The Dukes in Lancaster has won a prestigious award for supporting young people who want to work in creative industries.
The theatre scooped the 2018 Creative Careers Champion Award at the North West Cultural Education Awards ceremony in Preston.
The award recognised The Dukes' approach to supporting young people aiming for a career in the arts.
Initiatives include Young Creatives which provides work experience, volunteering and internship opportunities for those aged 18 plus who can also benefit from the Bespoke Artist Support and Exchange (BASE), a new network for directors, actors, designers, dancers and artists in Lancaster district.
Opportunities for everyone to develop their skills, confidence and social life are being offered by The Dukes.
Hourglass, the Lancaster theatre’s intergenerational group who meet on Thursdays, has proved so successful that it has extended its reach to everyone aged 40 plus who will have the chance to work with young people on original drama projects.
Another Dukes theatre group—Redbananallama, for adults with additional needs—also provides opportunities every Monday to try out performance skills including music, poetry, acting and devising, leading to a show later next year.
Meanwhile, the new term will see The Dukes Young Company preparing for a production to be performed in The Round next spring. From Empire To Exit will feature scenes from 200 years of British drama, from 1819—the year of Queen Victoria’s birth—to 2019 when the UK leaves the European Union.