York Theatre Royal’s Youth Theatre has been chosen to be part of the Waitrose Community Matters scheme, an initiative to enable branches to support local communities.
The youth theatre is one of three local charities to be supported by the supermarket throughout July. Shoppers receive a green token after each visit, which they can then use to show support for one of the charities. £1000 is then donated by Waitrose which is split between the charities, depending on the proportion of tokens received.
York Theatre Royal Youth Theatre is one of the biggest in the country, with other 370 young members aged 5-19 in 17 weekly groups. The Waitrose Community Matters donation could fund subsidised places for young people to attend weekly sessions, an artist to come and work on a specific project with a youth theatre group, or a mentor to work alongside a young person with additional needs.
The additional funding will mean that the young people’s experiences are even more exciting and accessible, building on the feedback from our groups that their session is the highlight of their week.
Said Kate Plumb, Youth Theatre Director.
York Theatre Royal Youth Theatre started over ten years ago. It is an Arts Award Centre of Excellence ( Regional Award) 2014, and Arts Award Good Practice Centre 2014-15, with over 200 young people achieving their Arts Award qualification with us over the last 5 years. The Youth Theatre produce 14 productions a year, including site specific shows in various locations in York, and studio and main house shows.
If others wish to donate directly to the youth theatre they can do so by contacting [email protected]. The theatre is also raising money for its redevelopment, which will cost £4.1 million. To donate to the project and ensure the theatre can be enjoyed by future generations for years to come please visit www.yorktheatreroyal.co.uk/donate or donate by texting YTRC15 £5 or YTRC15 £10 to 70070