Theatres Trust report calls for better designed theatres and performing arts spaces in schools
22nd July 2010
As MPs debate the Academies Bill this week, The Theatres Trust, the national advisory public body for theatres, publishes a report highlighting the need to improve the quality of theatres and performing arts facilities in schools.
Our Conference 10 report, Designing School Theatres addresses the differences in school theatre design in maintained and independent schools, and the importance of performing arts teachers’ involvement in the design process.
The subject was heatedly debated by 200 people at its two day conference on the 26th and 27th April 2010 in Leeds, esulting in 26 key principles for school theatre design and 7 further actions. Practical ideas coming out included:
- designing main hall spaces so they are fit for purpose for performances, for example ensuring audience entry doors do not open onto the stage;
- design and procurement to include consultation with performing arts teachers and specialist theatre architects and consultants;
- enlarging drama studios to accommodate full class sizes;
- providing proper backstage and technical support spaces.
At a time when schools’ capital investment projects are under review and the Academies Bill is being passed through Parliament, the report recommends that there needs to be good quality design guidance and consultative procurement
processes to ensure young people have access to inspiring, fit for purpose performing arts facilities.
Theatres Trust Director, Mhora Samuel said, “Young people deserve better school theatres. Good theatre design delivers usable, practical performance space that builds young people’s confidence, communication skills and underpins Britain’s future excellence in the creative industries. Meaningful and informed discussion in this specialised area will lead to better schools theatres for less money, always important, but now crucial in these times of budgetary cuts.”
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