Our balletLORENT team is in Worthing today and spotted posters around town promoting our two upcoming productions of Snow White. Gavin and John are currently working with Durrington Infant and Junior School, leading workshops for Years 2 and 3. At the end of these sessions, ten children will be selected to join our young cast for the upcoming Snow White performances in Worthing.
Our Young Cast Initiative provides talented children with the opportunity to participate in meaningful creative work. At every tour venue, we collaborate with a local primary school to deliver immersive dance workshops over two days. From these workshops, ten children aged 7–9 are chosen to rehearse and perform alongside our company in their local theatre. For many, this will be their first experience performing on stage in front of a live audience. Through this initiative, we aim to nurture their creativity, build confidence, and introduce them to the arts—offering an experience they may not otherwise have encountered.
James MacGillivray, Education & Projects Manager, highlights the significance of this initiative:
"For many children, this is a unique and transformative experience. It not only builds their confidence and creativity but also enhances their ability to collaborate, communicate, and express themselves in new ways. Schools benefit immensely too, as these workshops enrich their arts provision and inspire both students and teachers alike."
This initiative is designed to broaden access to the arts, particularly for children in areas with limited opportunities to engage in dance, creative activities, or even visit a theatre. By participating, these children gain valuable physical, emotional, and psychological benefits that can have a lasting, positive impact on their futures.
We also strive to involve families in this journey by encouraging them to attend performances. Through this engagement, we hope to foster a stronger connection to the arts and cultivate a deeper sense of community.
At the heart of our work are the Arts Council of England’s Children and Young People Quality Principles, which guide our approach to working with and creating for young audiences. We emphasize excellence, authenticity, excitement, inclusivity, active involvement, personal progression, and a true sense of belonging and ownership.
The six schools we will be working with for our Snow White tour are:
We would like to thank Arts Council England, Garfield Weston, and Hull and East Riding Charitable Trust (funding for Hull) for making this initiative possible.
