The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation has awarded grants worth a total of £270,690 to 16 projects across the UK and internationally.
It includes £67,777 to fund paid work placements for designers and lighting technicians in leading venues and £53,296 to support drama and dance programmes for young people and emerging talent.
The latest round of grants brings the total awarded by the Foundation to more than £19.5 million.
Andrew Lloyd Webber said, “young and emerging talent needs to be nurtured regardless of an individual’s background. From music master classes and drama workshops to apprenticeship opportunities in the heritage sector, I’m thrilled the Foundation continues to support projects that work towards this important goal.”
The recipients in the current round of grants include ALT actor training company, the Association of Lighting Designers (ALD), Birmingham Royal Ballet, Diversity School Initiative, Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, Sherman Theatre and Tron Theatre, Glasgow.
The Foundation “has continued to champion projects that cultivate a more diverse industry”. The Diversity School Initiative has been granted £10,000 over two years for an outreach programme delivering drama school workshops for young people in areas with a high density of BAME communities in Birmingham, Leicester and Sheffield.
ALT’s free actor training programme for young BAME actors from low-income backgrounds is awarded £15,000 towards a project in partnership with Southwark Playhouse, Birmingham REP and Citizens Theatre, Glasgow.
Support for drama and dance training for young people across the UK has been awarded to Birmingham Royal Ballet whose Dance Track programme receives £15,000 to provide free dance training to 2,600 children and support to 80 talented children from deprived areas in central Birmingham.
Tron Theatre, Glasgow receives £13,296 to provide workshops, masterclasses and careers advice for its young company, supporting members’ transitions from youth to professional theatre.