For over 40 years West Glamorgan Youth Theatre Company (wgytc) has supported young people to thrive and discover their talents in a creative and purposeful environment . The Company has historically been funded by local council grants, however, six years ago our funding was cut. We have been relying on donations from local businesses and individuals ever since. But we can no longer sustain this and our 45 year legacy is at risk and the gifted and talented young people of South Wales will lose the opportunity to gain valuable learning experiences.

We are asking for a large amount of money, we know, but it will fund the following:

• wgytc Outreach programme from April to June – once a week workshop opportunity where theatre and dance artists work with younger students (10yrs and up) to help them gain the skills to eventually graduate to the wgytc Core Company (14yrs-21yrs)

• wgytc Core Company 2 week residential course - young actors, costume designers, lighting designers, set designers working alongside industry professionals and lecturers in dance, drama & technical theatre. All of the young people and professionals will work together to produce a play for public performance alongside a devised piece of theatre created and performed by the students.

• Sponsored places for students who would otherwise not be able to afford to be involved with the Companies – like all cities there are areas of deprivation and this is certainly true of Swansea, Port Talbot and Bridgend. We want to be able to continue to support the actors/dancers of the future – they should not be excluded because of their financial situation.

• Subsidise ticket prices for family, friends and local students

• County Youth Dance Company (CYDC) – provide weekly classes for gifted and talented young students from 10-21yrs to create original pieces of work that will be performed in local theatre venues and in site specific venues as part of a free community event.