About Us
Cherwell Theatre Company (CTC) is a registered charity (number 1137145). Since 2004 we've created an environment where young people can be themselves, make new friends and feel valued. We work collaboratively to bring their unique qualities and aspirations to life through inclusive community theatre; often in unusual spaces. We operate from our headquarters at The Mill Arts Centre in Banbury alongside our longstanding champion and partner, Activate Learning who continue to support our work with young people.
Established in 2004 by Nasser Memarzia and Karen Corradi, CTC has since presented: nineteen theatre productions; three festivals showcasing local young artists; two 'Theatre in Education' projects playing to more than 100,000 school children across the UK; and a number of street theatre and site-specific works such as ‘A Shakespeare Summer Soiree’ at Broughton Castle, 'Myth' and 'Myth II' which toured parks and housing developments in 2019 and 2021, bringing new communities together. In 2022 we were presented with the CBA for Charity and Community giving, recognising the work we do to strengthen and promote the inclusion, diversity and empowering of Young People in the Cherwell District.
Our aim is to give young people a sense of self-belief, wellbeing and value by bringing them together with professional artists to make theatre.
Our patron is Sir Trevor Nunn, former Director of the RSC and National Theatre. He’s one of many professionals who support us in the belief that "CTC truly creates access and aspiration for all, regardless of background."
We work within schools, our local community and offer weekly drama workshops. We are always excited to welcome new members to our company and we hold no auditions. We're open to anyone with an interest in theatre. At CTC we believe in accessibility and inclusivity, working closely with our amazing workshop facilitators to ensure all our participants feel supported.
Cherwell Theatre Company is proud to welcome all young voices, regardless of background or experience. We hold no auditions, and as a registered charity working in partnership with Activate Learning, we are able to keep subscription fees low and offer fully-funded bursary places to those that need them.
What we do...
Weekly Groups
We run weekly theatre-based workshops and our alumni have gone on to train at prestigious drama schools including RADA, Mountview, The Central School of Speech & Drama, Italia Conti, The Royal Birmingham Conservatoire and the New York Academy of Dramatic Arts. Many choose to return to work with us as professionals, post-training. Others of course have success in non-arts based jobs, attributing their confidence to their time spent with CTC - 'a family you never really leave'.
Community
The ‘Amplify’ programme enhances CTC’s commitment to raising up the voices and aspirations of the young people of Banbury through a weekly on-going programme of creative workshops in the community.
Participation on the Amplify programme is free of charge. The groups run on a weekly basis at various locations in Banbury.
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Schools
Our experienced artists offer a variety of practical workshops suitable for primary and secondary school drama.
We deliver exciting, accessible projects with local schools, using drama to explore a variety of topics such as inclusion, school transitions and literature, introducing children to practical storytelling from an early age.
We also deliver CPD for teachers, empowering them to use drama more widely across the curriculum.
Arts Projects
The Park Ranger is an interactive environmental arts project for Year 4 children, designed (in line with the Year 4 science curriculum) for school fields and public festival events. During workshops, children are engaged as trainee ‘Rangers’ on adventures in green spaces. Through interactive storytelling, music, craft and gardening activities, participants are led to understand the importance of taking care of their immediate environment to make a difference in their wider community.
Production
Our Monday night group members aged 11-25 work closely with professional artists and directors to develop productions which tour the local community. These young people gain confidence through performance opportunities, positive connections with peers and an insight into the arts. Below you'll find videos of some of our previous productions including Song of The Summer and Pete Stays Home.
"The company has given me the room to grow in to many additional roles, offering support and
guidance to learn about directing, writing, teaching and management roles." - Penny Tasker, CTC alumni
"CTC is a safe and inspiring environment where you’re given the opportunity to explore the craft
with like-minded people and you will absolutely make friends for life!"
- Isaac Stuart CTC Alumni
"It’s full of brave, talented people and its place you can feel 100% safe to take risks. I’m so grateful for CTC and it will always have a special place in my heart." - Jessica Lloyd Jones, CTC alumni
