Be a Dorothy

Level Playing (2016)

Theatre Centre was established in 1953 to bridge the gap between children and theatre, and to show that placing children and young people at the centre of theatre could be transformative. This was an innovation for schools and the theatre sector at the time, leading to the professionalisation of arts in schools, forerunning the T.I.E (Theatre In Education) movement, and draws a line through to the Applied Theatre practices of today. The spirit of innovation continues to drive what we do at theatre Centre and how we do it. 

Brian Way started Theatre Centre with a £200 gift from novelist, Dorothy L Sayers, back in 1953. Today, that gift would be worth £5,423.56 which would pay for a variety of our activities, including: 

• 2 weeks of Creative Roots, our creative careers programme, for up to 60 16-25 year olds
• A writer's commission fee to develop and deliver a brand new play for young people
• 2 artist-in-residence primary school projects with 60 children and their teachers

We're looking for more Dorothys who can support Theatre Centre today to ensure that theatre made for, and with, children and young people continues to inspire and empower change on their terms.

Until September 2019 all cash donations received will be matched, £ for £, through our Arts Council Catalyst Evolve Grant.  

Theatre Centre would not be where it is now without the generous support of individuals like Dorothy L Sayers, and the many grant-giving trusts and bodies who have helped us stand the test of time. 

To find out more about Theatre Centre please visit our website www.theatre-centre.co.uk, where you can also register with CAF Bank for payroll giving and corporate donations. 

Your name doesn't need to be Dorothy to support us, but that would be a brilliant coincidence. 

Creative Roots (2018)
Standpoint (2017)
The Muddy Choir (2018)
Photo credit - Sarah London Photography