Collaborating with young people to write a better future

We’re more than a theatre company

We commission new writing from trailblazing writers, tour directly into schools and theatres UK-wide and run Future Makers, year-round free creative activities to bring young people, artists, and teachers together as creative collaborators.

Our practice produces a ‘creative circular economy’ that places young people at the heart of Theatre Centre, empowering them on their own terms to use their voices and ideas to create change in the world.

My Brother’s a Genius

We are thrilled to announce Eleanor Manners as our next Artistic Director!

Eleanor joins Executive Director & CEO Emma Rees from April 2025 and succeeds Rob Watt, who leaves the organisation in March after five highly successful years.

A vibrant cultural hub for Crawley

Zine
THANK YOU!
Rob Watt
THANK YOU!
Rob Watt

As Rob Watt steps into his final week at Theatre Centre, he reflects on the incredible voices that have shaped his journey—young people who challenge thinking, writers who craft worlds, teachers who create space, and artists who bring stories to life.

“Theatre Centre’s work is more vital than ever,” he says. “It helps young people explore perspectives, engage with complexity, and reflect their realities back to the world.”

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Rob Watt
Unlocking Creativity in the Classroom: Reflections from an Artist-in-Residence
Talia Randall
Unlocking Creativity in the Classroom: Reflections from an Artist-in-Residence
Talia Randall

Talia Randall, an artist-in-residence at Addey and Stanhope School, embarked on a pilot project to explore creativity within the science department. Coming from an arts background, she was eager to learn about an unfamiliar subject. The goal was to understand how students and teachers viewed creativity in science. Through focus groups, Randall gained insights. Taking an exploratory approach, she allowed the school community to guide the direction.

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Talia Randall
The Power of Stories
Rob Watt
The Power of Stories
Rob Watt

Rob Watt reflects on the recent filming of the Dizzy teaser trailer in London, highlighting the need for safety discussions due to ongoing racism and Islamophobia in the UK and emphasising the importance of diverse storytelling to promote understanding and acceptance.

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Rob Watt
The Lungs of Crawley
Karl Singporewala
The Lungs of Crawley
Karl Singporewala

Karl shares the creative process that inspired him to transform his walk with Max through Tilgate Park into a piece of artwork, The Lungs of Crawley.

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Karl Singporewala
Stitching Stories: My Artistic Response to a Walk with Ellie
Sarah Pimenta
Stitching Stories: My Artistic Response to a Walk with Ellie
Sarah Pimenta

Sarah shares her creative process of transforming a walk with Ellie into a unique textile art piece, using collected leaves, screen printing, and embroidery to capture the essence of their journey.

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Sarah Pimenta
Transforming Walks into Words
Woodzy
Transforming Walks into Words
Woodzy
Read More →
Woodzy

Zine

  • "Theatre Centre was the first place that showed me I could be a writer and gave me the belief that I had something to say.”

    Roy Williams OBE, Patron

  • "Theatre Centre continues to open up young people’s creative potential in new and dynamic ways. For young people to articulate and contribute their views and passions is vitally important for debate and for democracy"

    Maxine Peake

  • "For many students this will be their only opportunity to experience live theatre. It is critically important that they do. Thanks to everyone involved in another excellent visit from Theatre Centre."

    Teacher

Get In Touch

  • For general enquiries, contact admin@theatre-centre.co.uk. For specific enquiries you can see who is best to contact here.