CRE8 THEATRE LTD TRUSTEES. ANNUAL REPORT INCLUDING OIRECTORS, REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENOED 29 FEBRUARY 2024 The trustees of the Society are pleased to present their annual Directorfs report together with the audited financial statements of the charity for the year endSn8 29 February 2024 which are also prepared to meet the requirements for 6 directors. report and accounts for Companies Act purposes. The financial statements comply wrth all relevant legislation and with current recommended accounting practice. 5tructurei gOVernae and management: Board of Trustees: Chairperson.. Depijty chair- Trea5urer- Secretary: Darren Ferguson Fiona Bell FSona Bell Sirnon Mcclean Key management personnel: Artistic D1CtOr- Ms Sarah Lyle Independent Examiner.. Amanda Harbinson FCA Corrigan CA Limited 24 Greystone Road Antrim BT412QN Governing Document: Cre8 Theatre Ltd is a limited comoany govèrned by its Mpmorandum and Articles of Association dated 18th January 2022. Cre8 Theatre Ltd is a registered charity wlth the Charlty Commlsslon for Northern Ireland. Appointment of trustees: The Chairper50n and the Trustees recruit and select new Trustees as required. New Trustees are recruitad on the relevance of their proftS4ional ski115 to Cre8 Theatre Ltd'5 conipaFiy iieeiJ5 and their potential to be able to make a helpful contribution to the governance of the charity- As p¥rt of the recruitrnent process. Llivy IFiddE aware of Tru5tees' legal obligations under charity and company law. the content of the Memorandum and Articles of Association and the most up to date financial performance of the charity- Cre8 Theatre Ltd purpose. aims and objertives= Cre8 Theat Ltd is a theatre produciion company whose mlsslon is to Psent visually stunnln8 and innovative theatre that enriches, educates and entertains. Cre8 Theatre Ltd focuses on making work with high production values and is passionate about developing and nurturing its atjdiences. people and new talent, as well as promoting acte5sibility for all and working to a model that is sustainable and forward thinktng. The artistic team have a fresh. visionary approach to producing theat that is inventive. reactionary, exciting and boundary breaking.
CRE8 THEATRE LTD TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 February 2024 Cre8 Theatre Ltd airn5 and objective5 are: To produce a range of visually stunnin& inclusive community focused artistic events. Examples include: digital educational/theme-based school tours community puppet shows creative workshops ed4Jcational workshops pantomimes theatrical production5 Cre8 Theatre Ltd aims to develop people's confidence in communication through dance, acting and singing. Cre8 Theatre Ltd also aims to nurture and grow a creative activity focused on integration of the d/Deaf community into the arts sector in Northern Ireland. Cre8 Theatre Ltd Is commltted to prornotln8: social cohesion social inclusion equality of opportunity and good community relations through community engagement and critically acclaimed arts practce promoting links with marginalised communities to make the Arts sector more accessible to them, with particular focus on the d/Oeaf community of Nl. Creatlve Achievements and performances: Cre8 Theatre Ltd's recent work provides evidence of this= February and March 2023: Research and Development projertlworkshops in a range of schools for children from the d/Deafand community in Northern Ireland. This research and development project followed on from our 2022 Deaf Arts Festival Nl and linked to our Deaf Arts Festival Nl 2023 and the May 2023 Sleeping Beauty show funded by Belfast City Council's Arts & Heritage and Arts Council Nl Lottery ProjeLI Funding. The beneficiaries of this project were d/Deaf young people and d/Deaf artists placed at the forefront of theatre, with Sign Langua8e and live interpreting at the centre of our creative research and design process. It also cast d/Deaf young actors on stage and raisedawareness. acceptance and respect for dlDeaf culture and community- March 2023: 'Sunnl Explores: A Land of Utter and a World of Waste Scht)ols Tourf. Funded by Belfast City Council the Sunni Explores= Land of litter and a World of Waste was a tour of 30 primary Schools in Belfast City Centre to t¢dLlI K51 ¢ind 2 Students all about what to do with your rubbish and recyclin& using puppets. songs and interactive enga8ement with the children.
CRE8 THEATRE LTD TRU5TEES' REPORT ICONTINUEDI FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 February 2024 Aprll. May and June 2023: Deaf Arts Festlval Nl 2023 and Sleepin8 Beairty Show Funded by Belfast City Council Community Foundation Funding, Arts Council Northern Ireland Lottery Project Funding ènd the Halifax Foundation. In kind support with the venue by THE MAC Theatre. Cre8 Theatre Ltd and c21 Theatre Company were pleased to celebrate that the inaugural Deaf Arts Festival Nl took place in The MAC. Belfast on the 6th and 7th May 2023 to oincide with Deaf Awareness Week 2023. Rehearsè15 were held in April and May 2023.The festival was co-founded by both l¢xal companies and they curated two piece5 of brand-new writing. Cre8 presented a modern musical adaptFon of'sleeping Beau for children and families while c21 offered 'Expecting'. 80th productions were developed in collaboration with dlDeaf artists ènd featured d/Deaf and hearin8 artlsts. The festival connected with d/Deaf communities across Northern Ireland and beyond, creating opportunity, access and inclusion to arts activity for integrated audiences. as well as placing deaf artists in eentral roles on the main 5ta8e. After the festival both companies embarked on a tour of regional arts venues in June 2023 at which each of the new productions were performed in Theatre at the Mill, Courtyard Thcatre. Marketplace Theatre. Arii)d¥li lind Newry. The project fully met its objective5 by.. Developing a new shared space lin both urban and rural setting5. a5 rhe live presentation will play in Belfast. Armagh. Newry and Newtownabbeyl. Creating a space where d/Deaf and hearing people can exist together, in one theatre with shared engagement and enjoyment. Tackling the issue of segregation through shared creative enBa8ement, by including hearing impaired communitres within all aspects of the project. Supporting social cohesion through raising awareness of differing cultural expressions, including lanRuaRe and communication, thrn¢JEh RSL. vibrations and soijnd experience5. Enabling engagement for participants in cross community attivity through workshops that bring different types of people together in a shared inclusive experience IPrimary school workshops). Raising awareness and building a united community through the show and promotion during the Deaf Arts Festival and Deaf Awareness Week and ultimately celebrating cultural diversity. DFAF FE5TIrfIIL NI
CRE8 THEATRE LTD TRUSTEES. REPOR T {CONTINUEDI FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 Febwary 2024 July 2023: Theatre at the Mill Theatre Summer Sch¢)ol.. Moana Jr A week long theatre summer school funded by Antrim and Newtownabbey 8orough Council and hosted by Theatre at the Mill & Courtyard Theatre. This week-lon8 event ended in è showcase production of Moana Jr for all to see. Age group 10 to 18 years olds. learning new singin& acting and movement skills. improvin8 their confidence, exercisin& making new friends. August 2023 - Youth Arts Summer School: Riverside Theat. 14 18 Au8u5t 2023 This Youth Arts Summer khool at Riverside Theatre in Coleraine was funded by Enterprise Causeway (Causeway Coast and Glens). We had a wonderful group of 10-16 year olds learning new singin& acting and movement skills, improving their confidence. exercisin& making new friends and generally loving their life for a week with our fabulous arts facilit3torsl In just S days over 35 childreii ireated an amazing pertormance showcasing elements of dancing and sln8in8 from The Gatest Showman. August 2023: Youth Arts Summer school: Ards CourKiI: 14 - 18 Au8u5t 2023 Youth Arts Summer School at Ard5 Arts Centre funded by Ards and North Down Borough Council. A group of 5-12 year olds learning new singin& acting and movement skills, improving their confidence, exercising, makin8 new fri¢nd5 and endirE8 111 # show to frien(Js and family. September- October 2023: 'Sunnl Explores: Respertlng Dtfference. h0O1$ Tour This wa5 yeL diivther Prtmary i to 4 oUta£h engagernent package designed and delivered by Cre8 Theatre Ltd, in conjunrtlon with Belfast City Council and T.. BUC Changing for the Better Together programme. The overall theme addressed the subject of Respecting DiffenCeS whith is a fundamentsl element of the curriculum. When schools sign up they receive a 30-minute live digital puppet show delivered dirertly vra Zoom, into classrooms with an accompanying 11-minute pre show introdurtory tastervideo, as well as interactive puppet craftin8 resources for studeAtS to engage with before the show. The project celebrated cultural diversity for Key Stage land 2 in schools within East and West Belfast. The tour reached thousand5 of children aged 3 - 7 years and linkedto the schools Personal, Social, Health, Citiiensh4p Education Currlculum IPSHCEI.
CRE8 THEATRE LTD TRUSTEES, REPORT {CONTINUEDI FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 February 2024 eXPLtiREs. Ortober 2023." Inspirlng Access: Introduction to Artlng Workshop for the d/Deaf tommunlty Our collaboration with the Grand Opera House enabled us to offer an atting workshop for the dlDeaf community. May. June, July, September and then Ortober 2023: Puppets In Your Place Show as part of the Enchanted House Puppetry Festival A community outreach projert funded by Arts Council Nl and the Rural Engagement Arts Programmp. - Ards and North Down Borou8h Council. This was a celebration of communities across Donaghadee, Portaferry, Comber and Hollywood. 25 participants ranging from 6 months old to gandparents put on a show as part of the Enchanted House of Pupperty Festival. rn ENCHANTED HOUSE OF PUPPETRY
CRE8 THEATRE LTD TRUSTEES. REPORT (CONTINUED} FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 February 2024 November 2023: Introdurtion to Arting Workshop: Grand Opera House 10 3rt15ts from the dlDeaf community Nl of mixed ages and abilities came together to integrate together ènd develop their acting, lip reading and BSL skills In a safe and creative environment. November and December 2023: 'Robinhood •trid thE pr•1 People P0e. Pantomlme: 15 to 28 Deomber 2013 Cre8 Theatre Ltd hosted it$ Seventh pantomime with this yearfs being held at Braid Arts Centfe, Ballymena, funded by Mid and East Antrim Council. The pantomime embarked on a whimsical journey through Sherwood forest. where the courageous Robin Hood and the Peaceful People Posse 'borrowed' from the rich and gave ro the poor. all white outsmarting the notorious Sheriff of Nothingman in a bid to save Ballymena. With toe-tapping tune5 ar¢d a sprinkle of magical moments. this pantomime Buaranteed a hilarious time for audiences of all age5. Audlence Feedback: Fabvlous prOdu10n.. 'Fantastic sho. Yhat was brilliantl My boys loved it very much, we had a great time. Thank you,. 'It's a great family day out and a traditional Christmas experience. A full stage classic Pantomime Cre8 Theatre, 'You'd be rnad as a minte pie to miss itl I. This family-friendly extravaÉania was taptivating, a production by spellbinding blend of laughter, music and never*nding joy.. CRE8 TItELIPAID AND THE PEACEFUL PEOPIE POSSE
CRE8 THEATRE LTD TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 February 2024 7TV i! 11
CRE8 THEATRE LTD TRUSTEES, REPORT {CONTINUEDI FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 February 2024 January and February 2024. 'The Bincredible Shredder and Crusher,. Rehearsal dates 8th - 13th January 2024 and Performance dates 15th January- 9th February 2024. Funded by the Belfast City Council's Environmental Education & Outreach department. This projett was a tour of 40 primary schools across Belfast with the show 'The Bincredible Shredder and Crusher.. The two recycling superheroes embarked on the adventure to teach the young people of Belfast City how to sort, Shred and crush their recycling at home and on the street. January and February 2024: Comedy Improv Workshop for d/Deaf community We laughed our socks off at the Improv Comedy Theatre Workshop. where members of the d/Deaf communrty created hilarious scenes. Thi5 was a 3 hour session where people from the the d/Deaf community workshopped with professional facilitatQfS and artists to create side-3plitting joke5, wrlly tjdiiler and outrageous sklls. This In-person workshop took place at the MAC Theatre, Belfast. January and February 2024: Inspiring Acce$5: Acting Workshop for d/Deaf communlty Our collaboration with the Grand Opera House enabled us to offer an atting Workshop for the d/Deaf community- It helped us raise awareness, lift self esteem, bring the hearing and non hearing community together, develop acting skills and improve communication through BSL. Some participants at the workshop said: 'today was wonderful, magical, inspirin& innovative. confidence building, heart warming, playful, challening and safel,
CRE8 THEATRE LTD TRUSTEES. REPORT ICONTINUEDI FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 February 2024 February 2024: Deaf Art5 Festival Nl 2024: The month of February also saw all the work behind the Scenes in preparation forthe Deaf Arts Festival Nl March 2024 Beneficiaries of Cre8 Theatre: l. d/Deaf Communlty Nl.. Cre8 Theatre Ltd are working on nurturing relationships and building on their work wwth the dlDeaf community Nl, adults. young people and artists. Featuring the people of this community in the programming of year two of the Deats Arts Festival Nl 2024. Cre8 Theatre Ltd are growing the festival experiences and engagements. such as- Connecting wrth more partners Increasing accessibility Integrating deaf and hearin8 communities Raising cultural awareness of the dlDeaf communtty Nl Curating a unique catalogue of public facing work that engages communities in a sustained programme of outreach. skills training and collaboration 2. d/Deaf artj5ts.. We are working hard on ensuring deaf artists are involved in relevant projects from project inception. Incorporating their skills, knowledge and creativity from the seed of the idea. through to projert forming and shaping to the end product. 3. Hearin8 people and artists: We are blending deaf and hearing people and artists together in all of our processes. driving integration in Nl forward, against all odds. Invigorating and rewriting the narrative for access and inclusion of the marginalised d/Deaf community and giving time and space forhearing people and artists to learn about deaf culture and have new found knowledge about this communrty. Including progre55ing sign language education. 4. Nl Venues: We are opening eyes and access in Nl. for example we are offering BSL workshops in host festival venue MAC Theatre Belfast. Helping and encouraging the venue to think more about accessibility and tts oijtpiit and day to day product.
CRE8 THEATRE LTD TRUSTEES, REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 February 2024 5. Children and Young people: We are continuing our work with the children and youn8 people across Nl offering summer schemes and holiday workshops in theatre skills. 6. Intercultural Communities: We a re annually delivering our programme 'Sunni Explores: Respecting Difference.. which in its design connects with ethnic minority communities Nl. This programme has huge reath as tt's delivered digitally across Nl and beyond. For example, deliverin8 to 120,thJO young people in their school settings in the last 2 years. 7. Older people: We are engaging older people in care home settings in 2024 with oijr projert Theatre in your front Room, which will see older community participants engage in workshops in puppetry, songwriting, storytelling and music. Their stories being shaped into a touring piece of live theatre perfomerd by professional artists. 8. Rural Ilvlng: We are and will continue to programme outreach activity that occurs regionally and rurally in Northern Ireland for all ages. Public beneflt.. Cre8 Theatre Ltd's aim is to provide accessible professional theatre and arts experiences for all people. Varying project to project especially focussing on children and young people and adults, ethnic minorities. marginalised communrtie5 includin8 the d/Deaf community and older ppctrplp in Northern Ireland. Promoting creatlVFty, makin8 art5 accessible and enjoyable (vr <ill. The benefit of our work is to provide accessible professional theatre and arts experiences for all familie5, children and young people ensuring postive impacts on.. Confidence and seff-esteem Personal development (including understanding themselves and others better) Social development (including potential to challenge cultural prejudices and 50cietal differencesl Emotional development (including the development of empathy and Emotional) io
CRE8 THEATRE LTD TRUSTEES. REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 29 February 2024 In addition, the benefrts of promoting creativty in the live5 of children and young people means that engaging in creative activities can help develop intrinsic human qualities, such as communication, expression, identity, culture and imagination, helping children and young people to shape their individual. community and global identity. Plans for future projects: In the year of March 2024 to February 2025 Cre8 Theatre Ltd will offer: March 2024: Deaf Art5 Festival Nl 2024 which will a150 showcase a new d/Deaf artist Cre8 production The Fishermans Friend.. Aprll 2024: Scriptwriting and rehearsals. May 2024.. Collaboration with Grand Opera House. Creative Learnin8 Dept. and Jordanstown School about offering access to performing arts training. June- July 2024: Theatre in Your Front Room. Show Tour funded by Mid & East Antrim Borough Council and Arts Council Nl REAP Pro8ramme. August 2024: Ards and North Down Summer Scheme and Grand Opera House Grand Family Festival d/Dcaf art15tic workshops. September- October 2024.. 'Sleeping 8eauty' remount and theatre tour to Courtyard Theatre. Newtownabbey and GOH Studio Series and delivery of accompanyin8 deaf arts BSL workshopsacross schools around Northern Ireland. under the 'First Steps to Sign L2ngu38e Pro8ramme'. January-February 2025: Belfast Cty Council school tour of 30 schools in the borough, educating about recycling and the environment. Thank you to our funders: Cre8 Theatre Ltd is truly grateful for the financial support it receives from tts range of funders. The ongoing funding has enabled Cre8 Theatre Ltd to meet its missions to deliver visually stunnin& innovative theatre that enriches. educates and entertains all everyone involved and to continue to ensure that young people and adults acr055 Northern Ireland continue to benefit frnm our artistic productions and that we could continue to create new innovative projects for the future. li
CRE8 THEATRE LTD TRUSTEES, REPL¥IT(CCNNTINUED) FOR THEYEAR ENDED 29 February2024 Funders have included.. Belfast Citycouncil (Good Relations/Arts and Heritage/Community Festivals) Arts Council Nl {Lottery) Halifax Foundation Nl University of Ulster Financial review: Cre8 Theatre Ltd'stotal annual incomefor theyear amounted to £117.642 (2023 .' £111,581)with total annual expenditureof £128,316 (2023 .' £61.817). The total deficit was £10,674 {2023 . surplus £49,763). Unrestricted reserveswere£19.635 (2023 :_£7,1991 and Restricted reserves were£14,29612023 . £51,804). Reserves: Thetrustees haveexamined thecharitvs reserves in light ofthemain risksto funding theorganisation. ThetrUSt continuallyobseTvethelevd of reserves, assessingif reserves areadequateand meet theneeds ofthecharity, asthryare awareofthe futurefunding potsand projerts thecompany will be running. Risk management: Theboard meets on a quarterly basis wheretheyexaminethecurrent strategic risks faced bythecompany. Actionsare agreed at these meetingsto mitigateagainstthese risks. Trustee Approval.. Approved byorder ofthe board of trusteeson 18th Ortober 2024 andsigned on its behalf by." 18th October 2024 12