Inspiring young people into world of theatre
AN INITIATIVE to educate young people from all backgrounds about the creative industries to fill a looming skills gap is to be launched in Yorkshire in coming days.
The Inspiring the Future Ambassador Scheme, leaning on the support of professionals from artistic directors to costume cutters, aims to open up opportunities within theatre to those from more diverse backgrounds, improving links between schools and their local theatres. Many of those who go on to forge careers within the industry are from affluent, traditional backgrounds, research has found, and the scheme aims to target economically or culturally deprived areas to bring in new talent, representative of its audiences.
The campaign, launched between the Society of London Theatre (SOLT), UK Theatre and Inspiring the Future, is to be officially launched in Scarborough on Wednesday with the support of Northstead Community Primary School. More than 150 Year 6 students from surrounding schools are to take part in activities led by ambassadors from nearby Stephen Joseph Theatre.
“It’s really vital to represent everybody in society – that’s people from all backgrounds, social economic groups and ethnicity,” said Cassie Chadderton, head of UK Theatre. “This is about reaching out to young people at a really early stage, even at primary school. We want to talk to young people to show them what theatre is all about. It can be hugely rewarding to be involved in a creative career. It’s about bringing all the joy and excitement of theatre into young people’s lives.”
The initiative, backed by more than 500 ambassadors including playwright James Graham, actresses, directors, and lighting technicians, will also see films made for schools to show the world behind the curtain.
Ambassador Michèle Taylor said: “The theatre industry needs all sorts of highly trained professionals from different backgrounds and with different life experiences, so it’s a joy to inspire the next generation to pursue careers in all elements of the theatre.”