Lifestyle

Key 103 Cash for Kids supports Theatre’s work with Schools

Aimee Belmore July 12, 2017

A GENEROUS £1,250 grant from Key 103 Cash for Kids will allow Oldham Coliseum Theatre to extend its exciting work with schools.

The Coliseum’s Learning and Engagement Department works with schools, community groups and young people to engage them in the theatre, build relationships, promote community cohesion and support learning through drama.

In 2016 Key 103 Cash for Kids supported a successful pilot project which enabled the theatre to develop a programme of activities, training and mentoring, and engaged ten local schools in an on-going partnership.

The Coliseum’s Education Partnership Scheme gives students the opportunity to take part in master classes with theatre specialists, visit the Coliseum to see productions and work together to co-write and produce an inter-school performance on the theatre’s Main Stage.

The performance entitled ‘Reasons To Be Cheerful’ by pupils from Middleton Technology College on the Coliseum’s Secondary Partnership Scheme. (picture thanks to Joel Chester Fildes)

Now they are thrilled to have received the investment again for 2017.

Carly Henderson, Head of Learning and Engagement, Oldham Coliseum Theatre, said: “We’re delighted to have once again received investment from Key 103 Cash for Kids to develop and grow our engagement with young people in local schools.

“This support will enable us to continue providing high quality cultural education to young people and will provide some with their very first experiences of performing in a professional theatre space.”

Cash for Kids is the official charity of Key 103 and it responds to the needs of disabled and disadvantaged children across Greater Manchester so they can live life to the full and realise their individual potential.

Russell Feingold, Key 103 Cash for Kids Charity Manager, said: “We’re so pleased to continue supporting Oldham Coliseum Theatre.

“The work they do in the community and for local schools is of such vital importance.

“The money we’re grant funding will support a program helping a further 65 children and we’re extremely proud to be able to make a difference with them.”

Oldham Coliseum Theatre’s Schools Partnership work for the 2017-18 academic year will begin with classroom-based workshops in September 2017 leading to an inter-school performance at the theatre in March 2018.