the world for our productions and learned so many skills. The youth theatre opened up the world to us.

I went on to study acting at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, and was a professional actress for many years before I changed career and I am now a professional playwright and screenwriter. I won places on the BBC Welsh Voices writers program and the Channel 4 Screenwriting program. I have had work produced and published by Faber. I won the George Devine Award for most promising playwright in 2021 and have several projects in development with theatres, and in television and film. The youth theatre was formative for me and I made so many friends and found my crowd. I wouldn't be where I am now without it.’

‘Honestly, MPYT saved my life. I don’t know who I would be or who I would have become without the social and artistic experiences I had at MPYT. It was fundamental in my development as a teenager and young adult, a place to express myself and learn who I am, despite what society wants you to be, and that has stayed with me my whole life.’