Who we are:

Immediate Theatre, established in 1996 uses drama to take disadvantaged young people on a journey from being at high risk of disengagement to participating in skills building activities, achieving accreditation and entering further education and employment.   We run 9 weekly youth theatres for young people aged 5-19 yrs in deprived communities across Hackney and East London.  We work in schools, including Learning Support Units and also work closely with Youth Services.  Many of our beneficiaries come from disadvantaged backgrounds and are victims of abuse/crime, young parents, gang members, and young people with disabilities. Over the past year we engaged with 3000 young people from areas of high deprivation. We also run programmes for young people aged 18-25 providing advice and guidance about employment alongside drama activities which boost confidence and explore the complex issues they are experiencing.  The services are shaped by young people themselves and our dedicated Youth Board assists us with designing our services allowing for a comprehensive bottom up approach to delivery.

Our aim:  To involve communities in making theatre that inspires wellbeing, breaks down barriers and engages people in the process of personal and social change.

Our objectives are:

To provide inspiring participatory theatre programmes enabling people to reach their potential and prevent exclusion and social isolation

To create performances which explore social issues, engage people in the process of change and influence decision making

To improve health and wellbeing and increase life skills and employability through training programmes and engagement in the arts.

We work in partnership with other organisations to ensure that our work is:

Inclusive: working at the grassroots and celebrating diversity

Interactive: involving communities throughout the creative process

Imaginative: finding new ways to engage with vital issues.

Our drama based activities are FREE to users in deprived areas through estate and school based work.