In 2012 a group of Thurrock young people who are not in Education, Employment or Training (NEETs) attended a 10 week course run by THEATRE IS… This was the first time that we had run a project specifically for NEETs and we developed a successful working model through the process.

After a rigorous recruitment process; it’s our theatre artists and project managers led the young people through an NCFE course in Event Planning & Management. The course was hosted and accredited through South Essex College and was funded and supported by Thurrock Borough Council.

On Saturday 8th December, the THEATRE IS… students produced the first ever event to be held in the brand new Backstage Training Centre, home of the National Skills Academy in Purfleet.
The event included special effects makeup demonstrations, close up magic to entertain the public -who were passing by on tours of the new building- and a half hour show featuring local singer songwriter Demi and professional breakdancing magician Magical Bones.

It was a fantastic event and we enjoyed working with everybody to bring it together. We’re so proud of what the young people have achieved and we were delighted to see a large majority of our trainees finding work or choosing to continue education after the course.