The Trybe
The collective of young men we work with at Trybe House Theatre. Two routes in: Trybe Network (community, masterclasses, shared experiences) and Trybe Core (deeper engagement, focused on making work).
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What we do
Theatre as a space for growth, identity and belonging
Creative practice, theatre and mentorship for young Black men aged 18 to 26. Culturally rooted spaces where they build confidence, develop their voice, and shape the futures they choose.
Our model
How Trybe House works
Most people find Trybe House Theatre by enquiring or being referred. From there, they step into a creative space built around making, thinking, and connecting.
Members work with facilitators who bring experience across theatre-making, casting, wellbeing, and culturally responsive practice. Together, they create original work, develop performances, and build skills that reflect the realities of working in the industry.
Alongside the making, Trybe is a space for conversation: about what's happening now, what we've inherited, and the futures we want to see. The work is responsive, shaped by the lives and experiences of the young men in the room.
The strands
Four ways the work shows up
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The Trybe
Our collective of young men, with two routes in: Trybe Network for connection and shared experience, Trybe Core for those ready to make work.
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Schools & Colleges
Bespoke creative workshops for primary, secondary, college and alternative provision settings, co-designed with each group.
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Wellbeing
Group sessions and 1-to-1 mentoring led by our Wellbeing Lead, embedded across every programme.
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Commissions
Bespoke partner-funded productions with venues, festivals and cultural organisations.
Who it's for
Young Black men, aged 18 to 26
If you're a young Black man aged 18 to 26 looking for a space to explore creativity, build confidence, and connect with others who get it, this is for you.
You don't need prior theatre experience. You don't need to be "talented" or have a plan. You just need to be curious, open to trying new things, and ready to be part of a collective of like-minded, yet uniquely individual people.
Our space is culturally specific because young Black men need spaces where they can express themselves freely, and where the gaps in mental health and wellbeing support are actively addressed.
How to join
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Self-referral
Heard about us and want to get involved? Apply through our programmes page, send us an email, or drop us a DM on Instagram.
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Through your school
If your school or youth service is already working with us, speak to a teacher, mentor or youth worker about joining.
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Youth or social worker
If you're working with a youth worker, social worker or mentor, they can refer you directly.
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Friend recommendation
Know someone who's already part of the Trybe? Ask them to mention you in their next session.
Why theatre
Why this medium, specifically
Theatre is a space to explore, create, and play. It allows you to release energy, connect with others, and shape ideas through shared experience. A place where stories are told and new ways of understanding yourself and the world can expand.
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Self-expression
A space to find your voice and use it. Articulate your thoughts, share your experiences, and be heard, while having the freedom to step outside yourself and explore.
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Empathy
Built through connection. Seeing someone else's story and beginning to understand them more deeply, recognising both shared experiences and individual differences.
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Collaboration
An amalgamation of people, ideas and experiences. Rooted in trust and creating together, recognising that Black men are not a monolith and each person brings their own lived experience.
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Experimentation
Push ideas and explore creatively. Bold thinking, developing taste, and growing through trying, refining, and evolving your work.
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Representation
A platform to tell our own stories and to exist within stories we haven't always seen ourselves in. That shift changes how we see ourselves and what we believe is possible.
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Wellbeing
A space to release, reflect, and connect. Creative expression, shared experience, and community play an important role in supporting wellbeing and reducing isolation.
Why it matters
Why culturally specific spaces matter
Black people and other marginalised communities have been historically underrepresented within the arts. There are still significant gaps, particularly in theatre beyond performance, in areas such as directing, playwriting, lighting design, stage management, teaching, marketing and development.
Our focus is on young Black men within this context. Creating culturally specific spaces allows for a more targeted and consistent response, supporting those who have not always had access, or sustained access, to these pathways.
Culturally specific spaces are not about exclusion. They are about care, understanding, and possibility. They create environments where young Black men can be themselves, supported by mentors who understand their lived experience, and alongside peers who both share and challenge one another's perspectives.
Being in a space where your culture is centred, where your voice is expected, and where your presence is valued changes how you show up. It creates room to grow, to take creative ownership, and to imagine futures that feel possible.
These spaces don't replace mainstream arts spaces. They respond to the gaps that exist, creating pathways, access, and opportunities that have not always been available.
Importantly, this work is not just about creating a space that feels safe and supportive. It is about equipping young Black men with the confidence to step into spaces beyond Trybe, where they may often be in the minority, and to do so with a strong sense of identity and self-belief.
While our focus is on young Black men, we also work with and champion other groups and communities. We're proud of the allyship we've built with community groups across the UK, working alongside them in solidarity.
The aim is the same: to build confidence, support wellbeing, and create opportunities that individuals can carry with them into the wider world.
Our programmes
Pathways into the work
Trybe Futures
For artists emerging from the company who are ready to lead. Developing their own work, leading workshops, and shaping productions within the organisation.
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CPD Training for Teachers
CPD training for teachers. Sessions focus on building trust with students, supporting them to find their voice, and developing practical ways to engage young people from a range of backgrounds.
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Wellbeing & Mentoring
Group sessions and 1-to-1 mentoring led by our Wellbeing Lead, a medical doctor with a background in psychology. Embedded across all programmes.
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Ready to step in?
Choose how you want to engage. There's a way in for everyone.