Arts Award and technical theatre: creating an inclusive, diverse environment

Launching our ‘backstage and technical theatre’ theme on the blog during October, Lucy Driver, Youth Theatre Leader at The Warehouse Theatre in Ilminster, Somerset shares with us how they offer a broad range of theatre based activities and encourage a young person-focussed approach to delivering Arts Award.

The Warehouse Theatre is owned and run by Ilminster Entertainments Society (IES), a registered charity. The society presents six productions in the theatre every year as well as two youth theatre productions. About thirty five years ago we were lucky enough to obtain premises at the former fruit and vegetable warehouse on Brewery Lane. Through lots of hard work, grants, and donations a theatre was formed which now seats 150 people and represents one of the most well-equipped, professional standard amateur theatres in the county. The theatre now stages IES productions as well as outside theatre and musical companies and also plays host to Ilminster Cinema Club, Ile Valley Flower Club, and many other social clubs. We have recently expanded and are weeks away from opening up an additional performance and rehearsal space called the Warehouse Theatre Bakery Studio.

​We  decided to offer Arts Award at The Warehouse Theatre as a way to engage any young people aged 6 - 18 who may not be interested in performing on stage but still want to be involved in the theatre. Arts Award allows them to participate in various technical and creative activities that contribute to a production’s success. We run sessions for Arts Award Discover during the summer, while the Explore, Bronze, and Silver levels are delivered at the beginning of the spring term.

Our decision to deliver Arts Award was driven by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the pandemic, our trustees recognised the need to rebuild the confidence of our Youth Theatre members and find new ways to bring young people back into the theatre space. Our goal was to re-engage them by offering a broader range of activities that would appeal to those not necessarily drawn to performance.

We started by offering Discover and Explore, running weekly sessions focused on a variety of artistic disciplines (Part A of Discover & Explore). For our technical theatre week, the group found out about the technical and creative roles that are crucial to any production (contributing towards Part B of Discover & Explore). We then got the children to have a go at designing sets, costumes, and makeup, while also introducing them to some basic concepts in lighting design (Part A of Discover & Explore). We gave them considerable freedom to interpret these tasks as they wished, though we provided prompts and guidance for those who needed extra support.

One of the unique aspects of our centre is that it operates outside of a school setting. This means that many of the youth theatre attendees do not know each other prior to attending, so we aim to foster a welcoming and inclusive environment from the outset. I found that starting each weekly Discover session with a group discussion about their experiences with the arts that week was a great icebreaker (Part A – Discover). It allows the children to reflect on their creative experiences and helped them connect with one another. At the end of each session, we also encourage the students to share their favourite part of the day or explain what they didn’t enjoy and why (Part C – Share). This reflective element is particularly rewarding, especially for younger children who may be new to the theatre environment, as it helps them express themselves and feel more comfortable in the group.

As the participants advance to Explore, Bronze, and Silver, they begin to take on more complex challenges. For example, they work on monologues, with those in the Silver programme taking on directorial roles. These young directors guide the other children, helping them consider costume choices, lighting effects, sound, and makeup. The collaborative nature of these activities culminate in a final performance in front of an audience of family, friends, and fellow Youth Theatre members. Seeing the pride they take in their work was one of the highlights of the award.

One of the key practices we’ve embraced is making the sessions as student-led as possible. By allowing young people to take ownership of their projects and step into leadership roles, we’ve seen incredible growth in their confidence. Taking a step back as a facilitator has been one of the most rewarding aspects of running the program. While I’m always there to support their learning and provide materials as needed, it’s the students who drive the sessions. They plan the activities, lead the group, and teach one another through collaboration and shared enthusiasm for their projects.

This approach not only builds confidence but also fosters a strong sense of community and teamwork. The children learn to trust each other’s ideas, communicate effectively, and problem-solve as a group. They’re not just learning about the arts and sharing their knowledge with others; they’re developing valuable life skills that will serve them in whatever they choose to pursue in the future.

Our experience of delivering Arts Award has been overwhelmingly positive, both for the Youth Theatre members and for our theatre community as a whole. It has opened up new avenues for participation in the arts, ensuring that there’s something for everyone, whether they want to be on stage or behind the scenes. We’ve seen children who were initially hesitant to get involved in theatre become more confident, not just in their creative abilities but in themselves as individuals.

Ultimately, Arts Award has helped us create a more inclusive and diverse environment where every child has the opportunity to discover their creative potential. It has also allowed us to expand the reach of our Youth Theatre, bringing in young people who might not have previously considered theatre as something they could be a part of. By offering a wide range of activities that appeal to different interests, we’ve created a program that’s accessible, engaging, and empowering for all.

We’re excited to continue to offer Arts Award and to see how it evolves in the future. The positive impact it’s had on our Youth Theatre members so far has been clear, and we look forward to helping even more young people explore the diverse world of theatre, both on and off the stage.

Photos by The Warehouse Theatre