update report - Summer 2025

We really are global now! Our brand-new Education Hub launched last month, and among the 157 teachers and educators who signed up were participants from as far afield as Australia and Chile. The feedback so far has been enthusiastic – especially for our first webinar, which introduced materials on backstage theatre roles.

We’re excited to be developing this resource further in the coming months, expanding materials for younger learners and for US schools. If you’re curious to see what we’ve created so far, you’ll find the sign-up form under the Menu tab on our website. The materials are free and designed for busy teachers who want to bring theatre to life in the classroom.

Of course, resources like the Education Hub are only part of the story. The real measure of our work is what young people take away from a theatre experience –whether it’s their first time through the doors or the moment something clicks and they’re hooked.

One show that never fails to spark rave reviews from young people is West End hit Wicked. That’s why we’re particularly delighted to extend our relationship with this magical musical for another year. Here’s what some recent attendees from Milton Keynes Academyand Bromstone Primary School had to say: 

“I couldn’t look away the whole time. It was definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience I will never forget.”

“It was the best show I've ever seen and has inspired me to go and see more in the future.”

The feedback from teachers often tells its own story:

“As the show began, the children were visibly captivated, with many sitting open-mouthed in awe.”

It’s exciting to see the theatre works! team growing with people who bring a deep love and knowledge of the theatre. Three new faces are helping us do just that – Abbey White, our new Grants & Outreach Coordinator, and Briony Barnett, who joins us in a volunteer role focused on theatre partnerships. Rachel Connor, another new volunteer, joins the team with responsibility for uncovering research around the impact of the arts. You can read more about them below.

And for those who saw the Spring newsletter (still available in our News section) and are wondering if we decided to give late night partying a rest – well, Graham’s still recovering. But rest assured, we’re still whirling away behind the scenes.

Wishing you a joyful summer,
Sharon
Chair & Co-founder

What's New in the Education Hub?

The Education Hub is officially live! Following months of development by our Education Coordinator Lucy Bellingham, we launched the first three modules in May with an introductory webinar focused on backstage theatre roles. Early feedback from teachers has been encouraging. The materials are designed to support schools that might not otherwise have access to drama education material.

We were pleased to launch the Education Hub with another charity, Get Into Theatre, which creates bite-sized videos and other useful materials to introduce young people to a wide range of theatre roles. Take a look at the inspirational clip from Lauren, a technician in Stockton on Tees, and director Adam Penford.

What’s next? We’re now adapting our existing modules to meet the curriculum and context of US schools, where theatre works! has now sent students to over 15 productions. Our goal is to ensure all materials are easy to implement and flexible enough for teachers to use on their own terms.

If you are interested in using the materials – or just having a look – you can register online and gain access to the materials. And if you want to watch the webinar, there’s a link here.

Wicked extends partnership with further £10,000 ticket grant

We’re thrilled to share that the producers at Wicked have extended their incredible support for theatre works! by donating a further £10,000 worth of tickets for this coming school year. This continued partnership means even more children and young people will have the chance to experience the magic of live theatre at one of the West End’s most iconic shows. We’re deeply grateful to the Wicked team for recognising the value of what we do and helping us make unforgettable theatre experiences accessible to those who might otherwise miss out.

Do you know a school that might be eligible for a Wicked experience? If so, encourage them to apply here.

Meet the New Team Members 

Abbey White comes to theatre works! as our new Grants & Outreach Coordinator. Abbey joins us from her role as Marketing Manager at Wicked, where she helped coordinate the generous ticket donations that introduces so many young people to live theatre. Abbey also volunteers with the charity Spread a Smile, singing for children in hospitals – a reminder of the power of performance to uplift and connect.

We’re also thrilled to welcome Briony Barnett, a respected casting specialist, to a new part-time volunteer role at theatre works!. Briony has worked with a range of regional and London-based theatres, including the Kiln and Bristol Old Vic. Her focus will be to help us deepen our relationships with theatres and encourage them to reach out to schools that meet our eligibility criteria. She’ll help theatres make the most of our Education Hub and encourage them to offer educational add-ons – from Q&As to backstage tours – that enrich the theatre works! experience for young audiences.

Finally, Rachel Connor joins us as our Research & Evaluation Advisor. Rachel brings nearly 30 years’ experience as research analyst for a number of UK government departments. Most recently, she led national research on children and families' health, helping to inform policy decisions at the highest level. It has been challenging to keep up with all the research about the impact of the arts on a young person’s life so she’ll review that material and make recommendations on how we can use it to make the greatest impact.

Make it Monthly, Make it Matter 

Just £15 a month can give twelve children each year their first-ever trip to the theatre. Regular donations help us plan ahead and reach more children who might otherwise miss out on live theatre. All money raised in the UK is spent in the UK–and the same goes for donations made in the USA.