Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch and The Habbit Factory today announce an exciting new partnership for this current academic year. Both local arts charities will work together to develop a partnership that both supports and increases opportunities for under-served and under-represented communities across the London Borough of Havering. This new collaboration will focus on engaging with young people and D/deaf disabled and nero-diverse individuals through creative activity.
The activity will include creating a shared programme of training, peer sharing between young people from QTH’s QYouth progrmme and The Habbit Factory – starting with a showcase event late spring 2023, and to support one of QTH’s 2024 productions by exploring ways of incorporating members of The Habbit Factory’s adult group.
Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch will offer two bursaries to their Technical Youth Theatre programme (for 14 – 18 year olds) for Habbit Factory members. These spaces are funded by Central School of Speech and Drama.
James Watson, Head of Learning and Participation of Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch said: “We’re really excited to be forming a closer strategic relationship with The Habbit Factory. By sharing specialist skills, collaborating on training opportunities and developing local artists, both organisations share the ambition to collectively deliver best practice, accessible and inclusive creative arts opportunities for young people across the borough.”
Lee Giles, Artistic Director and CEO of The Habbit Factory said: “We are thrilled to be entering a strategic partnership with Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch. As ever, we have been guided by our young people who voiced the need to grow our current level of collaboration with QTH to provide more opportunities to Havering and the surrounding boroughs. Our team cannot wait to work with the theatre to collaborate on training, exchange knowledge and skills and offer further experience to our young people, who are underserved and under-represented currently in the industry.”
Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch is a vibrant regional theatre with a rich heritage, working in Outer East London, Essex and beyond, celebrating its 70th birthday this year. As the cultural hub of the region, over 210,000 people enjoy the programme each year, including the best in home grown theatre, visiting live entertainment and inspiring Learning and Participation projects. Audiences are guaranteed a warm welcome from a three-year winner of UK Theatre’s Most Welcoming Theatre (2016 – 2018) and London Theatre of the Year 2020 (The Stage Awards), the first Outer London theatre to receive this prestigious award.
The Habbit Factory are a local charity that operates a fully inclusive theatre company working with people of all abilities, ages six and above within the London Borough of Havering. They teach acting, singing, and dancing in their weekly factories, where their expert professionals create a fun space for members to build their skills and confidence to perform in front of large audiences. Members all get to perform in one of their yearly shows at popular local theatres, including at Queen’s Theatre Hornchurch.