Social responsibility
Theatre connects communities, inspires new ways of thinking, and enriches lives.
Our contribution is to create inspirational environments for people to create, learn and tell their stories.
We want to include all, impact our environment and inspire the next generation. And we want to help you do the same.
Our CSR mission
We want to contribute a portion of our time, skills and profit to support causes, companies and organisations in all areas of the theatre industry that share our vision to make theatre – and, by extension, the wider world – a better place.
It is our responsibility as a socially conscious company to carry out this work and give back to the industry, so it continues to be as successful as ever.
How we'll achieve this
We are achieving our mission through Sponsorship, Volunteering and Outreach. These activities also expand our knowledge base, helping us make an even bigger difference.
The Blue Team
The Blue Team is a working group drawn from across our six studios to oversee our corporate social responsibility efforts.
How do The Blue Team decide who they give support to?
We are keen to give back to communities across our six studios by focusing on organisations that are not for profit, arts and community-oriented organisations who share our vision and where our contribution will make a valuable difference and impact.
We are open to supporting an organisation more than once but will assess this on a case by case basis.
We wouldn’t usually commit more than £1,000 to any one allocation.
Currently we concentrate our efforts in supporting three key areas:
- Promoting diversity and equality in all areas of the theatre industry.
- Minimising our personal impact on the environment, both in the buildings we design and our working practices, whilst influences others to do the same.
- Sharing our unique breadth of skills and expertise in classrooms, at conferences and on committees.
How to apply
Let’s make a difference and inspire the next generation of creatives together.
To apply for our support please download the relevant form below and return to CSR@charcoalblue.com.
The Blue team will evaluate your application at their monthly review meeting, after which applications will be informed as soon as possible subsequently and unsuccessful applications will be given feedback, including whether a re-application might be worthwhile.
- For sponsorship, click here.
- For volunteer hours, click here.
- For outreach opportunities, click here.
The Backstage Development Conference
Focused on professional development and continued learning at all stages of a theatre practitioners' career, The Backstage Development Conference launched in 2017 at The Barbican. The event aims to bring together professionals of all experience levels and skills to share their knowledge, make contacts and discover the latest technology and developments from their industry. We're proud to have been a sponsor of the event since its inception.
The sixth Tonic Celebrates was held at Hoxton Hall and included Tonic Theatre Director Lucy Kerbel, Hoxton Hall Artistic Director Karena Johnson, Executive Director of Talawa Theatre Company Natasha Bucknor and casting director Sam Jones.
Tonic Celebrates
Tonic Celebrates, hosted by Tonic Theatre's Director Lucy Kerbel, brings together a group of extraordinary women in theatre to talk about their careers, successes and inspirations. Held periodically at different leading theatres and venues, panels have included former Shakespeare’s Globe Artistic Director Emma Rice, designer Vicki Mortimer, Executive Director of Talawa Theatre Company Natasha Bucknor and Dame Harriet Walter. We're proud to have supported this important forum since 2016.
The 2018 riders rest after reaching Perth Theatre.
The First Night Ride
The First Night Ride is a biennial tour of theatres around the UK on motorcycles and classic cars that raises money for The Theatrical Guild, the only charity dedicated to looking after the interests of Backstage and Front of House personnel. We're proud to have both sponsored and participated in the ride over the past few years.
Supporting the industry internationally since 2004
