The Joseph Rowntree Theatre Limited
Charity number: 1098329
Website: www.josephrowntreetheatre.co.uk
Description:
Founded on chocolate, the Joseph Rowntree Theatre was commissioned by the Rowntree family for the workers at their chocolate factory. Opened in 1935 it is a beautiful Art Deco building, which stands opposite the original Rowntree factory.
What does the Joseph Rowntree Theatre offer today?
The theatre is now an independent registered charity serving the local community.
The charity trustees manage our much loved community asset with the help of over 170 volunteers aged from 16 to over 90 years and, usually, without any external financial assistance.
As well as providing a place for the local community to take part in cultural activities, we also provide volunteers with the opportunity to learn new skills, from working backstage with our technical equipment and volunteer stage managers, to customer facing roles including running box office and front of house. We give many people first-hand experience of working in a theatre. We also offer the opportunity for volunteers to use their skills managing the premises and maintaining the grounds.
Our auditorium comfortably seats 365 patrons with every seat having an uninterrupted view of the stage.
Performing companies, including touring professionals, can stage highly technical shows with multiple scenery changes courtesy of our flying system and the professional standards of our theatre?s volunteers and equipment. The theatre regularly hosts fully staged musicals, plays, operas and operettas, as well as hosting pantomime, gang shows and many dance and drama school exhibitions.