Living the Dream is one of the few performing arts companies in the UK run by young people for young people. Zoe Jackson set up Living the Dream Performing Arts Company in 2006 at the age of 16. She wanted to give young people the chance to take part in something affordable, accessible, fun and exciting! Over the last five years, Living the Dream has grown beyond recognition and is made up of over 400 talented young people, aged 5-25 who take part in classes, events, showcases and flash-mobs in a youth led environment.

Living the Dream has a School of Performing Arts, Dance Company, Media Company and a Dancewear Shop. We are in the process of launching the Living the Dream Talent Agency!

We have also established the Dream Foundation as a not for profit company to provide subsidised or free access for young people to performing arts training and performance opportunities who would otherwise not be able to take part through financial hardship.

The ethos of Living the Dream

Living the Dream is completely unique in that it is run by young people for young people, is affordable and is open to anyone. We are committed to supporting and developing young people from all walks of life; therefore, we do not charge expensive fees.

The overall ethos of Living the Dream is to grow in talent, confidence and self-esteem, meet new people, work as a team and most of all to have fun! We have found that our students respond extremely positively to working in a youth-led environment with more freedom to express themselves.

Living the Dream engages and empowers young people, by giving them platforms to develop skills in street dance, contemporary dance, breakdance, musical theatre, acting and singing. We also give talented members roles backstage like choreographers, script writers, directors, technicians and designers.  By putting young people’s voices at the core of Living the Dream’s creative process, it helps them to grow in confidence and to raise their aspirations about their futures and what they can achieve.  

Living the Dream proves that young people can achieve great things on their own, providing inspiration and a positive role model for others. It also challenges the negative images of young people portrayed in the media. Living the Dream shows young people at their best and encourages members to start believing in themselves and demonstrate the positive contribution that young people can make to their communities.