Shine is Nottingham Playhouse’s flagship participation programme, working with community partners across Nottingham and Nottinghamshire to provide free theatre sessions for young people aged 4-25.

Led by expert theatre practitioners, we deliver bespoke workshops for participants, invite participants to watch up to two Nottingham Playhouse productions each year and offer opportunities to perform both in their community and the Nottingham Playhouse mainstage, all absolutely free for those taking part.

We passionately believe that access to the arts supports the development of healthy, empathetic, confident young people and provides them with the tools they need to grow into resilient and socially intelligent adults.

Our core aims for Shine are:

  • To develop confidence and promote wellbeing in participants.
  • To broaden cultural experiences including theatre visits.
  • To build skills, particularly with a view of creative skills and transferrable life skills.
  • Linking to our talent development programmes and/or advice for those keen to explore a career in the arts.

Groups are located in areas perceived to have greater barriers to engagement, e.g. financial, medical, geographical.

The groups marked in bold welcome all young people from the local community to attend – drop us an email at shine@nottinghamplayhouse.co.uk to find out more.

Our current Shine groups are:

  • SHINE Aspley (based at Minver Crescent Sports Centre) ages 7 – 14
  • SHINE Beechdale and Bilborough (based at Beechdale Community Centre) ages 7 – 11
  • SHINE Carrington (based at Indian Community Centre Association) ages 7 – 13
  • SHINE Chilwell (school based)
  • SHINE Mansfield (school based)
  • SHINE The Meadows  (Based at Queens Walk Community Centre) ages 7 – 11
  • SHINE NEST (school based)
  • SHINE QMC (school based)
  • SHINE Radford (school based)
  • SHINE Rise Park and Top Valley (school based)
  • SHINE Pathways (school based)
  • SHINE Sneinton (school based)