Introduction Aurora Theatre CIC is a children's theatre company based in Stroud, UK, founded in 2020 by Lucy Cassidy. Our mission is to create accessible, imaginative theatre experiences with and for children, blending live performance and digital technology. We strive to engage diverse families and children through creative, inclusive theatrical experiences, often taking theatre into non-traditional spaces such as parks, libraries, and homes. In 2024 the two major projects that demonstrated our commitment to community engagement were The Invisible Creature Club Phase 2 and 3, and a project with the Gloucestershire Community Rail Partnership, creating an audio adventure with young people and families to encourage train travel and imaginative storytelling. 1. Invisible Creature Club – January to June 2024 Funded by the Arts Council and Awards For All, we completed our project The Invisible Creature Club, targeted at children who might not otherwise be able to participate in a creative wellbeing project. Over the course of several weeks, the children adopted their very own invisible creature, completing challenges which helped them to discover the uniqueness of their creature, their name, likes and dislikes, as well as their superpowers. We worked with play therapists in the development of this project to ensure the quality of the interaction, alongside highly experienced artists to build a beautiful and cohesive world. We worked with schools in areas of low cultural engagement and with children and families that had been chosen by our community partners and schools for the barriers they may face in taking part in an activity like this at home. Phase 2 saw the expansion of the project from 2023 into new schools, alongside support and training with teachers and community leaders. Phase 3 saw us extend the work into public performances, alongside an online opportunity for families to continue the activities at home. Participation Full attendance and completion of the schools and community workshops, with 40 children completing the project over six weeks. The public show sold out with a pay-what-you-like scheme, targeting local families in a semi-rural area. Community Partnerships We worked with four schools over the project, as well as The Pound Arts Centre, to help us reach and target vulnerable families that might not otherwise engage with creative projects due to multiple and complex barriers. Inclusive Access All sessions were offered free to schools or pay-what-you-can at the theatre. We took the project to the children and families to minimise geographical and social barriers. 2. Gloucestershire Community Railway Partnership We also worked with Gloucestershire Community Railway Partnership to develop an audio adventure that supports and encourages families to take the train, engage in intergenerational conversation, and spark imagination. Using stories and voices from the community, we created an audio soundtrack that would be triggered as the train moved through GPS points. At the free launch event, we had 20 families try out the adventure from underused stations, to encourage them to feel confident using the train. Participation In the pop-up studios we used to field record stories from children and families, we collected over 30 stories that were used in the final activity. The launch event was sold out and had a waiting list, as families got to try out the audio adventure for the first time. Community Partnerships We worked with the Gloucestershire Railway Partnership who commissioned the project, alongside community partners in Stroud at Stratford Park, Dursley at The Quarry Chapel, and the Cotswold Youth Network. Inclusive Access The whole event was free to engage with, from creation to listening. At the launch event, we gave out free headphones, splitters, and phones to allow families who might have limited access to technology to enjoy the experience with minimal stress. Both these projects align with our purpose to develop high-quality creative experiences for those who might not otherwise be able to take part, to use a co-creation model to ensure that the work is relevant and progressive, and to use technology to enhance creativity and imagination. Conclusion and Future Plans 2024 saw the completion of our largest project to date with The Invisible Creature Club and a new application and commissioning partnership with GCRP. Our next steps are: Continue to research and develop our co-creation model. Develop new projects that continue to centre young people's creativity. Work with new schools and partners to make sure our work is accessible to all. Seek further funding to maintain free or low-cost participation for all children, regardless of their background.

Aurora Theatre C.I.C. is committed to ongoing consultation with our stakeholders to ensure our projects are responsive to community needs. Our stakeholders include: Local Children and Families: Primarily families with primary-aged children from diverse ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. For the railway project, stakeholders also included the public on the railway. Professional Stakeholders: These include The Pound Staff, local school teachers and support staff, and children’s theatre professionals, GCRP and GWR staff. Their input and feedback have been vital in shaping our project’s development. Consultation Methods: For The Invisible Creature Club, we collected feedback from participants and their families through questionnaires, text messages, and one-on-one interviews. This feedback informed enhancements, such as adding video descriptions and exploring app-based delivery options. For The Railway Project, we engaged closely with GCRP, and gathered direct feedback from participants through face-to-face conversations and feedback postcards

No remuneration was received

No transfer of assets other than for full consideration