STEP Programme 2026

STEP Youth Theatres Showcase 2026 at Theatre Peckham, 221 Havil Street, London SE5 7SB Thursday 2nd July 2026

Photo: Matt Clayton

@STEPSouthwark

About STEP

Southwark Theatres Education Partnership (STEP) is a borough-wide partnership linking the theatre community and education and youth sector in the London Borough of Southwark. STEP aims to equalise, extend and deepen the theatre and drama experience of all young people living in Southwark through the development of strategic partnerships between schools, youth and community groups, theatres and performing arts organisations.

STEP Trustees

Your compere for the evening

Martine Jean-Baptiste (Teacher)

Jo Sadler-Lovett

Jo Sadler-Lovett (Freelance Theatre Practitioner)

With special thanks to

Chris Lawrence (London Drama)

Suzy Smith (Immediate Theatre)

David Workman (Southwark Playhouse) Theatre Peckham staff

Suzann McLean, CBE Maddy Page

Shakeil Edwards Nicole Goodes

Theatre Peckham Technical and Front of house staff 2 STEP Youth Theatres Showcase 2026

Freelance Theatre Practitioner The Newcomen Collett Foundation who have funded this event and Theatre Peckham who are hosting it.

Harris Girls Academy East Dulwich Don’t Ch’use me Unscripted

The drama explores the ways in which girls are forced to grow up. For some the desire to engage in adult activities seems to be their own choice. But is it? This work attempts to address some of the ways that young girls experience manipulation and exploitation.

Cast List

Director/Facilitator

Florence Allison

Ronnie Cook

Nena Bizley

Keya Rahman Charles

Mehjabeen Aktar Summer BoltPalmer Nina Bomford

Eloise Crane

Heather Osborne-Beder

Elena De Souza Eunice Zirora

Elsa Cook

Theatre Peckham My Ends

Spoken word theatre

Over the past several months, a group of young people have been meeting every Tuesday to develop their spoken word and theatre skills through free creative sessions funded by the Maudsley Trust and the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. Working with Theatre Peckham’s Community Engagement Producer, Shakeil Edwards, and Spoken Word Theatre Project Manager, Lauryn Joy, they have explored themes of mental health, identity, belonging, and community.

My Ends is a powerful spoken word theatre piece that reflects on what ‘my ends’ means to them: the places they call home, the communities that have shaped them, and their feelings about the areas they come from. Through original poetry, storytelling, and performance, these young artists share honest perspectives on their experiences, challenges, hopes, and pride in their communities.

Cast List

Marlon Bent Alex Joseph

Director/Facilitator

Shakeil Edwards and Lauryn Joy

Eva-Marie Palmer-Simmonds Sienna Mcfarlane-Raveneau Ethan Moses

Reece Campel STEP Youth Theatres Showcase 2026 3

Ark Walworth The Package

Scripted play with a split stage The play is a naturalistic play featuring issues such as bullying, online safety, abandonment and reconciliation. Heroes are not always wearing capes and oftentimes have to make difficult decisions. We want the audience to think about how they are often heroes in their own ways but also think about moments when they were also villains.

Cast List

Lucie Masuala Kopo

Luciane Masuala Kopo Loretta Jagede Adama Bah Hadija Faye

Somal Farah Yusuf Ashanty Mendez Shifaa Ahmed

Mafortah Bangura Reuben Adu

Pola Witkowska

Quwam Oludimu

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Director/Facilitator

Nicole Clayton Music credits:

Mariah Carey There’s a hero Bounty Killer It’s a party

St Thomas the Apostle College Tomiwa and Jack

Devised by Year 10 Boys About Tomiwa

Cast List

Tomiwa follows a teenage boy struggling with body image issues while facing relentless bullying at school. After reaching breaking point and fighting back against his tormentors, he finds himself in trouble with teachers and further humiliated when the bullying continues online. Feeling isolated and ashamed, Tomiwa embarks on a journey of self-acceptance and resilience. Determined not to let others define his worth, he transforms his pain into purpose, becoming a positive role model for young people facing similar challenges and inspiring others to embrace who they are.

Elijah Fyffe

About Jack

Cast List

Jack tells the story of a teenage boy whose life is turned upside down when his girlfriend becomes pregnant. Overwhelmed by fear, guilt, and uncertainty, he struggles to confide in his family, friends, and even a youth counsellor who tries to help him. Feeling trapped by his circumstances and desperate to provide for his future child, Jack runs away from home and becomes involved in illegal activities to earn money. As his choices lead him further down a dangerous path, he is ultimately forced to confront the consequences of his actions when he finds himself standing before a court, where his future hangs in the balance.

Micah Ashie

Jeffrey Oshodin Roman Cain

Anu Oluremi

Emmanuel Ogunbase

Directors/Facilitators

Jaz Tizzard and Reuben Anderson

STEP Youth Theatres Showcase 2026 5

Harris Boys’ Academy Youth Theatre Reminiscence

Devised/Improvised Daniel, now a successful headteacher, reflects on the key moments that shaped his life. Through a series of flashbacks, he revisits moments of success, failure, and regret, and the people who influenced him. As he looks back on his journey, Daniel discovers how his decisions led him to where he is today.

Cast List

Joseph Hendley Delwyn Dixon

Aleksandre Kharazishvili Alejandro Arquiza

Phoenix Mckenzie-Martin Jeremiah Oladokun Sash Niroshan

Tyrrell Dennis-Mckenzie Othniel Hamilton Gordon Lothian Salim Sesay

Tzuriel Tyrell-Works Changez Hanif

Christopher Lewis

Zayne Giwa-Osagie Eloihim - Osei Aren Bayat

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Director/Facilitator

Ms F Tyrell

Photos: STEP

STEP Youth Theatres Showcase 2026 7

Southwark Theatres Education Partnership (STEP) is a UK Charity (1121201) and Company (06069864).