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at the Ambassador Theatre Group

Creative Learning Foreword

ambassador theatre group C r e at i v e L e a r n i n g 32

Prospero’s Storm, Wimbledon and richmond theatres The Ripple Effect London gala

The Ambassador Theatre Group’s venues are rooted in the very heart of their local communities and our Creative Learning departments take

a leading role in contributing to the social cohesion of the towns and cities that our theatres serve. Through this work we create opportunities for social and educational development, offering our venues as a valuable learning resource, enabling enjoyment and developing appreciation of the performing arts.

I am very proud that ATG, a company that focuses on managing theatre venues and providing high quality entertainment, is also committed to encouraging aspirations in young theatre makers. Through Creative Learning we work to share our expertise and resources with those that will form the next generation of creative industry talent and theatre audiences.

Our Creative Learning work is constantly evolving. Our most recent innovation was the production of a major new writing project, The Ripple Effect, influenced and performed by youth and community groups from across the UK. In partnership with the ATG Foundation, ATG was the only commercial theatre company to deliver a nationwide project for the Cultural Olympiad, leading us closer to our ambition to give everyone an opportunity to experience the revelation of live theatre.

rosemary SquireJoint Chief ExecutiveAmbassador Theatre Group

Creative Learning Contents


Contents

Introduction & key strands 6Show-related activity 8Participatory activity 10Special projects 14Work-related learning 16Industry events & training 18Partnerships & support 20

venue profiles

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre 22Churchill Theatre, Bromley 23King’s Theatre & Theatre Royal, Glasgow 24Liverpool Empire Theatre 25Milton Keynes Theatre 26Richmond Theatre 27Stoke Regent Theatre & Victoria Hall 28Sunderland Empire Theatre 29New Wimbledon Theatre 30West End Theatres 31

Paragon project, glasgow theatres

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Summer school, Wimbledon and Richmond Theatres

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Creative Learning introduction & key strands


ATG’s Creative Learning programme includes five key strands of work:

Show-related activityWorking closely with companies visiting our theatres, we create activities which enhance the theatregoer’s experience and encourage participation and an interest in the arts.

Work-related learningWe offer a range of opportunities to develop the theatre industry workforce of the future and to improve the career prospects of young people.

Participatory activityWe engage with our audiences through regular theatre-related activities, with participants ranging from toddlers to the elderly.

Special projectsWe work in partnership with local authorities and national umbrella organisations to develop a range of special theatre-related projects within the community.

Industry events & trainingWe work in partnership with experts to deliver industry-wide events and training opportunities.

Over the course of a year more than 70,000 people participate in ATG’s Creative Learning

activities in the Regions and the West End. Our Creative Learning Managers strive to nurture an interest in theatre and to enable everyone to experience and connect with the performing arts.

We offer opportunities to explore the pathways of creation, direction, playwriting and performance, thereby extending the experiences of our audiences. We also look to develop the talents of the future through work experience, internships, apprenticeships, skills-based workshops for learners of all ages and our Stage Experience project.

To strengthen the educational benefits of the performing arts, we facilitate access to all our buildings and productions, ensuring equality of opportunity for children and adults, taking into account disadvantage, disability and diversity.

Our Youth Theatres are run solely for the benefit of those in the local area, who may not have the opportunity to gain experience through more traditional theatre schools. Our team works in partnership with both local and national partners to engage with specifically targeted hard to reach groups with the aim of removing the barriers to participation and attendance.

We are grateful for the support we receive from trusts, foundations and Local Authorities to deliver our work. Special thanks go to Wimbledon Civic Theatre Trust, Sunderland Empire Theatre Trust, Stoke-on Trent Theatres Trust, The Empire Theatre (Merseyside) Trust and Richmond Theatre Trust.

This booklet will give you a taste of the wealth of work being created around the country by our dedicated teams, ensuring new opportunities and lifelong learning for all generations. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the team of permanent and freelance staff, whose commitment, energy and imagination makes it all happen.

Karen townsendHead of Learning & Access Ambassador Theatre Group

Creative Learning Show-related activity


Show-relatedactivityacross our UK-wide network of theatres, our Creative Learning work is consistently inspired by the productions on our stages. in many cases, activities directly relate to the show and are offered to increase the audience member’s enjoyment of their visit. these activities usually take place in our theatres just before or after the show itself – in rehearsal spaces, front of house or even on stage! they are particularly popular with schools, colleges and those who want to deepen their knowledge of the performing arts.

■ Pre-show talks■ Post-show Q&as■ Production workshops■ theatre tours

Aylesbury Waterside TheatreNorthern Ballet brought The Nutcracker during half term which led to an exciting week of activity: two intensive dance workshops culminating in a performance onstage, family workshops and a workshop for visually impaired patrons attending the audio-described performance.

Liverpool Empire TheatreFrom Grease to Fame, Legally Blonde to Phantom of the Opera, our musical theatre master classes are available for most of the productions at the Empire, designed to explore the themes and characters of the show and give an insight into the rehearsal process.

Thank you so much for taking the time to participate in Kids Week 2012. The ‘Find Your Inner Elle’ Legally Blonde workshop was very well structured and organised – the feedback we’ve received has been excellent.

The Society of London Theatre Workshop for Legally Blonde New Wimbledon Theatre

Beyond The Stars, Churchill theatre Bromley

The trip was an enormous success. Your organisation and arrangements worked perfectly for us, and the experience was therefore entirely a positive one.

Teacher Pre-show talk for Cabaret Savoy Theatre, West End


Creative Learning Participatory activity

ParticipatoryactivityMany of our theatres organise regular classes, providing creative opportunities for those aged 2 to 102! Our Creative Learning staff design these programmes to deepen engagement with the performing arts and to develop our audiences. Some of these activities are weekly, some are intensive summer courses -all encourage the local community to feel at home in our theatres.

■ Youth theatres■ adult classes■ amateur productions■ Holiday workshops

Milton Keynes TheatreThere are 12 popular classes per week for young people in drama, ballet and Glee singing alongside several classes for adults, which include ballet, jazz dance, salsa and acting. Many of these classes sell out on a regular basis. The theatre offers bursaries to students from low income families for some of the courses.

Richmond TheatreRichmond Theatre runs four regular groups for adult learners exploring acting, poetry, play reading and writing. We provide learning opportunities for people of all ages, and these groups give adults the chance to meet like-minded people and share creative ideas. One of the most successful groups is our scriptwriting group, currently working with playwright Dawn King to develop debut plays.

Open Day, richmond theatre

A fun, active, relaxed class, helping you fall in love with ballet and finding those muscles you forgot you had! A great start to my week.

Participant Adult ballet classMilton Keynes Theatre

I had an amazing time, I still can’t believe that we learnt a play and songs in three and a half days! Winning! Thank you.

Participant, 14 Summer school Glasgow Theatres

Working on the stage was an experience that will stay with our students for a long time to come. The back stage tour was full of enthusiasm, knowledge and ownership of the entire history of this wonderful theatre.

City College, Brighton Workshop and theatre tour Theatre Royal Brighton

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Guys and Dolls Stage experience, Milton Keynes theatre

Fame Stage experience, Liverpool empire theatre

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ParticipatoryactivityStage experienceDuring July and august across the country our theatres are taken over by young people presenting Stage experience, a summer school performance project where young people perform on our stages, mounting full-scale musicals.

With professional creative teams, costumes and sets, atg staff produce and administer productions such as Oliver!, West Side Story, and Guys and Dolls, which offer participants technical experience as well as performance roles. Often a young person’s first experience of performing, Stage experience sets out to inspire the next generation of talented musical theatre stars.

Sunderland Empire TheatreThe annual Stage Experience programme is one of the biggest summer programmes in the North East. Over 130 young people aged 8 to 24 come together for a fortnight-long intensive project each year.

access projectsWe are proud of the work we deliver in this area. Our managers have a passion for access, ensuring everyone we engage with has an equal opportunity to participate in our activities. We are at the forefront of developing new ideas such as relaxed Performances, with the aim of influencing the shift in society that we have seen emerging over the past few years.

Richmond TheatreSomething to Say is a collaborative dance and drama project between Richmond Theatre and Richmond Mencap. In the words of the participants, Something to Say “is about making plays and dances, it’s about what we want to do and what we want to say”. The group, made up of 12 young adults with learning disabilities, have been taking part in performance projects at the theatre for five years.

Stoke-on-Trent Regent Theatre & Victoria HallOur ELITE (Enabling Living Independently Today and Everyday) mixed ability singing group has been working under the tutelage of our Regent Academy Choir Director, Steve Mitchell, at the Victoria Hall. Their development has been amazing, and this year they took part in the Bertarelli Creative Minds Festival, winning the Spirit of the Festival Award.

You could call it a theatre boot camp, but that would be too draconian, because fun goes hand-in-hand with discipline in the fortnight’s work that climaxes with four performances… which once again raise the bar!

York Press Fiddler on the Roof York Opera House Stage Experience

It brought people together no matter what our abilities or disabilities to celebrate the joy of dance.

Participant Big Dance Churchill Theatre Bromley

Creative Learning Participatory activity

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Creative Learning Special projects


Lord of the Flies, glasgow theatre royal

SpecialprojectsOur special projects seek to respond to a specific local need and are consequently diverse.they grow out of regional and national partnerships and establish relationships which continue to be mutually beneficial beyond the project itself. Often special projects reach out to those who due to social and economic barriers have been unable to access the arts.■ the ripple effect by Ursula rani

Sarma, 2012 Cultural Olympiad■ glyndebourne Opera projects

(Stoke-on-trent)■ national theatre new Connections

Heartbreak Beautiful (Bromley)■ Schools’ Showcase (Wimbledon)■ a Christmas Carol primary school

residency (West end)■ Lord of the Flies (glasgow)

The Ripple EffectThe aim of this ambitious new writing and performance project was to reach young people with no previous experience of arts engagement from socially and economically disadvantaged communities. The ATG Foundation commissioned Ursula Rani

We have built up an excellent relationship with the Ambassador Theatre Group and Scottish audiences over a number of years. We are delighted to have been chosen by Glasgow Theatres and funded by Creative Scotland to initiate this unprecedented dance project in Glasgow. To combine the talents of professional dancers and promising young local talent to create an original production, using all of New Adventures’ world class creative team, is surely unique.

Matthew BourneNew Adventures

This project has helped build my confidence not only as a dancer but as a person.

Lord of the Flies participant

The Ripple Effect new writing project is an exciting and hugely innovative concept and I am thrilled that it will form part of the London 2012 Festival and leave a legacy for the young people involved. The passion for the project shared by the organisers is inspiring.

Ruth MackenzieLondon 2012 Festival Director

Sarma to consult with the young people and write five new interlinking plays around the Olympic theme of Truce. The five linking pieces were premiered and performed on stage in Richmond, Stoke-on-Trent, Milton Keynes, Liverpool, Sunderland and Glasgow in the summer of 2012 as an integral part of the Cultural Olympiad.

The legacy continues both for the groups and ATG staff who invested their skills and commitment to make it happen. It has given venues the opportunity to develop partnerships in their communities.

The Ripple Effect

Case studyLord of the Flies

Creative Learning in Glasgow joined forces with Re:bourne, the education strand of world-renowned choreographer Matthew Bourne’s company New Adventures, to develop a bold ambitious project to get boys involved in dance. Funded by Creative Scotland, the project brought professional dancers and local young people together on a journey that started in school gym halls and ended on stage. Using games, physical challenges and task-based activities, relationships were built and skills developed so that gradually the boys began to devise and perform their own material drawn from the themes and ideas from William Golding’s novel Lord of the Flies. This work formed the inspiration for the short film Beastie, a raw interpretation of Golding’s key themes which was screened at Glasgow Film Theatre’s Youth Film Festival. Ultimately the project formed a new main-stage adaptation of Lord of the Flies, which premiered at the Theatre Royal in Glasgow. Following this, the participants formed a dance company, Dimension, to continue their performance development.

Creative Learning Work-related learning


We provide exciting opportunities for work-related learning to introduce young people to careers in the theatre industry.Our placements and programmes are designed to introduce young people to areas such as ticketing, marketing and customer hospitality. Many participants have gone on to start careers with atg in departments ranging from front of house to business affairs.

■ Work experience■ Careers events■ ‘Work in theatre’ course■ ‘Creative Choices’ with the national Skills academy

Work-related learning

‘Work in theatre’ course, West end

Thank you so much for coming along yesterday to talk about Richmond Theatre at our careers event. Your tips and guidance for students wanting to get into the world of drama, theatre and performance were extremely valuable. We are very grateful to you for taking the time out to visit them.

Julie Powell, Head of Employability and Entrepreneurship, University of Roehampton Careers visit by Richmond Theatre

Case studyCallum Domigan

In the West End, Callum Domigan took part in a ‘Work in Theatre’ course over the Easter holidays. Callum was placed at the Savoy Theatre during a very busy week and threw himself into the course, which included industry workshops as well as the theatre placement.

Callum said: “The ‘Work in Theatre’ course was a really good week and I learnt a lot from it; it covered all areas of theatre and I found it very interesting. I got a taster of all the things that go into working front of house including the bar, kiosk and ushering. I was aware that the Savoy team were recruiting for their new show and posted my CV the following week. I got invited to an interview and started my new job just three weeks after I finished the course!”

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Creative Learning industry events & training

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We recognise the need to keep abreast of new and current thinking in the fields of education, culture and theatre arts. We participate in industry events and offer training opportunities across the business.

■ Paid internships■ industry apprenticeships■ teacher training opportunities

Industry events & training

Case studyOffice intern, Lauren Power

“With graduation from The Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts imminent, I was keen to develop my working knowledge, skills and experience in a large, commercial theatre organisation. ATG’s internship stood out due to the breadth of experiences available. The internship provided endless opportunities to network with industry professionals, embark on practical projects and assist with events. The most beneficial factor for me personally was acquiring and developing skills and experience relevant to a range of different roles, consequently providing the opportunity to focus my ambition and adapt the internship to suit my interests in preparation for future job applications. I would recommend the internship to anyone pursuing a career in the arts.”

This is an invaluable link, which will offer a unique entry point for the successful candidates into a highly competitive industry.

Professor Mike Cordner Head of Theatre Department of Theatre, Film and Television University of York

ambassador theatre group C r e at i v e L e a r n i n g

internship partnership with the University of YorkA special internship programme named after ATG Chairman, Greg Dyke, places York graduates in six month placements in the company.

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Creative Learning Partnership & support

Partnerships & support

■ abode Hotel■ action for Children’s arts■ aDa Scotland■ age UK Bromley and greenwich■ amersham & Wycombe College ■ arts 1 Performing arts School■ arts award■ arts Council england■ artsnet■ artstrain■ artswork■ aylesbury College■ aylesbury vale District Council■ Bedford College■ Bethlem Museum and art gallery■ Bird College■ Brockley Jack theatre■ Bromley Children’s Project■ Bromley College■ Bromley Council■ Bromley education & Business Partnership■ Bromley MinD■ Bromley volunteer Centre■ BSL tickets■ Buckinghamshire County Council■ Buckinghamshire education & Business Partnership■ Burton and South Derbyshire College

■ Centre for accessible environments■ Community vision■ Connexions■ Creative & Cultural Skills■ Creative Scotland■ Deaf Connections■ Dramatic edge■ Duke Street Church■ east London Dance■ eLite Special needs group■ english touring Opera■ Families Fighting for Justice■ Federation of Scottish theatre■ gentoo■ gerald Moore art gallery

■ glasgow City Council■ glasgow Life■ glasgow Museums■ geoffrey taylor – Kiltmakers■ glyndebourne On tour■ greenwich Dance agency■ ian taylor Foundation■ ithaca College London Centre■ LB Merton Youth inclusion■ Lewisham College■ Magpie Dance■ Maybe Magazine ■ Merton Chamber of Commerce ■ Merton College of art■ Milton Keynes City Orchestra■ Milton Keynes Council

■ Milton Keynes Creative Learning network■ Milton Keynes gallery■ Mousetrap theatre Projects■ Museum of richmond■ Mytime active■ national autistic Society■ national Skills academy■ re:bourne■ richmond education & Business Partnership■ richmond Mencap ■ richmond theatre trust■ rniB■ rose Bruford College■ Scottish Opera■ Scottish Youth theatre■ Somewhere_to■ South Lanarkshire Council■ Society of London theatre■ South thames College■ Sparc arts■ Stow College■ St Margaret Ward Specialist Performing arts College■ Staffordshire County Council■ Staffordshire University■ Stagetext■ Stoke-on-trent City Council■ Stoke-on-trent College■ Stoke-on-trent theatres trust

■ Streetwise Opera■ Sunderland City Council■ Sunderland empire theatre trust■ Sunderland Youth Service■ tamtam theatre■ the ‘Shine’ Project■ the Bertarelli Foundation■ the Brit School■ the Challenge network■ the CrM Society■ the empire theatre (Merseyside) trust Ltd■ the Jack Petchey Foundation■ the LinKeS project■ the Orange tree theatre■ the Prince’s Foundation for Children & the arts■ the royal Court theatre■ the Salvation army■ the SMart Centre■ theatre Sign■ theatrical Management association■ University of Buckingham■ University of the third age■ University of York■ vocaleyes■ West Dunbartonshire Council■ Wimbledon Civic theatre trust■ Women’s institute

atg Creative Learning works in partnership with charities, trusts and organisations nationwide.We are grateful for their creative input and support.

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eLite mixed ability singing group, Stoke theatres


Creative Learning venues

Aylesbury Waterside Theatre aylesbury

The Churchill Theatre Bromley, London

The Creative Learning programme supports our productions with workshops, specially devised performances, talks, professional development opportunities, and careers activities. We also offer an assisted performance programme with workshops for disabled patrons. Our ‘Waterside Insights’ are regular talks from creative professionals and we also host frequent public script readings. Collaborations with visiting companies Northern Ballet and the National Theatre have provided opportunities for varied and exciting activities to further our audiences’ enjoyment of the arts.During the Olympic year, Creative Learning supported the development of The Incredible Doctor Guttman, a play based on the man who founded the Paralympics near Aylesbury.

We work with local schools, colleges and universities, Aylesbury Vale District Council, Buckinghamshire County Council, Creative & Cultural Skills, and the Buckinghamshire Education & Business Partnership.

Creative Learning at the Churchill Theatre serves a wide demographic, offering access opportunities to the venue and the performing arts. Our programme of eight weekly classes includes drama, dance, singing and creative writing for all ages and participants have the opportunity to perform on the theatre’s main stage. Tours, workshops, and talks support visiting productions and we also offer work-related learning events, symposiums and industry training days. We are particularly proud of our special projects such as Big Dance - in 2012 this included three large-scale events and over 70 workshops involving 188 participants. There was also a Big Dance Carnival event at Crystal Palace Concert Bowl with 700 participants and 2000 audience members.

Our creative partnerships include Rose Bruford College, English Touring Opera, Greenwich Dance Agency and ArtsTrain amongst others which enable us to bring new audiences to the theatre and offer unique performance opportunities.

The opportunity for our young people to practise and apply their creative writing skills in an authentic environment is to be welcomed and I look forward to reading the work of our young reviewers.

Sue Imbriano, Strategic Director Children and Young People’s Services, Buckinghamshire County Council Young Reviewers Programme, Aylesbury

Thanks for the well-planned presentations you gave to our school. It was tailored to our needs and will be built on over the coming months.

Teacher, Bishop Justus School Careers presentation

I got on stage for the one and only time in my life; a scary but worthwhile experience.

Participant, Big Dance

■number of events: 188 ■number of participants: 6,601 ■age range: 4-94September 2011 to August 2012

■number of events: 50 ■number of participants: 3,574 ■age range: 2-85September 2011 to August 2012

Big Dance Carnival, Churchill theatre, BromleyThe Incredible Doctor Guttman, aylesbury Waterside theatre Anna

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Liverpool Empire Theatre Liverpool

The Creative Learning department provides high quality events and activities for groups, schools and individuals to enhance their understanding of the performing arts. We offer an insight into the creative process and the chance to learn about the theatre’s history and operation as a commercial presenting house. Over 100 local people from Liverpool and the local Merseyside area engage in our six weekly performing arts clubs, and we also welcome work experience placements for school pupils and undergraduate students. Our youth theatre performs regularly and has produced a short film for Families Fighting for Justice and the Home Office.

Liverpool Creative Learning is supported by The Empire Theatre (Merseyside) Trust Ltd (charity number 509458).

The Empire is the place I gained all the confidence I have today.

Participant Empire Youth Theatre

■number of events: 265 ■number of participants: 3,405 ■age range: 4–90September 2011 to August 2012

Annie, Stage experience, Liverpool empire

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King’s Theatre & Theatre Royal glasgow

The Creative Learning programme offers a diverse mix of activities for people of all ages to enjoy, take part and connect with our theatres. From production-linked activities that open the door to the artists and creative minds behind the performances on stage, to tailor made learning programmes for schools, colleges and community groups, we aim to engage with the widest possible groups of people.

Our programme has developed hugely in recent years and, with funding from Creative Scotland, we commissioned a ground-breaking new production with Matthew Bourne’s New Adventures, Lord of the Flies, which brought together professional dancers and local young men. A highlight in our calendar is the annual community dance festival, Go Dance, which presents work from schools, groups and vocational dance colleges across Scotland and provides a platform on which dancers aged five to 75 can share and celebrate their work. For many groups, it has become embedded in expressive arts curriculum and offers an ideal vehicle for emerging artists and companies.

We work in partnership with Glasgow City Council and other neighbouring local authorities, arts organisations, producers and agencies and, as part of the Federation of Scottish Theatre, continue to expand our programme of accessible performances in both venues.

Curriculum for Excellence at its best.

Her Majesty’s Inspector of Education Lord of the Flies project

I got to be on the King’s Theatre stage, the same as Michael Jackson and so many amazing actors... that’s pretty cool.

Participant The Ripple Effect


theatrical make-up workshop, glasgow theatre royal



Milton Keynes Theatre Milton Keynes

Richmond Theatre richmond, London

The Creative Learning department offers a wide variety of opportunities for people of all ages, widening access to the theatre in our local community, building audiences and inspiring people of all walks of life to participate in the arts. We work closely with visiting companies to offer special workshops and post-show talks to our community. Our popular 12 weekly performance classes give both adults and children the opportunity to train in drama, singing and dance, with bursaries offered for students from low income families. The theatre offers several work experience placements a year alongside career days for secondary schools and colleges and a summer Stage Experience. The department also programmes all assisted performances and runs an access steering group to gather feedback from patrons.

Milton Keynes Creative Learning works with schools, colleges and universities as well as local organisations and businesses.

The Creative Learning department works with a broad range of people from the local community and the wider London area, ranging from pre-school children to retirees. At the core of the department’s work lies a series of well-established participatory courses. Complementing these are our heritage learning projects, work experience schemes, careers activities, workshops and talks, which support visiting productions. We regularly welcome families to the theatre to participate in tours and free storytelling sessions, and engage with adults with learning difficulties through our relationship with Richmond Mencap.

Richmond Creative Learning is supported by Richmond Theatre Trust (charity number 801610). We have partnerships with The Orange Tree Theatre, the Museum of Richmond, The Jack Petchey Foundation, The Challenge Network, Duke Street Church, and schools, nurseries and colleges. We are part of the steering group for Dramatic Edge, the borough’s umbrella body for drama in schools. My sincere congratulations on

the production of Guys and Dolls. To have Milton Keynes Theatre as a producing house is wonderful and the work that was produced was truly amazing.

Milton Keynes Local Business Stage Experience

I feel proud and lucky to have been part of The Ripple Effect. It was a unique experience to be a small part of a nationwide project.

Participant The Ripple Effect

By giving young people in the borough challenging and educational arts experiences, Richmond Theatre is inspiring diverse and innovative practitioners of the future.

Denise Toye Employer Engagement Co-ordinator Richmond Education & Business Partnership

Thank you for the tour of Richmond Theatre. It was a magical experience. I will never forget it, ever! It was an amazing experience for me because I have a dream of being an actress, and this was an amazing chance for my dream to begin.

Participant, Aged 8 Family Tour



RAW dance project, Milton Keynes theatre

Promenade performance, richmond theatre Open Day

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Regent Theatre & Victoria Hall Stoke-on-trent

Sunderland Empire Theatre Sunderland

The Creative Learning department places the theatres at the centre of the community, nurturing active citizenship and offering a platform for schools, community groups and the general public to stage and share creative work. We also showcase the talents of Stoke-on-Trent through three annual arts events: the Regent Theatre Dance Festival, the Bertarelli Creative Minds Festival and Stage Experience. We develop pathways to further education, training and employment through our regular activities and classes, engaging with people of all ages, faiths, backgrounds and ethnicities.

Stoke Creative Learning is supported by Stoke-on-Trent Theatres Trust (charity number 1142214) and has partnerships with local schools, colleges and universities, as well as local councils.

The Creative Learning programme aims to widen access to the Empire Theatre, offering diverse multi-arts activities designed to engage a wide cross-section of the community. From tailored workshops for school groups to the annual summer Stage Experience project, our goal is to enhance the experience of visiting our theatre. The Empire is committed to providing theatre experiences for disadvantaged and disabled groups, as well as hosting work experience and technical placements for young people.

Sunderland Creative Learning works with Sunderland City Council, Sunderland Youth Service, and Gentoo, as well as with schools and colleges. We are grateful for sponsorship from many companies and individuals, and support from the Empire Theatre Trust (charity number 502333).

Being able to perform onstage in front of a live audience is a memory that will last a lifetime for everyone involved.

Debby Heavey Headteacher Bertarelli Creative Minds Festival

It was really scary before we went on but it was AWESOME doing it.

Participant ELITE Special Needs Group

■number of events: 158 ■number of participants: 30,983 ■age range: 7+September 2011 to August 2012

■number of events: 53 ■number of participants: 1,978 ■age range: 5–70+September 2011 to August 2012

It was amazing to see all of the children fully engaged in an activity that they would have found very difficult to do in school. Fantastic!

Mrs Monk Year 4 teacher Shiney Row Primary School Theatre Experience programme

Relevant, engaging and exciting! The session gave the children opportunities to explore, question and even perform.

Miss Robson Reception teacher Barnes Infant School Theatre tourBertarelli Creative Minds Festival, Stoke-on-trent



New Wimbledon Theatre Wimbledon, London

West End Theatres London

The Creative Learning programme connects the theatre with hundreds of people every year. As well as activities such as Q&As and workshops ranging from pantomime to gospel, we host a theatre summer school on the main stage and our Youth Theatre and its Youth Theatre Board, with members aged 11–18 from diverse backgrounds. Special projects allow us to collaborate with secondary and special schools, Pupil Referral Units and community organisations in our local borough of Merton. Many of these projects tackle current affairs and social issues of significance to the young participants.

NWT Creative Learning is supported by the Wimbledon Civic Theatre Trust (charity number 1011660) and the Ian Taylor Foundation. We have partnerships with the LB Merton Youth Inclusion team, Merton Chamber of Commerce, and South Thames College, as well as local schools and colleges.

In London our Creative Learning programme supports the productions in our 12 West End theatres. Our workshops are most frequently show-related, to accompany visits to the West End from schools and community groups travelling from all over the UK and internationally. Our workshops are tailored to the objectives of each group leader, and take place in our theatres and occasionally in schools. Additionally, the West End theatres jointly host the biannual Work in Theatre course, to give young people a taste of working in the West End and the various industry roles. Q&As, platforms, tours and careers events also complement the programme of world-renowned musicals and plays.

West End Creative Learning has partnerships with the Society of London Theatre, Mousetrap Theatre Projects, the National Skills Academy (Creative & Cultural Skills), the Royal Court Theatre, the Prince’s Foundation for Children & the Arts, Action for Children’s Arts, WST Travel and the BRIT School. We take part in annual industry events TheatreCraft and EducationLive.

Every pupil from the Upper School came to the exhibition and said it was ‘awesome’ which really helped re-integrate these previously isolated students with the rest of their peers.

Teacher Cricket Green School ‘SAFE’ Project

The best thing about our youth theatre is that I can be myself – or anyone else – with no judgments.

Participant NWT Youth Theatre

I was particularly impressed that the workshop leader had tailored the workshop to fit the requirements of the exam question as I had requested – it gave the girls plenty to write about.

Teacher Jumpy workshop with the Royal Court Theatre

Huge thanks for organising such a terrifically successful Study Day on Tuesday. I had so much positive feedback and more complimentary emails winging my way than I have ever had in my life.

Participant and organiser University of the Third Age Study Day at the Playhouse Theatre

■number of events: 48 ■number of participants: 4,163■age range: 8-18September 2011 to August 2012

■number of events: 53 ■number of participants: 1,978 ■age range: 5–70+September 2011 to August 2012

Summer school, new Wimbledon theatre

Spamalot workshop, West end

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