chickenshed theatre company
London
We've been making pioneering, beautiful and inclusive theatre for over 40 years.
And we're just getting started... Chickenshed is an inclusive theatre company
that first began in 1974. Primarily based at our own purpose-built venue in
North London, we create theatre for all ages and run successful outreach
projects, education courses and membership programmes throughout the year. We
are also a registered charity and rely heavily on the generous support of
individuals, companies, trusts and foundations in order to continue our
pioneering work. Performance Entertaining and thought-provoking Performance is
at the heart of everything that we do, and brings together all aspects of the
company. Our work uses the stage to celebrate diversity and performance as a
vehicle to communicate with audiences and tackle topical social issues. We
regularly present original and entertaining productions for young children,
families and adults. We also create new work, inspired by the people around us,
about personal and social issues that affect society today which we then take on
tour to theatres, community centres and schools across the UK. You can visit our
What's On section, to see our upcoming shows and events. Education Because
everyone has a right Chickenshed changes lives by bringing young people from all
social and economic backgrounds, cultures and abilities together to study
creatively alongside each other, many of whom have been marginalised by society
and excluded from mainstream educational settings. We welcome over 200 students
onto our Level 3, Foundation Degree and BA courses every year. 66% of students
would not otherwise have the opportunity to study, yet 95% of these same
students achieve a nationally recognised qualification at Chickenshed.
Participation Celebrating diversity We believe that every person who joins our
company positively changes the way that we work. We work to every individual's
strengths, finding the creative environment that will enable them to flourish.
We hold weekly workshops for over 900 children and young people - providing them
with a safe and rewarding environment where they can gain a new-found confidence
and have the chance to regularly perform in major in-house productions. Outreach
Targeting those who are difficult to reach Chickenshed has established a network
of partners that enables us to effectively target children and young people who
would otherwise not be able to access our work. We regularly take our inclusive
outreach model on the road, delivering over 15 projects and benefiting over
15,000 young people every year in venues ranging from primary schools and young
offender centres, to mainstream and special schools. Our work engages and
educates young people about relevant social issues through the power of
performance and active participation in workshops. ‘You must do the show in my
primary school because that is when everything bad starts.' 13-year-old boy from
a school in London. We also run Shedlink - an ongoing project that enables us to
help community groups set up independent 'Sheds' around the UK (and two in
Russia!) so that more people can benefit from our ethos and teaching style.
Chickenshed Kensington & Chelsea Expanding our work to meet growing need In
2011, we launched our branch in Kensington & Chelsea to bring our work to an
area of London polarised between rich and poor. This will ensure even more
children and young people can experience the importance of being included and
valued; not segregated or rejected. 50% of children in the Borough of Kensington
and Chelsea attend independent schools, yet 42% of children in the Borough are
from low income families. Young Creators Vocational training programme Young
Creators is a professional development programme which launched in 2013,
providing young people with access to training and practical work experience in
a variety of theatre skills. The programme provides a platform which teaches
young people creative skills and arms them with the necessary tools to further
their professional development. Each year, up to 165 Young Creators can benefit
from the programme
