It is undoubtedly an excellent time to be involved in the arts in Malta right now, with young performers having a myriad of opportunities available for training and performing in various art forms. Over the past five years, Toi Toi, the Teatru Manoel Education Programme conceived and spearheaded by Arts Education Consultant Rosetta Debattista, has been instrumental in offering many such opportunities, with both the Teatru Manoel Youth Opera and Teatru Manoel Youth Theatre programmes thriving over the past few years.

In September both programmes will be holding auditions for young singers and actors for the forthcoming season which runs from October to June 2017.

Auditions for Teatru Manoel Youth Opera will take place on Wednesday, 21 September at 10am. Now in its fourth season, TMYO offers a remarkable opportunity for young singers to learn and perform. The programme's aim is to enrich Malta and Gozo's emerging operatic talent and offer intensive training and operatic experience to those who wish to pursue a career as a singer.

This programme acts as a semi-professional performing ground for singers aged between 18 and 35. Weekly sessions of two to three hours on Saturday mornings offer valuable opportunities for young singers to explore all aspects of opera through weekly workshops and to take part in performances in Teatru Manoel's productions and more.

TMYO members can audition and are prioritised when casting the Valletta 2018 Teatru Manoel Opera, usually held in October.

Auditions for the Teatru Manoel Youth Theatre will be held on Saturday, 24 September at 2pm. Established in February 2012, the goal of TMYT is to nurture talented young actors through training and performance opportunities. TMYT offers a first-class training and performance experience for young people aged between 16 and 25.

During weekly intensive three-hour sessions held on Saturday afternoons, Youth Theatre members work alongside professional directors as well as choreographers, musicians, designers and technicians, with the company attending workshops and masterclasses with world-renowned companies such as Les Enfants Terribles. The principal tutor for TMYT's weekly sessions is Denise Mulholland.

For an audition pack for either TMYO or TMYT send an email to [email protected]