Project

Winner

Iris Theatre works with young emerging artists to help develop the next generation of theatre professionals and puts on interactive, site specific, all encompassing shows for all the family.

What does your charity/project do?

Iris Theatre has been working since 2006 to support the emergence of the next generation of theatre artists. Our productions are put together by a team of young theatrical practitioners, just starting out in the business. These include actors, musicians, singers, dancers, directors, theatre designers, lighting designers, stage technicians and stage managers, who all have the chance to work in the grade one-listed architectural masterpiece that is St Paul's Church, Covent Garden.

How does your charity/project support the local community?

Iris exists to serve several overlapping and complimentary communities. Firstly we provide the local residential community of Westminster and Camden with affordable theatre and performance in an otherwise wildly expensive West End theatre environment. Secondly we act as a meeting point for London’s wider theatrical and performance community, offering performance opportunities, networking and mentoring to young artists who otherwise are isolated and lacking an outlet for their talent.

What do you plan to use the CommunityForce award for?

We would use the support of a Community Force award to fund a new Young Producers scheme which will offer the next generation of producers a chance to get hands on experience creating work for Iris Theatre. Confirmed projects for 2012 include our immersive promenade Shakespeare, a newly commissioned opera project, a new musical theatre project and Circuit, our circus and dance project. With your support we can fully fund young producers to get involved in making all these projects happen.