Here at Norwich Theatre, we have been inspiring audiences for nearly 300 years, but our impact goes even further. And now we are asking for the support of our audiences.
As well as the fantastic shows we are best known for bringing to the region, we offer creative experiences across the board, from nurturing local talent to take part sessions with babies, people living with dementia, refugees and communities. We are a theatre and learning charity that uses creativity to bring joy, improve wellbeing, and create togetherness.
Norfolk is home to some of the country’s 10% most deprived areas. Our children are doing less well in school than their peers elsewhere in the country. Older adults feel more lonely, disconnected and isolated than ever before, and thousands of people continue to seek refuge here yearly.
Miche Montague is Creative Communities Producer at Norwich Theatre and delivers our Theatre: Makers: Being Migrant project, which invites migrants, refugees and asylum seekers to share their stories in a safe and creative space. She embodies the belief that the arts encourage conversation and regenerate communities:
“Theatre has a magical way of bringing people together. We offer opportunities for new collaborations that develop individual journeys and a sense of community. We offer a cultural platform for people to express themselves without judgment.”
The participants in the project ranged in age, with originating home countries of Turkey, Russia, Ukraine and South Africa. Three participants had been in this country for less than four months. One couple had a small child. They were new to this country and did not trust anyone to care for their daughter, so she came along too. The mother said:
“We were missing this feeling in our home country. Because of the pandemic, because of my pregnancy, and because of being a full-time mother, I used to think that I lost my acting skills. But, with this process, I found the power, that power inside of me again.”
Chief Executive & Creative Director of Norwich Theatre, Stephen Crocker, explains how Norwich Theatre is having an impact locally:
“We work with charity, school and artistic partners to create projects that support and enhance emotional wellbeing, develop skills, and inspire ambition. We take our creative experiences into the community to reach those who cannot access theatre by traditional means. We have programmes like My Theatre and bursaries to enable free and low-cost opportunities to take part in our creative experiences.
“There is a huge opportunity to broaden what we can offer to break down real and perceived barriers and bring creativity to everyone.
“But these are challenging times. Norwich Theatre is unique because it is not regularly subsidised by any public sources.”
In response, we are excited to launch our new Ambassadors scheme, which makes supporting Norwich Theatre easy and effective. We are asking those who love theatre just as much as we do and share our belief that creativity really does change lives to become a member today.
From £300 a year (or just £25 a month), we’ll take you to the heart of what we do and who we are, with special events, exclusive benefits and behind-the-scenes access. As part of our Ambassadors community, members will receive all the perks of being a Gold Friend of Norwich Theatre, including priority booking, discounts on tickets, and more! More importantly, you will also be making a vital charitable donation to the charity.
Friends and Supporters Manager, Hannah Crouch, describes the importance of giving:
“Our supporters have always been fundamental to our work. By making an annual commitment through our Ambassadors scheme, they help us not only to make a difference today but to plan for our future together; bringing about social change and generating prosperity in all its forms.
“Every pound our Ambassadors generously donate is spent on education, creative engagement and artistic development activities in the community.
“Many people are not aware that we are a charity, and I’d encourage anyone who’d like to learn more to get in touch.”
You can find more information about our Ambassadors scheme and join here or by emailing development@norwichtheatre.org or through the Box Office by calling 01603 630 000.