Royal & Derngate is the only organisation in Northampton to have been selected to participate in the Big Arts Give Challenge, which takes place during the week commencing 6 December. This means that the theatre has the opportunity to raise up to £9000 towards Youth Theatre bursaries.
Royal & Derngate works with over 300 young people a week and its Youth Theatre provides an inspiring and creative opportunity for young people in Northampton to become engaged with the arts through training sessions and regular productions. Youth Theatre bursaries enable a wider cross-section of the local community to become involved.
The Big Arts Give is a nationwide scheme developed by The Big Give and Arts & Business. Donations of any size are very welcome and each £1 given unlocks another £1 of matched funding. Donations can be made online at www.thebiggive.org.uk/donate/royalandderngatefrom 10am on Monday 6 December.
Northamptonshire Community Foundation has given a generous pledge of £3,000, and the theatre needs to raise a matching £3,000 during the challenge week to release this money. If the total raised goes above this, Royal & Derngate Youth Theatre have a fantastic opportunity to unlock additional bonus funding from the Arts & Business Challenge Fund, meaning all donations will be worth twice their original value.
To help celebrate the Big Give week, Royal & Derngate Youth Theatre, Community Choir and Actors Group will be holding a Christmas Gala performance on Thursday 9 December, where there will be opportunities to make donations. With a Christmas drinks reception from 7pm, the concert will start at 8pm and will feature a mix of songs from the musical and Christmas numbers. Tickets are £10 and can be booked by calling the Box Office on 01604 624811 or online at www.royalandderngate.co.uk.
