Tobacco Factory Theatres Builds New Studio Theatre; Opening Set for October 2018

In 2018 Tobacco Factory Theatres will embark on a £1.5million building project to completely transform the current footprint of the first floor of the building.

The plans cleverly reconfigure the space to create the following alongside the existing Factory Theatre:

· A new flexible and multi-purpose 86-seat studio performance space with state of the art retractable seating

· Refurbished backstage areas to provide three new dressing rooms, kitchen area and technical management/storage

· Improved and extended front of house and bar spaces to transform the audience experience

The project will begin works in January 2018 with all new spaces open and functioning for a launch in October 2018.

You can view the interactive plans here: www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com/reimagine-with-us/.

The transformation will have an extraordinary impact on everything that Tobacco Factory Theatres does:

· It will expand the programme and grow audiences - In the new Studio Theatre 30,000 more people each year will enjoy over 360 more performances by 50 additional companies. The programme will include daring, innovative and eclectic high profile local, national and international work.

· It will enable us to inspire more local young people - the Studio Theatre will provide a home for the organisation's flourishing Children and Young People Programme, allowing an expansion of activities to over 3000 young people each year.

· It will empower artists - the fully equipped state of the art studio space will provide a dedicated space to support artists to explore, challenge and create brilliant new theatre.

· It will support the local community - for Tobacco Factory Theatres, its audiences, artists and young people are the reason for its existence. The range of new flexible spaces will allow it to offer more opportunities for everyone to be involved in the life of the organisation through its Get Involved Programme and more.

Mike Tweddle, Artistic Director, Tobacco Factory Theatres says, "This project is an enormously exciting step for Tobacco Factory Theatres. It builds on the great success of the organisation to date and enables us to look ahead to a bright future."

Fundraising for the project is going well and £1.2million of the £1.5million needed is already secured. Tobacco Factory Theatres is grateful for the support of a number of donors including Arts Council England, Foyle Foundation and its committed group of individual major donors. DAC Beachcroft and other partners are leading the way for businesses to support the project. Landlord of the Tobacco Factory building, George Ferguson, has agreed to Gift a 999-year peppercorn rent Leasehold to Tobacco Factory Theatres as part of this project, to enable the organisation to flourish well into the future.

Tobacco Factory Theatres is now asking for the generous support of its audiences to help reach its outstanding target of £300,000 and make this transformation a reality.

You can find out how you can Make Your Mark on the future of Tobacco Factory Theatres with a donation to the project at www.tobaccofactorytheatres.com/reimagine-with-us.

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