Take a Seat: Community Ticket Fund

Supporting schools to access live theatre

Play to the Crowd believes every young person should have the chance to experience live performance. The Take a Seat: Community Ticket Fund helps remove financial and social barriers so school groups can attend the theatre.

What is the fund?

The Take a Seat: Community Ticket Fund offers free tickets or subsidised travel to support school visits to live performances at Theatre Royal Winchester. The fund is ring-fenced for our annual pantomime and RAW: Winchester's Contemporary Performance Week. RAW performances are yet to be announced, but schools are encouraged to register interest now.

Our aim is simple – to make sure every young person has the opportunity to experience live theatre, regardless of financial or social barriers.

Who can apply?

Open to state and special schools in Hampshire, with priority given to those in Winchester District. We prioritise schools that:

• Have around 25% or more pupils eligible for Pupil Premium
• Have an SEN unit and face financial barriers
• Support a high number of EAL, displaced or refugee students
• Experience limited access to arts and cultural opportunities

(Schools must meet one or more of the above criteria).

What schools receive

Successful schools will receive either:

• Free tickets for a class, year group or key stage (up to £500), or
• Subsidised travel costs (up to £500)

How to apply

Complete the application form, including:

• The production you'd like to attend
• Group numbers (children and adults)
• Approximate pupil demographics (PPG, SEN, EAL, refugee status)

Schools may apply more than once, though we aim to support new applicants where possible.