Coventry celebrates 50 years of theatre-in-education

Published: 22 March 2014
Reporter: Steve Orme

Coventry’s Belgrade Theatre will mark the 50th anniversary of setting up its dedicated theatre-in-education company with a year-long festival of events to celebrate and promote theatre for young people.

The Belgrade’s groundbreaking initiative used theatrical performance and drama workshops to explore cultural, social, political and moral issues that affect young people spread to theatres across the UK.

Nearly 50 years on, it is considered a standard for theatre and education organisations.

To celebrate the anniversary, the theatre will be hosting in 2015 a series of events including an international festival of innovative theatre work both by and for young people; a conference addressing the importance that engagement in theatre and education can play; and a digital project that aims to explore TiE for the future.

Justine Themen, the Belgrade’s associate director, explains, “The impact of the Belgrade TiE company has been extraordinary: the strength of its work and the determination of its members have ensured that its legacy continues to be felt internationally.”

The Belgrade also has a strong tradition of youth theatre. It currently runs eight youth theatre groups and five groups that target young people from black, Asian and socially disadvantaged backgrounds.

The theatre is developing partnerships with a range of organisations to deliver the events and would welcome additional approaches from interested parties.

More information is available from the community and education department on 024 7684 6741 or by e-mail at [email protected].