THE PORT of Tilbury continued their support of the local community by providing a further £10,000 sponsorship to local theatre group, THEATRE IS…
The Port of Tilbury, a strategic partner of THEATRE IS… are continuing three years of previous support with a further 2-year sponsorship which is aimed at getting young people involved with the arts and theatre. The Port of Tilbury’s donation has enabled THEATRE IS… and partners, including the Gateway Learning Community, another strategic partner of THEATRE IS…, to raise over £60000, used to fund youth projects. The aims of these projects, running from 2013-2015 will be to engage 315 young people in performance, with audiences of over 1600 members of the community. It is also expected that 121 young people will receive nationally accredited Arts Awards.
These aims and objectives have wider-reaching impacts, including an increase in the aspirations of young people to continue into further or higher education, a greater sense of wellbeing for families in Tilbury, and a generally improved perception of the Tilbury area.
Projects currently underway, with sponsorship from the Port of Tilbury, include Donkeyskin (May-July 2013) which gives 15 aspiring young dancers the opportunity to work with the Royal Opera House and ECO, a French ballet company and achieve their Bronze Arts Award.
In October 2013, THEATRE IS… will build on last year’s highly successful launch of the festival Totally Tilbury, which takes place at the Port of Tilbury London Cruise Terminal. The festival gives 100 young members of the community the chance to perform to over 400 audience members across 3 days. This year will also see the premiere of a new professional show, FreeFall, a tightrope performance originally developed at the Terminal.
THEATRE IS… hope to use the sponsorship for playwriting, festivals and primary school projects in 2014.
Final Draft
Lynda Viccars, Cruise Terminal and Community Liaison Manager at The Port of Tilbury said:
“The Port of Tilbury are delighted to support THEATRE IS… with their performing arts projects which provide excellent opportunities for local young, creative people and their families in the community. The London Cruise Terminal, with its wonderful acoustics and facilities, provides a unique venue for theatre and musical productions giving local youth a memorable experience.”
Stuart Mullins, Creative Director and CEO of THEATRE IS… said: “The Port of Tilbury have been a valued partner of THEATRE IS… for a number of years now, and we fully welcome their continued support. I hope that together we can improve the skills and aspirations of young people in the area.”
