"It’s quite astonishing to see something wake up in your child that you didn’t know was there and that’s down to the magic of Playbox, and what you do.” - Ruth Tennant

Playbox has been a creative home and artistic sanctuary for over half a million children and young people, since it opened its doors in 1986. Founded by Mary King, Playbox was always to be a place where young people would be given a powerful artistic voice, as well as creative training across a broad spectrum of arts, and a place where their voices would be heard, where they would be challenged and where they would be able to create theatre, in its many forms, to the highest possible, professional, standards. In 1999, Playbox opened the doors to The Dream Factory – the UK’s first purpose built and designed theatre exclusively for young people, with its many studios, its café, outdoor spaces and beautiful main theatre. At this point, Playbox could offer even greater opportunities to its young people, who would now have an artistic home – a creative powerhouse - to call their own, where the young would retain total ownership, and the directors, technicians, designers and administrators would work to fully support their development as unique individuals, growing up in a world where they should feel confident, articulate, compassionate and where they would become superb creative thinkers.

This company has never received regular funding, but relies totally upon self-supportive finances, including membership fees, café revenue, box office, education programmes and self-help fundraising. It is a very difficult operation to maintain, even under normal circumstances, but passion, determination and an intense belief in our young people as artists has enabled Playbox Theatre to thrive, and to be heralded across the world as a model of excellence for creative work with the young.

All of us at Playbox Theatre are fiercely passionate about the future and long for the time when we can throw open our doors to all members, families and audiences. For 36 years we have given everything to enable many thousands of young people to have a voice, to gain courage, and to explore the world we live in using theatre, circus, film and music within a bespoke theatre complex, that is second-to-none, that is owned by them, and not the ‘youth wing’ of any adult organisation. Playbox has created generations of articulate, tolerant, imaginative creative thinkers and artists, who now thrive across a range of industries.

Your help will support the running costs of The Dream Factory and a core team of essential staff; it will enable us to continue to expand the variety of programmes of inspiring, meaningful and creative activities for young people of all ages.

With your help, the future can, and will, be bright for Playbox Theatre.

Thank you for reading this, and for your support. No donation is too small, or too large.

Emily Quash

Artistic Director