YOUNGSTERS who want to build confidence, make new friends or take centre stage are being invited to get involved with a theatre.

The Octagon, Bolton, runs a number of groups for children and young people, from sessions for those who want to boost individual skills to professional-style productions for stage stars of the future.

Rory Squitieri, aged 15, has been a member for nine years, during which time he has developed new skills which carry over into everyday life.

The Rivington and Blackrod High School pupil said: “It has helped increase my confidence and given me opportunities to get involved, learn and experience theatre, and meet many different people.

"The Octagon is inspiring and a place of opportunities — it makes me feel enthusiastic and part of something interesting.”

The members are encouraged to build creativity and ability, while forming positive relationships and improving social skills.

Lisa ONeill-Rogan, the Octagon’s learning and participation associate director, said: “The technical and personal growth I witness time and time again are a constant reminder of why we host these groups.

“Seeing the eagerness of young people getting to work in a functioning theatre with real directors and getting to be audience to their final project, whether it’s a full performance or a glimpse into their individual progress, is the best part of my job.”

Octagon staff hope to boost numbers for the Stage 2 group, for eight to 11-year-olds, which meets on Friday afternoons.

Running over 10 weeks, they can either take part in a ‘skills based’ term, culminating in an informal sharing of what students have learned or a ‘product focused’ term, working towards a full scale production or gala performance.

There is also still time to join one of the Octagon’s Bridges groups, either Little Bridges, for children aged five to 11, or Bridges Youth Theatre’s Saturday group, for 11 to 21-year-olds.

For young people looking to get to grips with the process of creating and delivering a new piece of theatre, the Octagon Young Collective is for 16 to 25-year-olds.

Octagon BASIC, in partnership with Bolton at Home, is a project for 16 to 25-year-olds who are lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender — the first group of its kind in Bolton.

Meeting on Mondays, from 7 to 9pm, the group uses theatre and drama techniques to advocate, celebrate and explore issues relating to the LGBT community.

To find out more about the groups and any costs, call the Learning and Participation Department on 01204 529 407.