Sunderland Empire Creative Learning
What We Do
We provide a wide range of events and activities throughout the year, supported by the Trustees, who consider this work to be an essential part of its charitable aims to unlock the potential of the venue as a valuable resource in the world of cultural education.
Our programme is a vehicle through which all members of the public can access, experience and enjoy all that the theatre has to offer. Its work engages individuals who might otherwise feel theatre is not for them, accommodates and empowers people of all abilities, ages, genders, races and socio-economic backgrounds. Sunderland Empire Creative Learning is proactive, dynamic and delivers directly to our local community’s needs, challenges and opportunities.
Creative Learning activities provide unique access, and opportunities for learning, to many of the sensational touring shows that visit the Sunderland Empire. The Trustees are proud of the partnerships that have been established over the years with producers such as Disney, National Theatre, Birmingham Royal Ballet and ATG Productions to name a few.
Sunderland Empire Academy
Creative Learning deliver a weekly Performing Arts Academy which offers training and skills development in key musical theatre disciplines – acting, singing, vocal technique and dance.
The sessions take young people from ages 6 - 18 on a journey of creativity, self-expression and confidence building to develop their performance skills.
Inclusive Special Educational Needs Provision
We're proud to offer relaxed and inclusive theatre sessions tailored to the needs of participants with special educational needs (SEN).
Connect Theatre Company are an exceptional group of adults who annually devise and tour theatre productions, working with local SEN schools in Sunderland to shape the content. With thanks to trustees, the group have developed into an established theatre company with their own touring equipment.
Bright Minds Youth Theatre is a youth theatre for young people on the autism spectrum. With thanks to our partners at the North East Autism Society, we are trained to adjust sessions to meet the needs of participants allowing them to realise their full potential as talented theatre performers. We celebrate the needs of the group by performing each year as part of the National Theatre Connections Festival.
Community Chorus and Mature Movers
Community Chorus and Movers are inclusive classes for over 55s to experience the joy of movement and song held in our stunning venue. The groups regularly take part in performance opportunities in the community to showcase their talents and singing a wide range of repertoire.
Theatre Tours and Talks
Staff can come to your group or club to deliver a talk about the theatre. Or why not come to us and we’ll take you on a tour around the famous building itself, exploring the history of the theatre? Tours take place at 11am – why not combine a tour with a matinee performance? Tours and talks can also focus on careers within the theatre industry for schools and college groups. There is a small per head charge for tours, which include refreshments
2022 - 2023 Successes
- 8.500 participants engaged with activities.
- 90% of schools in Sunderland engaged with a workshop and/or tour.
- 3,292 complimentary and subsidised tickets issues as part of our projects.
- 3,000 students reached via careers talks and industry insight days.
- Autism Acceptance Silver Award, High Sheriff Second Place Award and Accessible and Inclusive Tourism Award short-listed.