THE YARD THEATRE LIMITED
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Mission Statement
The Yard is a theatre and community organisation based in Hackney Wick, East London. A registered charity, The Yard brings people from different backgrounds together to make and experience new theatre. In our age of rising inequality, disconnection and division, the theatre we make at The Yard inspires compassion, sparks conversation, and fosters community. Our work is to: * Reimagine theatre: presenting a programme of productions and events that take audiences on journeys of possibility. * Develop talent: introducing East London’s young people to the arts, and working with professional artists to produce outstanding new work. * Represent East London to the world: reflecting East London’s diversity onstage and off; prioritising affordability for local residents, and touring productions originated in Hackney Wick around the UK. Each year we work with 100 artists and 400 young people, and we reach 20,000 audiences.
About This Cause
We are lucky to receive a core grant from Arts Council England, but it only covers around 10% of our costs. Every year we need to raise 90% of our income through ticket sales, bar sales - and, crucially, fundraising. The Yard wouldn’t exist without an amazing community of individuals, trusts, and statutory bodies, who each support our work through donations and grants. If you want to help us expand the potential of theatre, support artists to take imaginative risks, and offer life-changing opportunities to young people from East London - support The Yard today. OUR STORY: The Yard was founded in 2011 by Artistic Director Jay Miller out of a frustration at a theatre ecology that was sterile and inaccessible. Over one summer, Jay and 50 volunteers converted a disused warehouse into an auditorium and bar, using reclaimed materials and a £9,000 grant from Arts Council England. The Yard is a unique proposition: a theatre in a warehouse, in a post-industrial corner of a changing East London. An auditorium whose design is inspired by classical amphitheatres, but housed within a 20th century industrial building. Originally intended as a six-month pop-up, The Yard is now a permanent fixture of the UK’s cultural scene - testifying to the power of a grassroots space driven by the spirit of exploration and nonconformity. “A LITTLE BASTION OF EVERYTHING THEATRE’S SUPPOSED TO BE, IN THE EXACT SPOT A THEATRE SHOULDN’T BE” - Time Out OUR PROGRAMME: Our programme crosses genres, breaks down boundaries between different live artforms, and brings together playwriting with artistic practices normally found within nightlife spaces. Every production we present is exhilarating - theatre reimagined, in the room, with you. The theatre we present tells new stories about our world. These stories are never simple; there are no easy answers, only probing questions. Our shows reflect our world, but also share new visions of what life could be, inspiring compassion for others and igniting conversation (or a dance) in our bar after the performance ends. “IT MAY BE AN UNUSUAL VISION FOR THE FUTURE OF THEATRE — BUT IT’S HAPPENING RIGHT NOW AT THE YARD” New York Times Our impact goes beyond our four walls. Our productions have toured the UK and our commissions have been produced around the world. And artists who worked at The Yard at the start of their careers have since gone on to present their work nationally and internationally, or even to become household names, like Ncuti Gatwa, Michaela Coel and Emma D’Arcy. Recent productions include the acclaimed: Samuel Takes a Break written by Rhianna Ilube, directed by Anthony Simpson-Pike (2024) The Flea written by James Fritz, directed by Jay Miller (2023) An unfinished man written by Dipo Baruwa-Etti, directed by Taio Lawson (2022) The Cherry Orchard, reimagined by Vinay Patel, directed by James Macdonald (2022) DEVELOPING ARTISTS: We work with young people and new artists who deserve their first break - and with experienced artists who want a big break. Whether 9 or 39, we encourage and challenge artists in order to support them to develop. We run free programmes for primary and secondary age young people from East London, introducing them to theatre, offering them opportunities to learn creative skills, and creating pathways to jobs in the UK’s rapidly growing cultural sector. With professional artists, we take a bespoke approach to supporting their development. We have no rule book, just a belief in the power of the artist in our world, and a drive to make excellent live theatre. Each process to develop new work and grow an artistic voice is different. “THIS IS MY DEBUT FULL-LENGTH PLAY AND I'M EXTREMELY HAPPY THAT THE YARD HAS GIVEN ME A BREAK BY PRODUCING THE PLAY AND ESSENTIALLY TIPPING MY CAREER INTO A PRODUCED AND PUBLISHED PLAYWRIGHT” - Rhianna Ilube REPRESENTING EAST LONDON, SPEAKING TO THE WORLD: The theatre we present and the people we work with reflect contemporary Britain. Based on the borders of Tower Hamlets, Newham and Hackney, The Yard’s neighbourhood is rich in cultural diversity but blighted by inequality: in Hackney Wick, 56% of children live in poverty. So we work with artists, staff and young people who are representative of East London’s cultural diversity. We remove barriers to access, and think deeply about what makes an inclusive and inspiring theatre, to ensure everyone is welcome. Over 50% of the artists we work with are from Black and Global Majority backgrounds. Our tickets start at £5 and our discounts prioritise young people and East Londoners, fuelling future audiences. “I HAVE SEEN THERE IS VALUE IN MY VOICE ON A STAGE. I HAVE BEEN QUIET FOR SO LONG” - Lamesha, local Yard Young Artist Alumni OUR FUTURE: The Yard Theatre was built in a disused warehouse for what was intended to be a six-month project. Twelve years on, we are renowned for producing thrilling new theatre and developing new talent for the sector. But all of this has been achieved from a “temporary” space, with limited backstage, no thermal insulation, little disabled accessibility and a short lease. So, we’ve raised £6.5m to deliver a capital project for The Yard and the communities who love what we do. We have secured a 30 year lease and received planning permission on an inspiring refurbishment and new-build project, designed by award-winning Takero Shimazaki Architects. Our project will deliver: *An accessible and sustainable theatre building: we will be able to minimise our impact and welcome everyone to The Yard. *A new theatre auditorium: suitable backstage facilities and an increased capacity from 100 to 200. *An adaptable bar/cafe, welcoming everyone and generating income. *A young artists' studio We start on site in spring 2025 and our new building will be open in 2026. To find out more about the project or how to get involved, email development@theyardtheatre.co.uk