Projects

Theatre Pathways

Details

• 2006 - 2009

The aim of this pilot project was to tackle social and economic exclusion by helping young people understand the "business" of theatre and support them to take their first steps into the creative industries. Through Theatre Pathways we provided skills development and work experience in: community arts facilitation; arts administration and marketing; front of house operations and technical stage management.

Graduates of the project have become positive role models who prove to other young people that pathways to new skills and employment in the Theatre and Creative Sector are achievable.

“The Theatre Pathways programme offers a fantastic grounding in the theatre. It gives young people facing exclusion a real chance to demonstrate their talent. Many young people from my constituency have acquired skills through Theatre Pathways and gone on to rewarding careers in the creative industries”

David Lammy – Minister for Innovation, Universities and Skills.

“I was on the programme for about 6 months… then I volunteered at Space in East London, directed shows there and promoted them in Edinburgh ’07… this led to an internship at the Gate Theatre. Pathways was critical because it grounded me in how the industry works in practice.”

Alex, Theatre Pathways participant.

“I wasn’t in education, employment or training. I was a bit lost but now I have had experience with Immediate Theatre I can go to the university of me choice.”

Innie Fryer, Theatre Pathways participant and Immediate Theatre employee

“It was a breath of fresh air in my life… from this I’m going to do a National diploma in Performing Arts and then a one year access to University course.”

Simone, Theatre Pathways participant

You can download "Theatre Pathways: Supported Routes into Theatre and the Creative Sector for Young People aged 14-25 from 2009 to 2012" below, which highlights the impact of the project and looks at its future development.

Theatre Pathways was led in partnership with a steering group from Hackney Theatre Partnership (HTP) and funded by the London Development Agency.

Hackney Theatre Partnership

HTP is made up of eight leading and diverse performance companies working together in Hackney to discover new possibilities and provide enhanced opportunities for theatre audiences and participants.

HTP currently includes the following performing arts companies: Arcola Theatre, Chats Palace Arts Centre, Circus Space, Immediate Theatre, Hackney Empire, Hoxton Hall, Quicksilver Theatre, Theatre Centre.

Downloads

• Theatre Pathways brochure (PDF)

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