Partnerships with local businesses have enabled Derby Playhouse to set up two new community schemes.
The Egg Theatre Academy has been launched with £250,000 sponsorship from Egg, the online bank. It will include a community theatre project open to all ages and a youth theatre for 9-19 year olds, as well as providing training opportunities for non-professional actors from across Derbyshire. At the same time, a new Hot Tickets scheme funded by £150,000 of donations from a variety of local businesses, will offer free tickets to targeted community groups. 1,400 theatre tickets have so far been allocated and 60 community groups have signed up to take part. A network of community volunteers is being developed to foster links with community groups.