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We had always wanted to give our children a chance to live in another culture and learn another language, and we chose Strasbourg because access to other European countries is so easy. We kept saying 'just one more year' but now we know we are here permanently.

We started the musical theatre company for young people because we met a choreographer and various other theatre people and, as you do, we decided to put on a show. 

We realised very quickly that American and French teaching styles are very different. We wanted to give children the experience of trying stuff without being afraid of making a mistake. We thought there was a real need for that, and it was a great outlet for our children. 

We held open auditions for a cut-down version of Annie, and 24 international children turned up who could speak enough English to take part – so we took them all. 

That was 2013, and every year since we have produced a show in the autumn. We also now offer acting training and we have a choir, so they get voice training. There is also technical backstage training – stage management, props, lights and sound. 

Building this together, as a family, really tied us together and strengthened our links. 

Read more: 'I found my voice when I joined a French choir'

The Young Actors Theater (YATS) in Strasbourg is now well established. 

It is a non-profit association run by parents, friends and theater professionals who volunteer their time. However, theatre programmes cost money and YATS depends on membership and sponsorship to pay for workshop teachers, royalties, theatre rental, costumes and scenery.

While membership is not required for young actors to participate in our productions and workshops, it provides approximately 20% of our annual budget. 

We get good audiences; last autumn for Shrek we sold 500 tickets per show and we did five shows. 

Although we started in school gyms, we work in the Point d'Eau now, a nice, large theatre. 

We have a set designer and a costume store. We have more than 100 volunteers who run things, and although it is amateur, the standards are professional. 

We had 90 people audition for just 40 parts last time, and some of our ex-students are now teaching and mentoring with us.

Young people of 20 different nationalities have appeared in our shows, including children who are having a rough time at school. A big proportion of them go on to train professionally. 

We also run summer camps in conjunction with Broadway Theatre International. And of course we are still working on our own careers, giving concerts and appearing in operas. 

Find out more:

Read more: I joined a rock band in France 

Tips for putting on a show:

• Start small, find other people who are interested, and build a team. Ensure people are like-minded in their aims, but have different skills. 

• You need some French speakers, you need people to run your social media accounts, do advertising and PR, manage ticket sales etc, as well as people to actually put the show on. 

• We have someone who builds sets, and someone else who does the logistics of moving sets in and out.

• Find a regular venue for auditions and rehearsals.

• Run some workshops to introduce what you want to do.

• Choose or write or devise a show. Or raise funds to pay for a show. 

• You can find scripts online. Try Music Theatre International. They have lots of junior versions of musicals which are cut down and shorter. They provide scripts and scores as well as rights. They can also provide pre-recorded music tracks and they have an app that helps people learn the music.

• Put a show on. Getting the first show produced is the main thing. Use a local village hall or school gym. The audience will be the parents of the young performers. 

• Afterwards it will grow organically and you will just need to steer the way it evolves.