Education is at the heart of the Lyric Theatre's work. As construction work begins for our new landmark theatre, that education work is even more important to us than before.
Education will, quite rightly, permeate all aspects of the new theatre's operations.
I am delighted to introduce these education projects which have been specially designed for our off-site, transition period. The projects will form a large part of our work over the next eighteen months as we watch our new £18m theatre rise out of the ground on Ridgeway Street.
It is particularly pleasing that the programme covers a broad sweep of the educational spectrum from primary schools, through the secondary sector to young adults who have left the education system or who are embarking on third level education. Even more signifi cantly, the scheme encompasses different levels of engagement on the part of the participants. Some will enjoy the thrill of experiencing professional productions in their own schools while others will be encouraged to step onto a stage themselves for the first time.
It is also very important to the Lyric to be taking this work into every part of the city of Belfast - and beyond. It is our mission as Northern Ireland's only full-time producing theatre to take work 'on the road', visiting communities the length and breadth of the country.
The four parts of our programme have been designed as pilot projects. We are keen to use this current transition period to gauge both audience reaction and teachers' needs. We want to learn how to structure our activities in our new home to make them even better for our future audiences.
We very much look forward to receiving feedback from all those who participate in these projects. I am sure that the Lyric has a very large part to play in enriching young people's knowledge and understanding through the experience of live theatre.
Mark Carruthers
Chairman
Lyric Theatre