£3,000 Grant Helps Take Theatre Into Local Communities
The donation, alongside support from other funders, makes possible the Theatre’s DNA (Developing New Audiences) scheme. By taking high quality theatre into Bristol’s local communities where cultural resources are most limited, this initiative aims to introduce new audiences to theatre.
This November DNA is touring Flies, an edgy black comedy about one man’s fear of flies, presented by Pins and Needles Productions. The production is running for three weeks at the Tobacco Factory’s Brewery Theatre before going on the road, stopping at the Merchants’ Academy (8 November), the Bridge Learning Campus (9 November) and Fairfield High School (10 November).
Carrie Rhys-Davies, Education Officer at the Tobacco Factory Theatre explains: “The DNA project is deliberately aimed at areas of Bristol which face greater social and economic challenges than others. Our main interest is to reach out to people less likely to be aware of or able to visit theatres in the city because of geographical, awareness or financial barriers.
“We are aiming to inspire young people to further their interest in theatre, enriching the lives of those in the local communities through the opportunity to experience high quality theatre in their own neighbourhoods and stimulating the engagement of communities with their local schools and learning centres.”
Giles Clarke, the Master of the Society of Merchant Venturers said: “We are delighted to support the Tobacco Factory Theatre and the DNA programme. This is a valuable resource for Bristol’s young people, giving some their first opportunity to develop a potentially lifelong relationship with theatre. This is in keeping with our core objective of encouraging learning and the development of skills.”
Commenting on the Merchant Venturers’ support, Carrie said: “The Merchants’ donation will enable us to build on the success of the pilot year by starting to knit the DNA initiative into the cultural fabric of a core group of secondary schools and their surrounding communities. It will enable us to commit to developing sustainable relationships with these communities, providing an increasing range of enhanced engagement opportunities to support the initiative’s aim of breaking down the barriers to experiencing and participating in high quality performing arts.”
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