update report - Autumn 2025

There’s nothing like hearing directly from young people about the power of theatre. Earlier this term, 180 pupils aged 13–15 from eight different schools saw Liberation at the Manchester Royal Exchange. Their reactions say it all:

'The show was emotional and powerful. The actors brought so much energy and honesty, it felt very real.'

'It was creative and had surprising moments that made you stop and think.'

'You learnt things they don’t really teach in schools and should be more talked about.'

Theatre gives young people permission to ask questions and imagine new possibilities. For many, it’s also a first glimpse behind the curtain - a discovery of the teamwork, imagination, and technical skill that go into creating a live performance. These moments of wonder can spark a lifelong interest and potentially lead to a career in the Creative Industries. 

Thanks to your generosity, since we started four years ago more than 24,000 children and young people from underserved communities have been able to share this experience. Our Education Hub that we launched in May is also thriving, with over 300 UK teachers signing into the Hub. We are working on material for younger students as well as developing materials for the US. 

On a personal note, Graham has temporarily lost his crown as the “dancing king” after spraining his ankle, though he assures you he’ll soon be back on his feet, although sadly not in sequins. 

Thank you, as always, for helping us open the door to creative opportunities for thousands of young people.

With warmest wishes,
Sharon

Above: Pupils experience Liberation at the Manchester Royal Exchange

Behind the Magic: How Theatre Builds Careers

The skills nurtured in theatre can fuel wider interest in the Creative Industries such as advertising, video games, animation, publishing and film. In 2023 these industries generated £124 billion and employed 2.4 million people, while in the US arts and culture contributed $1.17 trillion to the economy. Theatre is not just art: it’s part of one of the fastest-growing sectors in both countries.

Theatre is often a child’s first real glimpse of how many skills and people it takes to make the magic happen. That first encounter is not only exciting, it also lays the groundwork for creative thinking, a theme we build on through our education materials.

While many people only think of acting when they consider theatre careers, a single production can involve more than 20 backstage roles - from lighting and sound to design and stage management - many of them permanent jobs.

Backstage Learning - Classroom Resources That Inspire

We have created a resource for students aged 13+ called Backstage Roles in Practice. This encourages students to independently research the amazing resources and videos created by the charity Get into Theatre, introducing them to the many backstage roles that bring productions to life. For younger students, our Be the Detective lesson uses The Lion King to explore design and technical theatre in a fun, accessible way.

St Oswald’s Primary in Kidderminster recently attended a matinee performance of Wicked. Their Wednesday matinees feature a Q & A following the performance that introduces them to both actors plus a variety of technical roles. A teacher noted, ‘Lots of children wouldn’t have realised there is more to a show than just the actors.’

Afterwards, 75% of surveyed pupils said they now want to learn more about careers in theatre and the creative industries — exactly the shift in aspiration we aim to spark. As one child said, ‘The lesson made me think about the different jobs people could have in theatre.’

Above: 200 children from three schools visited The Kings Theatre Glasgow in July to experience The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe

How Your Gift Reaches Young People

Our fundraising team is growing. With support from volunteer Jonathan Watts, we’ve begun corporate outreach and were delighted to receive a £5,000 gift from Navera Investment Management’s charity committee. Looking ahead, we’ve been accepted in the December Big Give matching funds campaign. A new US matching scheme is also in development for December. You’ll be hearing more about this in our next newsletter.

Donors rightly want to see impact. That’s why we collect feedback from children and teachers after every visit, and now from classrooms using our resources. These voices provide the clearest evidence of the difference your support makes - and we’d be glad to share more of this information if that would be of interest. Drop us a note at info@theatreworks.com if you would like to discuss this.

Volunteer Grants Coordinator

This important volunteer position reviews incoming grant applications and helps guide schools and theatres through the application process. It’s just two to three hours a week, and there are some months with very little activity. Read about it on our website.

Easyfundraising

Calling all our UK supporters: did you know that theatre works! is now part of the Easyfundraising scheme? This popular platform works with thousands of retailers who will automatically donate a percentage of your online spend to a chosen charity when you shop with them via the Easyfundraising website. Whether it's your regular supermarket order, a hotel booking or car insurance renewal, this is a brilliant way to support us that won't cost you anything. Take a look here for more information about how the initiative works and its simple sign up process (although we've found the optional browser extension requires enhanced IT stamina). In the words of one Easyfundraising-affiliated retailer: "Every little helps!"