Welcome to InterAct Youth Arts Festival 2026!
Celebrating 18 years of creativity, connection and inspiring the next generation of artists.
We’re delighted to welcome you to our 18th Birthday Festival, a celebration of the talented young people who continue to shape the creative future of our city.
InterAct Youth Arts Festival is your chance to get involved, try something new, develop creative skills and have fun in a supportive and exciting environment. And the best thing? It’s all totally FREE!!!
This year we are excited to hold the full festival in our creative heart and hub of the city. We have lots of wonderful workshops to challenge your creativity, culminating in one big showcase on the Millennium Forum stage where family and friends can witness all the hard work put in during the festival – and judging on previous years, this will definitely be a very special afternoon!
We couldn’t do all this without the support of our funders, staff and, of course, our Youth Forum, whose passion, dedication and hard work drives the success of the festival. So, mark your calendars and join us for a whirlwind of creativity, laughter, and unforgettable memories at the InterAct Youth Arts Festival.
See you there!
Mags Anderson Education & Schools
Marketing Officer
Interact Poetry Postcards
InterAct
Voices
Come and join our InterAct Musical Theatre Choir! We’ll be exploring repertoire from Legally Blonde to The Greatest Showman. No music reading is required – we'll teach you line by line. It's a fun-filled experience for all singers! If you love to sing, harmonise or just love Musical Theatre songs, then come along!
Move it! InterAct Dance
Get ready to move, connect, and bring the energy with Move it! InterAct Dance.
Tuesday 14th July - 10am - 12pm
Wednesday 15th July - 10am - 12pm
Thursday 16th July - 10am - 12pm
Friday 17th July - 10am - 12pm
SHOWCASE SATURDAY 18TH JULY 3PM
This is a high energy, inclusive and exciting dance experience. This unforgettable workshop packed with movement, music, and fun. Whether you're a complete beginner or an experienced dancer, this session focuses on building confidence, expressing yourself, and sharing positive vibes with everyone around you.
Expect dynamic choreography, interactive activities, plenty of laughs, and an atmosphere where everyone feels welcome to join in.
High energy. Big smiles. Unforgettable moments. Let's make some noise and dance together!
Tuesday 14th July - 10.30am - 12.30pm
Wednesday 15th July - 10.30am - 12.30pm
Thursday 16th July - 10.30am - 12.30pm
Friday 17th July - 10.30am - 12.30pm
SHOWCASE SATURDAY 18TH JULY 3PM
Poetry Postcards celebrating the Millennium Forum and InterAct. Get arty with a postcard sketch to match your poem. Who knows, maybe someone will want to use your design and sell it.
Let's have some poetry and artistic fun and put our postcards on the Millennium Forum stage this summer.
Tuesday 14th July - 12 noon - 1.30pm
Wednesday 15th July - 12 noon - 1.30pm
Thursday 16th July - 12 noon - 1.30pm
SHOWCASE SATURDAY 18TH JULY 3PM
Technical Theatre Workshop
Led by the Millennium Forum's in-house technical team, these workshops are aimed at budding technicians looking to pursue a career as a sound, lighting or stage technician.
The workshop will cover the fundamentals in live sound and theatre lighting; from setting up the stage, to signal flow, to live mixing and understanding the use of different audio processing techniques, as well as basic LX rigging, patching, and programming lights for a live show - this course has got it all.
You will also get the opportunity to put these skills into action, with a session dedicated to setting up and operating the lighting and
sound for the InterAct Showcase Event in the main auditorium.
Wednesday 15th July – Sat 18th July 10am – 3pm
The Art of Storytelling in Musical Theatre
Ready to take your passion for performing arts to the next level? Your Stage: InterAct is an electrifying experience designed for young performers aged 11–18 who are ready to sing, dance, act and shine!
This year, participants will dive into the hauntingly beautiful world of Hadestown, working on powerful excerpts from the acclaimed musical. Through a dynamic programme of group workshops, personalised coaching, and intensive rehearsals, you’ll train with industry professionals who will guide and challenge you in singing, acting, and dance.
Build confidence, develop your craft, collaborate with like-minded performers. Whether you’re stepping onto the stage for the first time or refining your performance skills, Your Stage: InterAct will inspire you to grow and push your creative boundaries.
The week culminates in an unforgettable final showcase at the prestigious Millennium Forum, where you’ll perform in front of a live audience and experience the thrill of a professional stage. Your Stage: InterAct — where talent meets opportunity, and performers come to life.
Tuesday 14th July – 1pm -3pm
Wednesday 15th July – 1pm – 3pm
Thursday 16th July – 1pm – 4pm
Friday 17th July – 1pm – 4pm SHOWCASE SATURDAY 18TH JULY 3PM
at a glance
Tues 14th July InterAct Voices 10am - 12pm Millennium Forum Theatre Move It! InterAct Dance 10.30am - Millennium Forum Theatre 12.30pm
InterAct Poetry Postcards 12pm - 1.30pm Millennium Forum Theatre
The Art of Storytelling In 1pm - 3pm Millennium Forum Theatre Musical Theatre
Wed 15th July InterAct Voices 10am - 12pm Millennium Forum Theatre
Move It! InterAct Dance 10.30am - Millennium Forum Theatre 12.30pm
InterAct Poetry Postcards 12pm - 1.30pm Millennium Forum Theatre
Technical Theatre 10am - 3pm SOLD OUT Workshop
The Art of Storytelling In 1pm - 3pm Millennium Forum Theatre Musical Theatre
Thurs 16th July InterAct Voices 10am - 12pm Millennium Forum Theatre Move It! InterAct Dance 10.30am - Millennium Forum Theatre 12.30pm
InterAct Poetry Postcards 12pm - 1.30pm Millennium Forum Theatre
Technical Theatre 10am - 3pm SOLD OUT Workshop
The Art of Storytelling In 1pm - 4pm Millennium Forum Theatre Musical Theatre
Fri 17th July InterAct Voices 10am - 12pm Millennium Forum Theatre Move It! InterAct Dance 10.30am - Millennium Forum Theatre 12.30pm
Technical Theatre 10am - 3pm SOLD OUT Workshop
The Art of Storytelling in 1pm -4pm Millennium Forum Theatre Musical Theatre
Sat 18th July InterAct Showcase 3pm -5pm Main Auditorium