Case Study
Theatre Shed
Investment in the leadership of Theatre Shed: funding the Artistic Director’s role to provide stability and enable development of outreach work
(Above) Photo Credit: Christopher Hall
Fund and priority area: Strategic Fund – Culture: A resilient cultural sector
Who: Theatre Shed is an inclusive theatre company based in Buckinghamshire offering weekly sessions and performances including drama, music and dance. The company’s ethos is to welcome young people of all abilities and from every walk of life to come together and nurture their confidence and creativity.
What: In 2022, a three-year grant supporting the Artistic Director’s salary was confirmed. This enabled Theatre Shed to have a full-time member of staff in the post for the first time.
- This central role, along with a team of staff and volunteers, delivered weekly Children’s and Youth Theatre Groups for 80 young people. A winter pantomime called ‘Grow Up’, based on Peter Pan, exploring themes of wellbeing and mental health was devised, scripted and performed by members.
- The Artistic Director and Outreach and Development Manager led workshops and assemblies with 12 local schools and community groups reaching an additional 1,000 children in addition to Theatre Shed’s regular membership. They have also increased participation of children on free schools meals.
- Theatre Shed has shared their work at several community events including Christmas in Chesham, a summer carnival and the first ever Chesham Fringe Festival.
- In-kind support from Chiltern Hills Academy has been secured, providing a more accessible and appealing venue for Theatre Shed.
She loves coming and feels valued here more than anywhere. The acceptance and lack of judgement that is such an integral part of Theatre Shed has had a profound impact on her confidence and openness to other people.
(Parent of Theatre Shed member)
(Above) Photo Credit: Christopher Hall
Learning:
- Feedback from parents and carers has been positive. 98% said Theatre Shed had a positive impact on their child’s mental health and 100% said it had a positive impact on confidence.
- Theatre Shed has performed at more community events than in previous years. This work is not covered by usual staff contracts and so it puts pressure on budgets and a strain on the team. Core funding would be a solution but has been challenging to secure.
- The Artistic Director sees value in pilots of new work and more focus on evaluation and learning to secure more multi-year, core support that will continue the development of Theatre Shed.
