Teenagers have the chance to learn from professional hip hop artists with a number of workshops taking place next year.

A £30,000 Arts Council grant is being used by Hertfordshire County Council to join forces with county based theatre company THEATRE IS, and professional hip hop artists from THROWDOWN UK to run a programme of training in performance for 13 to 19-year-olds.

The free workshops in January offer young people the chance to learn skills including dance and beat boxing, song writing and MC-ing.

Richard Thake, executive member for education and skills, said: "This is a wonderful opportunity to develop young people’s performance skills and is also designed to empower young performers, technicians and event organisers to go on to create and run their own events in the future.”

Stuart Mullins, creative director of THEATRE IS said: “We know that Hertfordshire’s young people have the talent and creative ambition and we’re here to help them realise it.

“By the time this project has finished, Hertfordshire will have its own emerging generation of young cultural entrepreneurs able to go ahead and run their own activities, so there’ll be a real legacy.”

The project is supported by Hertfordshire Music Service, East Herts District Council, St Albans District Council, Stevenage Borough Council, Three Rivers District Council and Watford Borough Council.

Telephone Nicola Marsh, of THEATRE IS, on 01707 281100 for more details.