A numbers game

Picture the average theatre audience. Who do you see? Chances are that you’re imagining people of an older age bracket. Largely speaking, that’d make sense. According to research conducted by the Audience Agency in 2016, the biggest theatre audience age group was between the ages of 65 and 74. The average member’s age was 52. Now, there is some evidence the balance has shifted a bit recently. Partly as young people have tended to be more relaxed about returning to venues and shows as the pandemic subsided.

But questions about ageing audiences remain relevant. So ideas that can boost interest in theatres among a younger demographic are valuable. If you’re involved in education, you can help make a difference at the Adam Smith.  Active links with local schools are one way to achieve this. Establishing these relationships can open up options like workshops, masterclasses and world of work learning opportunities. In other words, the kind of activities that can teach children and young people about different aspects of the theatre and screen sector. But can also spark enthusiasm for them and enrich young lives as a result.

Good stories of school links

The Royal Shakespeare Company, for example, runs an Associate Schools Programme which is open to schools across England. It’s focused on those operating in areas of socio-economic disadvantage. There are plenty of other initiatives to draw inspiration from too. When the Live Theatre on Newcastle’s Quayside underwent its recent transformation, it included Live Tales – a dedicated children and young people’s writing centre. It offers schools creative workshops, in person or online, to bring their own stories to life.

In Glasgow meanwhile, the Tramway has been hosting the Citizens Theatre’s shows while its revamp continues. This included a recent festive production, Little Red Riding Hood. It saw the theatre work with P7 pupils from the Gorbals’ two primary schools. Over 600 young people were involved, as part of a creative residency in the schools. All these schemes, and more, are encouraging the next generation of performers and audiences. And providing ideas we can learn from as we near the reopening of our own venue.

Do you work in education? How can our renewed venue best connect with local schools? Please get in touch by DM: @RelevantOnFife, email: relevant@relevantonfife.co.uk, or by simply leaving a comment below.