The Studio – The Lowry's £2.5m new facility.
The Lowry officially opened its first purpose built Community and Education (C & E) space in late October, which will present community art and education shoulder to shoulder with world-class theatre and art.
Funded by the Northwest Regional Development Agency (NWDA) and as part of a package by the Millennium Commission, the new £2.5 million Studio features first class rehearsal rooms, classrooms and a flexible studio theatre space seating 140.
Covering approximately 1200sqm or 1/4 area of a football pitch, this new facility will enable the C & E team to provide access to creative experiences to even more people in the community, not just as spectators but as participants, creators and artists.
The Lowry will be able to build on its already popular education progamme by working with more groups, host artists’ residencies and create more new work, with regional, national and international artists and companies.
Robert Robson, The Lowry’s Artistic Director comments: “The studio is about creativity, accessibility, inclusivity, transformation and the celebration of work created by the community. The new hub will enable us to forge even stronger links with our community by enormously expanding the education and community activities that we can offer. We already deliver over 1000 participatory activities every year, ranging from workshops and drop in sessions to summer schools and master classes. We have an in-house contemporary dance company, Adhoc, but the addition of the Studio, allows us to consider expanding our horizons with the possibility of a choreographer and writer in residence. Furthermore, following on from our massively successful community production, Love on the Dole, we are in the process of inviting back cast members to feedback from their involvement and discuss developing our own community theatre company.”
As part of the new plans for community work in the Studio, The Lowry has also embarked on a new and exciting partnership with NATIONAL YOUTH THEATRE (NYT), providing them with a North West base.
The Studio will become the home for the region’s only youth theatre with a national in-take. This will result in the development and performance of new productions and more opportunities to engage young people in community projects throughout the year.
NYT’s first performance in The Lowry’s new studio theatre is Faliraki – The Greek Tragedy, showing Thurs 28 – Sat 30 October. The Lowry would like to hear from any budding artists, musicians, dancers, writers, actors, designers or directors as The Studio will be a space to help people spread their creative wings.
Whether you’re young or old, please contact Katie Kennedy, Education Assistant on 0161 876 2086 or kate.kennedy@thelowry.com to discuss opportunities for involvement in The Lowry’s programme. Monday evenings will be Schools Night. And for 11-16s, Creative Futures on Saturday afternoons will provide training in, and advice about, future careers in script writing and theatrical make-up.
Maurice Gubbins, NWDA Area Manager for Greater Manchester, said: “England’s Northwest has some of the most imaginative and industrious talent in Britain and this facility is a fantastic opportunity for us to develop and nurture this ability. The Lowry is an architectural flagship with a unique and dynamic identity and this initiative will further build on its success.”
Julia Fawcett, The Lowry’s Chief Executive comments: “We’re absolutely thrilled about our new facility which will create a vibrant hub for Community and Education activities as well as providing additional rehearsal space for our national and international visiting theatre companies. It will also contribute to The Lowry’s economic well being through the provision of additional corporate hospitality facilities, matching an existing demand for capacity at the venue.”
For further information about The Lowry’s programme of Community and Education activities as well as all its visual and performing art events, please contact the Box Office on 0870 787 5793 or visit the education section of our website.
Posted on Sunday, 24 October 2004 under News