Theatre by the Lake Receives Grant from Cumbria Community Foundation to Support Company 25’s Exciting New Venture in 2025
The grant will help foster the next generation of theatre makers and storytellers by empowering young people aged 14–18 to take centre stage in co-creating performances that will celebrate the theatre’s rich history, vibrant present, and exciting future.
Company 25 is a dynamic new initiative, designed as a part of Theatre by the Lake’s 25th anniversary celebrations in 2024. This Young Company will give young people from a wide range of backgrounds the unique opportunity to collaborate with leading theatre professionals and creatives to shape a series of performances. The project promises to be an unforgettable journey, where participants will not only engage in performing but will gain invaluable skills across all areas of theatre production, from budgeting and marketing to movement, music, and performance.
The grant from Cumbria Community Foundation will directly support this group of young people, enabling them to learn about the various facets of theatre, creating an inclusive space for young people to grow their passion for the arts while helping to shape the future of Theatre by the Lake.
“We are excited to receive this support from Cumbria Community Foundation,” said Liz Stevenson, Artistic Director and Joint CEO of Theatre by the Lake. “The support from the Foundation will allow us to provide these young people with not just the tools for creating performances, but the skills that will stay with them for a lifetime. We truly believe that Company 25 will be a game-changer for the next generation of theatre professionals in Cumbria, and we are grateful for the Foundation’s belief in our mission.”
Company 25 launched in 2024 with a series of Summer Masterclasses for young people in collaboration with professional theatre practitioners. The project is continuing in 2025 and will offer a range of creative opportunities, helping to nurture a future generation of talent, while giving voice to a new generation of theatregoers.
TBTL is dedicated to making the arts accessible to all young people in the region and ensuring that everyone, regardless of background or experience, has the opportunity to take part in the magic of theatre. This grant from Cumbria Community Foundation is a significant step toward creating a space where young people can explore, experiment and develop their artistic voices in a supportive and inspiring environment.
For more information about Company 25 and how to get involved, head to Young People
About Theatre by the Lake
At our home in the Lake District and out across Cumbria, Theatre by the Lake produces and presents nationally acclaimed theatre, made with passion, that is seen by audiences from across the globe.
We believe that theatre has the power to transform lives, and we create vital opportunities for Cumbrian artists, young people and communities to come together, be inspired and explore their creativity.
From our origins as ‘The Blue Box’, our theatre was willed into existence by the local community and opened by Dame Judi Dench in 1999. 25 years later, under the co-leadership of Artistic Director, Liz Stevenson and Executive Director, Simon Stephens, we continue to be inspired by our unique place and its extraordinary people.
“Artistically sharp and stunningly situated” – New Statesman
About Cumbria Community Foundation
Cumbria Community Foundation is a charitable organisation that supports local communities across Cumbria. By providing grants to organisations and individuals, it aims to improve the quality of life for people in the region, fostering growth and development in a variety of sectors, including the arts, education, and community building.
