A PERFORMANCE group run by young people has received a much-needed cash boost to help it showcase their talents.

Living the Dream, a St Albans based group, have received a third of their funds for their Easter showcase next month from an IT company in Enfield called Interactive ideas. They are now looking for further support to help them reach their goal of raising �4,500 for the show.

Zoe Jackson, founder of the group which has over 150 young people aged three to 25, said the support would not only go towards the show but help Living the Dream in its goal to provide low-cost access to the arts for young people who cannot afford expensive training.

The group, set up six years ago by Zoe when she was just 16 as a means of funding her place at the National Youth Theatre, had received funding from Hertfordshire Council Youth’s Big Spend programme for the last three years but recent cuts in government funding to the arts means the funding has been withdrawn.

The 21 year old said: “We are so grateful to Interactive Ideas for their support and we hope that more people can contribute. If 3,000 people visit our page at WeFund page and donate just one pound, our Easter showcase will be bigger and better than ever.”

The group looks to inspire confidence in young people, as well as talent and self-esteem, and does this by allowing them to take on a variety of roles such as script writer, choreographer, director or performer.

The ensemble approach gives each member a voice and a lack of adult input encourages creativity. A key element behind Zoe’s vision for the group was that classes would always be affordable and young people can go along to sessions which are held at her former school, Beaumont, for just �5.

Teachers at the centre are aged 18-22 and have either recently graduated from or are training at prestigious performing arts schools.

The Easter Showcase will be at the Radlett Centre on April 16 and 17. If you want to get involved in any aspect of the show, visit: www.livingthedreamcompany.co.uk.

You can also visit their WeFund page at: www.wefund.co.uk/project/living-dream-easter-showcase-2011