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Did you know that the moment when a child stops imagining themselves as an astronaut, explorer or artist
and begins to be steered and streamed into exam channels is Year 3, aged 7-8? As a charity, our mission is
to create playful opportunities for the diverse communities around us, especially those who may not have easy access to arts education or can’t imagine being on stage or behind a camera.

Our belief
We believe that everyone should be allowed the space to play and be creative. Whether you’re trying something new for fun, bringing your toddler to their first class, seeing theatre for the first time, or thinking about what you want to do when you finish school, we’re here to help you feel at home. We flick on the light of creativity.

With your help, we want to inspire and support the next generation of storymakers wherever they are, whatever their background.
“I learned by watching this play. It’s way more fun than reading a plain old textbook!” Bristol primary school child.

Context
It’s increasingly difficult for students, particularly those from areas of less economic wealth, to be aware or confident that theatre, TV and film is a profession they might be able to work in.

The facts

What we do
Each year, we welcome 685 young people, aged 3-18, from across the South West to Downside Road for fun and imaginative theatre classes. We create nurturing environments where young people can build their confidence, develop teamwork skills and gain a deep appreciation of the arts.

Creativity and play belong to us all, regardless of our age. 365 adults aged 18-60 join us each year for specialist short courses, adding skills to their own career or exploring their creativity outside of their usual working day. Held here in Bristol and online, this community joins us from all over the UK and around the world – including the USA, Canada, Europe, Singapore, South Korea, South Africa and Mexico.

We have been bringing live performance into classrooms across Bristol and the region for many decades as well as offering free tickets to primary schools for selected productions with follow-up workshops when possible.

In 2023, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School delivered 140 hours of theatre performance directly to students in their schools. 5,462 school children from 24 regional schools experienced winter productions of The Nativity and The Elves and the Shoemakers.

“It was astonishing to watch some of our most reserved students put themselves forward in the activities in ways we have not seen before – clearly the creative context gave them a safe space to push themselves” – Teacher, Bristol Secondary School

It costs us £800,000 each year to continue our work in Reaching Out.

You can help us to:

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Adapting to drama school life, returning to education as an adult or bringing your toddler to their first class can feel scary. Our focus on the welfare and wellbeing of our students and staff is essential for creating a positive and supportive learning environment and nurturing creative growth.

Our Belief

We believe that every student should feel valued, understood, and connected. Each of our students and staff are individuals with their own unique talents, needs and potential, so our job is to provide all that they need to flourish and thrive. 

For many students, we’re meeting them at a pivotal moment in their lives – their first time on a stage, their first experience away from home, their first time in a new place surrounded by new people, learning new skills and terminology. It’s vital that we create an environment of safety and security – a warm, dry, accessible place for them to learn, practice and grow.

The Facts:

Equitable Spaces

There are so many stories just waiting to be told. Stories by and about the many different people who make up our world. 

We believe that we need to look outside ourselves to be the change we want to see. 

We want our students to see, imagine and represent these stories and share them in new creative, engaging and exciting ways.

 Our industry struggles with inequality and lack of representation. It’s vital that we actively address systemic biases and behaviours, creating a proactive inclusive environment where students, staff and audiences from all backgrounds feel valued and seen.

A Community of Care

Our students aren’t statistics. They each come to us with their own fears, talents, experiences and needs. The students with us now lived their teenage years during the pandemic – isolated from their friends, connected only through digital technology, unable to watch or perform live theatre and suffering from a mental health epidemic. 

They need our care and support. We empower them to know themselves as human beings with dreams, skills and ambition. All of them deserve the right to fulfil their aspirations and potential. 

Our specially trained Student Support staff are there for students at every stage of their learning journey. They provide pastoral care, a safe space, practical advice, allyship and are a link to families back home.

Each year, we need £380,000 to continue our important work in Welfare and Wellbeing 

With your help we can:

• Continue to provide a supportive and nurturing environment, with trained staff on hand to support all students.
• Deliver on our aspirations to become a more diverse, inclusive and representative organisation – reflecting the people and places where we live, work and learn. 

Bristol Old Vic Theatre School was founded as a practical training ground for theatre makers on and off stage. 

For almost 80 years we have provided some of the world’s best training in classical acting and technical theatre skills, broadening into costume, design, writing, directing, stage management, movement and voice.

Our Belief

We believe in learning by observation, by doing and from being immersed in the environment. Across every course, there is a ‘permeable membrane’ between the Theatre School and the industry, and each year our students receive over 1,000 hours of specialist training from teachers and practitioners with an abundance of live and relevant industry experience.

Brilliant Teachers

We all remember the teachers whose magic has changed our lives. Through their inspiration and guidance, they unlock our hidden potential. 

In their company, students find not just knowledge, but the courage to chase their aspirations and wisdom to navigate the world’s complexities. 

They create an environment where learning is not just a task, but an exciting journey of discovery. Their impact transcends the classroom, weaving into the very fabric of a person’s being, guiding them throughout their future. 

We work with brilliant, inspiring teachers with a range of backgrounds, lived experiences and professional expertise. Holding young people as they prepare for their future, filled with fear and excitement, is a precious and pressured experience. Our teachers are an investment in the future of every person and our industry.

Training for Tomorrow

Shakespeare and classical training is the bedrock of what makes our theatre training among the very best in the world and has been fundamental to our teaching for the entirety of our 80 year legacy. 

With the rise of streaming services, podcasts, and online content, we need to prepare students with training and skills that are relevant and up to date, with the needs and practices of today’s industry. 

Similarly, in an era where technology plays an increasingly crucial role, we are engaging our students in training using AI, digital design platforms, and writing for the games industry. 

Our interdisciplinary collaboration allows students to gain insights from different perspectives, enhancing their creative process and preparing them for the multifaceted nature of the arts industry and mirroring real-world scenarios.

Each year, we need £2.4m to continue our important work in Training and Productions

With your help we can:

• Continue to employ and retain the industry’s finest teachers, delivering the World class training that is expected at BOVTS
• Build on and expand the highly regarded seasonal productions and performances that our students stage each year, building real-world learning experiences for all BOVTS learners. 
• Stay at the forefront of the ever-changing arts landscape and keep our students equipped and relevant for tomorrow’s industry needs.

We train the storytellers of tomorrow. Grounding them in the history of theatre and performance and developing their skills and techniques for today, we want our graduating students to have the very best start to their careers and to go out into the world championing our region as a powerhouse of storytelling.

Our Belief

Our graduates are an investment in the cultural, economic, and social vitality of our world. We believe in developing them to not only be work-ready, but world-ready citizens who know themselves and who they are in the world. Grounded and exceptional creative talent, who ask questions of themselves and others, and hold-up mirrors to the world and say ‘let’s make society a better place’. 

With an industry in flux and a country in the middle of a cost of living crisis, we have a duty of care to prepare our students for the careers that lie ahead of them and we strive to give them the best possible support.

Training for a Digital Age

With the rise of streaming services, podcasts, and online content, our students need to have agile, entrepreneurial, collaborative mindsets as well as their classical, practical training. 

Our home city is a big part of our identity, and we benefit from its role within global storymaking. A UNESCO City of Film, Bristol boasts a rich history of film and TV production and is a major contributor to the UK film industry. Our students are hosted at placements and internships with theatres, film companies and TV productions across the country. 

We want to work more closely with the industry around us to ensure that we provide the pipeline of talent and skills that they need.

Industry Insights

Visiting professionals bring a fresh and diverse perspective. They have practical, real-world experience in their field which bridges the gap between academia and the professional world, giving students valuable insights into current industry practices and trends. Visiting professionals also provide valuable networking opportunities for students, sparking connections that can lead to internships, mentorships, and job opportunities, enriching students’ career prospects.

Showcasing Talent

Through our showcases in West End theatres, costume and theatre design exhibitions, and graduate talent promotion to agents, casting directors and industry leaders, students leave the School with confidence, knowing themselves and the stories they have to tell – and bring that gift straight to your TV screens, radio, theatre and stages around the world. 

Our Summer Festivals are the exciting moment when our students collaborate across courses to produce a week-long programme of new shows. 

Stripped-back, script-in-hand performances provide a vital opportunity for new writing to be heard and talented writers spotted.

Each year, we need £620,000 to continue our important work in Launching Careers

With your help we can:

• Continue to provide some of the best training in the world to creative individuals
• Increase the diverse learning opportunities, ensuring that they always reflect the changing needs and technologies of the sector
• Bridge the gap between learning and working in the arts, fostering relationships with future employers for all our students
• Champion our students talent, giving them the space to perform and showcase everything they have to offer.