update report - Autumn 2024
At theatre works! we are always looking for ways to make a more lasting impact on the lives of the children and young people we serve. While we receive wonderful feedback about the excitement of attending a live performance, we know that it’s just one part of a much larger experience.
Recently, a student who attended Matilda shared her thoughts with us:
Our recent collaboration with Timeline Theatre in Chicago is another powerful example of how educational engagement deepens the impact of theatre. Following a play about how the Dust Bowl of the 1930s impacted the US, actors and backstage people had five workshops with students. As one of the students said,
‘All of the teaching artists were really great and super inviting. I loved everyone’s energies and I would love to work with them’.
One of the teachers shared:
‘I loved seeing some students who have been a little more closed off really open up to the guests. Some of them barely speak and yet were constantly participating and engaging in the activities’.
In both these cases, the teachers expanded the theatre experience, sparking deeper reflection and learning. We believe this kind of engagement can transform a single theatre trip into a more profound and memorable journey. That's why we aim to provide pre- and post-performance workshop materials to all the schools we support.
With your help, we aim to raise £30,000 ($40,000) to fund a part-time education coordinator for three years. This role will allow us to offer enriching educational materials and workshop materials, ensuring that every child not only enjoys theatre but gains invaluable life skills. Find out more about this transformative project led by our new Head of Development, Gabriel Stone, below.
The UK & US creative industries are large and fast-growing sectors. At the same time though, access to arts education is declining in both countries. Where will the skills come to fuel this growth? Read about the scale of the challenge below.
As Graham and I reflect on some of the highlights of the past quarter, top of the list would be hitting the 15,000 mark for the number of children served, welcoming our new Honorary Patron, Baroness Floella Benjamin, and, of course, we can’t forget the excitement caused when, thanks to Disney, we were able to provide over 600 tickets to The Lion King.
Thank you for believing in the power of theatre to transform lives. Your support is important to us.
Warm wishes,
Sharon
Chair, theatre works!
Finding A Foothold
Did you know the creative industries in both the UK and US are booming, contributing billions to our economies? Yet, despite this growth, access to arts education is steadily declining. In the UK alone, the creative industries - including video games, advertising, and theatre - contribute around 6% to the country's GDP. These fields offer not just economic opportunities but a chance for creativity, personal growth, and a wide array of careers that go far beyond what happens on stage.
You might ask, how does theatre prepare kids for ‘real’ careers? It's not just about acting; theatre equips children with essential skills like storytelling, teamwork, and problem-solving—skills that are in high demand across all creative sectors. Many successful professionals in film, digital media, and design began their journey in theatre, proving that the lessons learned in this space can open doors to countless possibilities.
Unfortunately, access to arts education is in decline, especially for children from disadvantaged backgrounds. In the UK, changes to academic qualifications since 2010 have led to a 37% drop in students taking arts exams, while in the US, budget cuts have hit arts programs in public schools hardest, particularly in low-income areas. While the industry flourishes, the reduction in arts education threatens to leave disadvantaged children behind, robbing them of vital opportunities. The question is: who will shape the creative future if access is limited?”
Honorary Patron
We’re thrilled to introduce our new Honorary Patron, Baroness Floella Benjamin. Admired for her powerful voice in both the arts and politics, Lady Benjamin was appointed a Life Peer in 2010. In her early career, she was a presenter of UK children’s programmes such as Play School and Jamboree. She has appeared in numerous theatre productions, including Hair, Jesus Christ Superstar and The Black Mikado. When asked to join our team, she shared, “This is music to my ears… as childhood lasts a lifetime and the experience of being in the theatre will stay with them forever. Hooray!’
Coming to England is a stage musical based on Floella Benjamin’s life story and her experiences as a child emigrating to England. The play is currently touring England.
Making It Happen
We are pleased to introduce you to Gabriel Stone, our new Head of Development. Gabriel earned her MA in Classics from Oxford University, giving her a perfect background for speaking the language required in foundation grants.
One of Gabriel’s first major projects is to help us raise the £30,000 ($40,000) to hire a part-time education coordinator who will develop educational materials for disadvantaged children attending our shows. We’re pleased to have identified Lucy Bellingham, an experienced drama teacher with a passion for crafting these materials, who is available to help us in a part-time capacity. Her expertise will help us offer engaging teaching materials, ensuring that each child who attends the theatre is not only entertained but inspired to learn more about the creative arts.
We can’t do this without you. Thanks to a generous donor who kickstarted the campaign with £5,000 ($6,500), we’re already on our way - but we need your support to reach the £30,000 ($40,000) goal and bring this project to life.
Whether you’re in the UK or the US, your contribution, whether £/$5.00 or £/$500.00, will bring us closer to hiring an experienced theatre educator to develop these vital educational resources. Materials will be made available to all schools and theatres who receive a grant. Click below to make a lasting impact on the lives of disadvantaged children, helping us ensure that theatre is not just a moment of joy but a lifelong source of inspiration and learning.
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