Connections is our annual, nationwide youth theatre festival. Every year, we commission ten new plays for young people to perform, bringing together some of the UK’s most exciting writers with the theatre-makers of tomorrow. We work with just over 260 youth companies and over 6,000 young people annually from every corner of the UK. Celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2025, the programme has a celebrated history of championing the talent of young people from across the UK.
This year, BNP Paribas volunteers supported the National Theatre Connections programme across our nation-wide & London based Connections partnership venues. As Headline Sponsors of our 30th anniversary Connections Festival, BNP Paribas employees supported the smooth running of the festival across the country, while celebrating the achievements of all the young participants involved. The volunteering offer was shared with BNP Paribas departments across the country, with participants from locations including Bristol, Newcastle, Greater London, & London. Volunteers were also able to see behind the scenes at their local theatres and at the National Theatre itself, experiencing first-hand, the magic of theatre.
In a post-festival survey with over 500 responses from young participants, 91% said that the programme inspired them to be creative, with 94% saying it had given them the opportunity to learn something new. In qualitative responses participants cited enhanced confidence in skills related to acting, speaking, teamworking, and an improved sense of professionalism.
