With the cost of living crisis, a tough economy, an increase in operational and production costs and funding cuts, Tim Bray Theatre Company will be finding it very challenging to continue their work at the same level that they are currently doing in years to come.
The closure of two prominent and respected children’s theatres in New Zealand in the past 6 months reinforces that theatre for children is often overlooked and underfunded.**
This charity’s vision is to help children and teenagers build and develop their confidence, creativity and imagination through theatre. They have been providing top class theatre and drama classes to hundreds of thousands of children and families across Tamaki Makaurau since 1991.
Their mission is to make theatre accessible and equitable for all children and families, regardless of ethnicity, gender, disability or socioeconomic background. They provide NZSL, Audio Described and Sensory Relaxed performances, and provide drama classes for autistic and neurodivergent children and teens.
Over 35,000 people attend their shows and participate in their workshops and classes every year. For those who cannot afford to attend, their Gift a Seat® programme have actively sought funding for scholarships to ensure that theatre and drama classes are accessible. In 2023 alone 7,441 children attended their shows for free, who would otherwise miss out.
However, donations received through Gift a Seat® and funding, is not enough to cover their theatre operational costs. There are massive production costs that people do not see – cost of the show license, designers technicians, people who rig and de-rig all the lighting and sound, truck hire, accessible costs, hiring venues, costumes, actors and more.
Meet Tim Bray, QSM
Artistic Director
Find out the major challenges Tim Bray, QSM and his charity are facing and how you can be a part of his vision.
Tim Bray Theatre Company are hoping that you will be part of their vision to help support current and future tamariki and rangatahi access children’s theatre. Expertise developed through the performing arts will play a part in enabling our current and future generations to build important skills which are needed to shape the future of New Zealand in areas including medicine, science, engineering and much more.
To find out more about the “Theatre For All Appeal”, head to:
https://timbray.org.nz/theatre-for-all-appeal/
Please donate:
https://timbrayprodn.infoodle.com/f/AppealForm
*The Theatre For All Appeal runs until 31 May 2024
Listen to Tim Bray:
https://95bfm.com/bcast/national-theatre-for-children-closure-w-tim-bray-october-27-2023
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