Throughout the year, donations to the Give the Gift of Theatre supports Hull Truck Theatre’s engagement work with local communities, particularly those experiencing disadvantage who might not otherwise be able to enjoy a transformative visit to the theatre or an opportunity to take part in the arts.
Over the years the scheme has given hundreds of young people the chance to create lasting memories with classmates, peers and family members.
The campaign is particularly important at Christmas, when it supports young people and their families to experience a festive treat together, many of whom are attending for the first time. The scheme is delivered in partnership with Hull & East Yorkshire Children’s University, who work closely with schools and Children in Care that might face multiple and varied barriers to attending or participating in the arts.
In 2019, Hull Tuck Theatre was were able to allocate 371 tickets to Peter Pan as part of our Give the Gift of Theatre at Christmas appeal, allowing 12 different schools/groups to attend the theatre who might not have been able to afford it without people’s donations.
The ways in which donations might be used include:
— Enabling people from disadvantaged areas of Hull to visit the theatre, often for the first time.
— Delivering half-term workshops for 3 – 6-year-olds in Orchard Park and Thornton Estate.
– Live streaming performances into hospitals and care homes.
– Supporting children aged 3-6 from disadvantaged areas of Hull to attend Great Adventures in Storyland with their families.
— Providing bursaries for young people aged 8–21 to join Hull Truck’s youth theatre.
– Enabling school groups from disadvantaged areas of our region to attend the Christmas show.
Donations can be made online, over the phone or in person at the Box Office.
Jessica Gibson, Service Delivery Manager for Hull & East Yorkshire Children’s University, said:
“We are so grateful that year upon year, Hull Truck Theatre provide our charity with hundreds of free tickets for children from our most disadvantaged schools and for our Children in Care programme. Many of the children we work with have never stepped foot in Hull city centre, let alone a theatre as wonderful as Hull Truck. It means the world to us and more importantly, to the children. Thank you, Hull Truck, for giving the Gift of Theatre to children who need it the most.”