BUXTON OPERA HOUSE WINS UK THEATRE’S WORKFORCE AWARD 2024

Buxton Opera House & Pavilion Arts Centre has announced today that they have been awarded UK Theatre’s Workforce Award at the 2024 ceremony, which took place at the prestigious 8 Northumberland Avenue in London on Sunday 20th October.

The Workforce Award, which falls under the UK Theatre Award’s ‘Off Stage’ category, recognises work that specifically promotes a commitment to professional development, improvement of organisational culture or the opening of entry routes to off-stage roles.

The winning application submitted by Buxton Opera House & Pavilion Arts Centre focussed on three main areas which took place between August 2023 and August 2024:

• Technical Youth Theatre, courses designed to provide participants aged 13 - 19 years with the opportunity to deepen their understanding of theatre lighting and sound.
• Our work experience scheme for young people aged 14 - 18 years, providing 30 students with the opportunity to create a touring theatre company, developing skills in acting, technical, stage management and design.
• The organisation’s popular community production which provides community members with the opportunity to experience taking part in a professional production.

Since 1991, UK Theatre’s annual UK Theatre Awards have celebrated the creative excellence and outstanding work seen on and off stage throughout England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Buxton Opera House & Pavilion Arts Centre is honoured to receive this award and sees this as a celebration of our wonderful workforce and endorsement of the work that our teams have put in to create a culture for creative opportunities.

Buxton Opera House & Pavilion Arts Centre would also like to warmly extend its congratulations to Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and Nottingham Playhouse who were also nominated for this award, and to their neighbours and friends at Buxton International Festival for their nomination in the Achievement in Opera Category.

Paul Kerryson, CEO at Buxton Opera House & Pavilion Arts Centre, commented on the organisation’s fantastic win at the UK Theatre’s Awards:

“On behalf of all the team here at Buxton Opera House, we are thrilled to receive the UK Theatre Workforce Award for 2024 in recognition of our commitment to professional development, improving organisational culture, and our efforts in opening entry-routes to backstage roles through schemes such as our Technical Youth Theatre. We are grateful to see that the dedication of our workforce and our culture for creative opportunities has been rewarded, reaffirming the importance of Buxton Opera House's place in the community and for the wider Peak District.”

Allie Spencer, Head of Creative Learning & Engagement, also expressed her delight at receiving the news of the organisation’s success at the awards:

“We are delighted we have won the UK Theatre’s Workforce Award 2024. We are committed to nurturing young people and community members who will become our future industry professionals.

It is a privilege to be able to start them out on exciting creative and technical pathways, to guide them along the journey and then celebrate their achievements with them.  This year we have given many young people and community members valuable experience which has gained them places at College, University, Drama School and some have even moved straight into the industry.

We are incredibly proud of all our participants and so pleased to have them within the Buxton Opera House family.”

For more information about UK Theatre’s Awards, please visit: 

www.uktheatre.org/uk-theatre-awards/

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