Theatre Centre

Theatre Centre A national new writing theatre company making bold, relevant work with and for young people.

Founded in 1953 by Brian Way and Margaret Faulks, we've been a vital catalyst for youth leadership and creativity for 70 years. In this time, we’ve commissioned 108 writers and produced 237 plays. We have played to audiences of over 1 million in schools and theatres and we have worked with over 250,000 young people through a vast range of projects. Some of those young people are now working in the

arts, running companies of their own, or in education teaching drama to the next generations. We commission new writing from trailblazing writers, touring directly into schools and theatres UK-wide, as well as running our year-round Future Makers activities to bring young people, artists, and teachers together as creative collaborators. Future Makers makes space for young people to have agency as they nurture their talent and interests on their own terms. We see access, equality, and representation as foundations of a fair society and work to dismantle exclusion and systemic injustice. We prioritise areas that are systemically underserved and excluded, removing economic and social barriers, and working where young people can benefit most. We celebrate the true creative diversity only the widest access can bring.

"Have you heard of the word neurodivergent?""We're too poor to be neurodivergent! That's the kind of word you have to pa...
07/05/2026

"Have you heard of the word neurodivergent?"
"We're too poor to be neurodivergent! That's the kind of word you have to pay for by the syllable."

Did you know you can buy My Brother's a Genius by Debris Stevenson from our playtext shop?

If you missed the show while it toured, you can still delve into this explosive play about learning to fall, fail and find our own ways to fly.

https://www.theatre-centre.co.uk/shop

"In my practice, creating work with, for and by young people, I’m constantly reminded that this isn’t about a lack of in...
30/04/2026

"In my practice, creating work with, for and by young people, I’m constantly reminded that this isn’t about a lack of interest or imagination. There’s a lack of access - to space, to time, to each other, to being seen and heard."

Some words from our Artistic Director Eleanor Manners on the importance of accessible - and free - spaces for young people.

Read her thoughts in our zine here: https://www.theatre-centre.co.uk/zine/spaces-for-young-people

Final call to apply for the role of Development Manager!Working closely with the Executive Director and Fundraising Cons...
22/04/2026

Final call to apply for the role of Development Manager!

Working closely with the Executive Director and Fundraising Consultant, the Development Manager will lead the development and implementation of Theatre Centre’s fundraising strategy to support its artistic programme, organisational growth, and long-term sustainability.

Deadline: Thursday 23rd April, midday

For more info and to apply, visit: https://www.theatre-centre.co.uk/work-with-us/development-manager

Our latest Impact Report takes a look at our work across new writing and Future Makers between 2020-2026, from the numbe...
21/04/2026

Our latest Impact Report takes a look at our work across new writing and Future Makers between 2020-2026, from the number of writers we've worked with to the creatives, technicians, actors and stage managers we've employed, to the number of 14-22 year-olds we've worked with through Future Makers.

Read the full report here: https://www.theatre-centre.co.uk/about-us/our-impact

2 days left to apply for the role of Executive Director and CEO!EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (full time)The Executive Director/CEO...
18/04/2026

2 days left to apply for the role of Executive Director and CEO!

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR (full time)
The Executive Director/CEO is a key role in the executive structure, and the lynchpin between governance and day to day operations and will have sole CEO responsibilities.

Salary: £47,000 per year, rising to £48,500 on successful completion of probationary period.

🗓 Deadline for applications: 20 April, 10am
🔗 For more info and to apply, visit: https://www.theatre-centre.co.uk/work-with-us/executive-director

We are also seeking a Development Manager to join the team. Visit our website for more details.

We have extended our deadline for the role of Development Manager to Thursday 23 April. Why? Firstly, it took longer tha...
16/04/2026

We have extended our deadline for the role of Development Manager to Thursday 23 April. Why? Firstly, it took longer than anticipated for a key arts recruitment website to list the job ad. Secondly, we wanted to encourage more candidates to consider the role by highlighting a few key things:

1) Yes the role itself is new, but our fundraising efforts are well established. Made possible thanks to generous support from Backstage Trust, the Development Manager will have support from across the whole company including the Board, the SLT and the wider Theatre Centre team.

2) The postholder's efforts will build on foundations we have already begun. This includes some good funding relationships, a strong, evidenced case for support, in-depth stats, and above all an inspiring and exciting programme of work for young people, artists and teachers across the country.

3) While Theatre Centre is based in Crawley, weʼre open to discussing flexible and remote working arrangements that support both you and the needs of the role.

If you have any questions about the role, please do drop us a line on [email protected]

Contract type: Fixed term to March 2028 (24 months)

Hours: 22.5 hours per week (0.6 FTE, flexible working required including occasional evenings/weekends)

Salary: £18,000 per annum (£30,000 pro rata)

Location: Weʼre open to discussing flexible and remote working arrangements that support both you and the needs of the role.

For more info, visit: https://www.theatre-centre.co.uk/work-with-us/development-manager

Some news to share with you. After 6 brilliant years, our fantastic Executive Director and CEO Emma Rees will step down ...
15/04/2026

Some news to share with you. After 6 brilliant years, our fantastic Executive Director and CEO Emma Rees will step down from her role.

During Emma's time with us, Theatre Centre commissioned five original plays developed for and with young people, all of which were co-produced with Sheffield Theatres before touring nationally to venues and secondary schools.

Together with former Artistic Director Rob Watt, they developed Rob’s pioneering model of the Future Makers process, connecting teenagers with writers, artists and teachers while also informing Theatre Centre’s productions. The model continues to evolve under our current Artistic Director, Eleanor Manners.

Emma also oversaw Theatre Centre’s move from Lewisham to Crawley as an Arts Council Transfer NPO in summer 2023, making us the first Transfer company to relocate from London.

To read the full press release, visit:https://www.theatre-centre.co.uk/s/Press-Release-Emma-Rees-to-Step-Down-as-Executive-Director-web-version.pdf

For anyone job hunting over the weekend, you have 2 days left to apply for the role of Development Manager! Deadline: Mo...
11/04/2026

For anyone job hunting over the weekend, you have 2 days left to apply for the role of Development Manager! Deadline: Monday 13 April, 10am.

This is a new and pivotal role designed to transform Theatre Centre’s fundraising capacity by strengthening systems, increasing income diversity, and building long-term financial resilience. The postholder will play a key role in helping the organisation capitalise on its artistic impact and case for support, while building momentum towards its 75th anniversary in 2028.

Contract type: Fixed term to March 2028 (24 months)
Hours: 22.5 hours per week (0.6 FTE)
Salary: £18,000 per annum (£30,000 pro rata)

There is also just over 1 week left to apply for the role of Executive Director. If you or someone you know would be great for either role, please do share this with them!

For all the details, please visit: https://www.theatre-centre.co.uk/work-with-us

Spread the word! Theatre Centre are currently recruiting for two vital roles within the team:Executive Director (full ti...
07/04/2026

Spread the word! Theatre Centre are currently recruiting for two vital roles within the team:

Executive Director (full time)
Development Manager (part time, 3 days a week)

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
The Executive Director/CEO is a key role in the executive structure, working alongside the Artistic Director to make up the Senior Leadership Team.
Salary: £47,000 per year, rising to £48,500 on successful completion of probationary period.
Deadline for applications: 20 April, 10am

DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
The Development Manager is a new and pivotal role designed to transform Theatre Centre’s fundraising capacity by strengthening systems, increasing income diversity, and building long-term financial resilience.
Salary: £18,000 per annum (£30,000 pro rata)
Deadline for applications: Monday 13 April, 10am

For more info and to download the job packs for each role, visit: https://www.theatre-centre.co.uk/work-with-us

That's a wrap on our tour of My Brother's a Genius!After opening at Sheffield Theatres () the show toured to Stephen Jos...
02/04/2026

That's a wrap on our tour of My Brother's a Genius!

After opening at Sheffield Theatres () the show toured to Stephen Joseph Theatre Stephen Joseph Theatre), Leeds Playhouse (Leeds Playhouse), and National Youth Theatre (National Youth Theatre), alongside performing in schools from London to North Wales to Crawley to Nottingham to West Yorkshire.

We finished up the tour last week with a special event in our hometown of Crawley, at Unit 79/80 County Mall, Crawley.

Thank you so much to everyone in the creative team, cast, production team, and to our partners for making the show possible!

📸by Ian Greenland

My Brother's a Genius by Debris Stevenson was developed through our Future Makers process, and a Theatre Centre, Sheffield Theatres and National Youth Theatre co-production.

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London

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 6pm
Tuesday 10am - 6pm
Wednesday 10am - 6pm
Thursday 10am - 6pm
Friday 10am - 6pm

Telephone

+442077293066

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