AN AMBITIOUS project to involve more than 2,000 residents in creative arts activities and performances – culminating in a community festival later this month – has been launched by Coventry’s Albany Theatre.
Engage Inspire Create will be the theatre’s most ambitious community outreach initiative since it completed a £3million redevelopment in 2024.
It aims to bring together hundreds of experienced performers and absolute beginners for a range of workshops, taster sessions and showcases.
Funded by Coventry City Council and the National Lottery, the initiative aims to give more than 500 people the opportunity to experience different art forms – including theatre, dance, music, puppetry, film and playwriting – and share their creations with hundreds more at the theatre’s First Draft Festival on June 21 and 22.
Coventry residents of all ages have been invited to use the Albany’s new performance and rehearsal facilities – designed to serve community groups, artists, and audiences across Coventry and the wider region.
Kevin Shaw at the Albany Theatre urged people to get involved in adult dance classes, intergenerational theatre and artist development workshops.
He said: “The response from the community has been fantastic but there are still plenty of opportunities to get involved on the day and the buildup through some incredible workshops.
“This is about making the Albany a place where everyone can feel welcome and creative – whether they’re stepping into a theatre for the first time or developing the next stage of their artistic career.
“The new and improved spaces give us a huge opportunity to open the doors wider than ever before, and the festival in June will be a joyful celebration of everything created along the way by the talented people in and around Coventry.
“We can’t wait to share the results of these sessions at our festival weekend and want to thank our incredible community partners for their hard work and enthusiasm in bringing Engage Inspire Create to life.”
The Albany’s professional workshop strand will include masterclasses hosted by professionals in the field for emerging artists, a special playwriting workshop with Coventry-born playwright Alan Pollock (One Night in November), and affordable artist development opportunities such as Studio Hire for a Fiver.
The theatre is also inviting freelance workshop leaders and facilitators to apply to help deliver the programme.
Visit www.albanytheatre.co.uk for more information, and to book festival tickets or workshops.
