With the support of local businesses, hundreds more young people could feel the impact of Silhouette Theatre Company – a community project that doesn’t just nurture talent but gives hope and opportunity in one of the most deprived areas of Northampton.
The organisation was founded six years ago by former headteacher Leigh Wolmarans. Its aim was to ensure that everyone, no matter what their family background or socio-economic status, had access to the arts and the chance to explore drama, music and dance.
Silhouette is currently located in space on the top floor of Weston Favell Shopping Centre. Such is its success, however, it has now outgrown that space. A solution lies in the availability, elsewhere in the centre, of half of the former Wilco store – if almost half a million pounds can be found to transform that space into something that will fulfil Silhouette’s needs and also allow it to extend its reach into the wider community.
Leigh, who is CEO and Artistic Director, and who admits that much of his time is spent writing applications for funding anyway, is now seeking alternative options, including through local businesses, to help towards the £460,000 in capital funding needed to carry out preparation work on the empty store.
“I founded Silhouette six years ago to provide opportunities for all,” said Leigh. “How much money you have and what parents you have shouldn’t affect what opportunities you have.
“Young people come to Silhouette from all over the region, as far away as Milton Keynes, and everyone is welcome, but we are particularly keen to work with this community, which is one of the most deprived in the county. We charge £5 a session, but if anyone turns up and they can’t pay, we fund that. Money should never be the reason you don’t do something at Silhouette. We believe in accessible and affordable opportunities for all, and we do what we can to redirect the light to communities and young people that need it the most.”
As well as providing drama, music and dance sessions, the Silhouette team, which also includes a Head of Music, Head of Voice and Head of Dance, and a host of local freelancers, works with 48 schools in Northampton to run their creative programmes. Silhouette is also a regional theatre partner of the Royal Shakespeare Company, which provides opportunities to perform on RSC stages and learn backstage crafts and techniques. Leigh has calculated that while 355 young people attend Silhouette every week, its reach, when you include schools and teachers, parents and members of the local community, is more like 16,500.
“Anyone can come to Silhouette, but we have young people who are school refusers, who have mental health and wellbeing issues or different or difficult needs,” said Leigh. “Creative arts funding is being cut massively but we know that the performing arts have a massive impact on someone’s wellbeing, their self-belief and self-confidence. Performing gives them a voice.”
Silhouette stages regular productions, all of which sell out, and all of which have a ‘pay-what-you-can’ policy at the door. If funding can be found to develop the new, bigger space, it would not just open up opportunities for Silhouette productions but would provide
a smaller venue that would potentially attract touring shows that don’t currently have a suitable space in Northampton. It could also offer a space for local bands or small theatre companies, and as a community facility for groups, meetings, events and conferences.
Everything is in place to begin the transformation, but the final hurdle is securing the money needed to make the space compliant, safe and fully functional. The organisation is confident that once the initial investment is made, the venue will be self-sustaining.
Leigh said: “It’s a done deal, as long as we can get the funding. And with the plans we’ve got, it’s a good investment. We are confident we can grow in so many ways if we get the chance.”
“We have a breakdown of our income and our reach, and we’ve got support from the Royal and Derngate, and the RSC have already provided all the seating for the new space, and we have this amazing group of people who love being here and just need more room. We could pretty much double the number of young people who come to Silhouette.”
“It’s a lot of money to find, but we’re open to all kinds of discussions. It might be that a company would like to have their name on the programmes or displayed on the lighting rigs. It certainly doesn’t have to be all the money; we can make it work with several backers providing whatever they can.”
Silhouette provides teacher training in the creative space, training more than 200 teachers last year. There are plans to develop that with, for instance, a Shakespeare conference, or Ted Talks. The space also has potential for events, comedy evenings or business and community meetings. A large loading bay at the back, part of the shopping centre delivery provision, makes for easy access for sets and equipment.
“We can see the potential to really make an impact,” said Leigh. “For the young people, it’s not just about performing, they can learn about the technical aspects of the theatre. There is a national shortage of people trained in sound and stage management – this could be a chance to bring in apprentices and train them through a route that’s not traditional but could give them skills for life.”
“And, of course, the performing arts don’t just equip young people for theatre or music, they give them the confidence and self- belief that stands them in good stead in any career. It’s testament to our approach that many of the young people that have attended Silhouette have gone on to further education and for many of these young people, they are the first in their family to do so.”
“What we are trying to do is about creativity and young people, about their futures, but it’s also a chance to open up opportunities across the community – a meeting place, or bringing more people into the shopping centre to spend money with the retailers while they are here, for instance.”
“This is an amazing opportunity, and we are just hoping we can find the investment we need to help us make it happen.”
To find out more, contact Leigh Wolmarans at leighwol@silyt.com or visit the website www.silyt.com
