ABOUT

Academy Theatre will function in three specific ways -

1. As a home and focus for community arts activities

2. As a receiving and producing house

3. As home for BAPA (a centre for performing arts training and excellence)

Community arts activities will include the use of the facilities by local groups, such as the existing Shepton Mallet Theatre Group which (amongst other productions) mounts a successful and popular annual pantomime.

There will be a particular focus on promoting the use of the complex by local disadvantaged groups, including those addressing access issues (e.g. by reason of disability, social factors and poverty).

It is also envisaged that community uses will include the provision of public courses for various arts disciplines, e.g. summer workshops in music and drama (a successful summer drama weekend was held in 2007), as well as School Courses – workshops and training programmes relevant to local schools and their curriculum – a programme is already being devised with Whitstone School in Shepton Mallet.

Artistic uses – Theatre, Music, Art - Since the re-opening of the complex there has already been a number of theatre performances (such as BAPA’s acclaimed summer 2007 production of The Witches of Eastwick), concerts, and art exhibitions in the foyer.

It is a cherished goal that the theatre will become a regular receiving house for touring productions, as well as continuing to house the home-grown productions of BAPA students.

The foyer art exhibitions have been especially well received and will be continued and expanded.