Whatsonstage.com has named InterAct, the lead project of The Stagecoach Charitable Trust, as the adopted charity for the 2013 Whatsonstage.com Awards. The four-month campaign for this year’s 13th annual “theatregoers’ choice” Awards is held in aid of InterAct and its work.
The InterAct project is The Stagecoach Charitable Trust’s lead project and is committed to providing inclusive drama, dance and singing workshops which create opportunities for disadvantaged youngsters to join mainstream children. Participants also develop and learn valuable “skills for life” by having the chance to engage in the arts, in order to develop their imagination through creativity.
Terri Paddock, Managing and Editorial Director at Whatsonstage.com, said: ‘‘At Whatsonstage.com, we believe that theatre is a tremendous force for good, and one that can really and truly change people’s lives. InterAct is a powerful demonstration of that belief in action. We have chosen InterAct as our adopted charity for the 2013 Whatsonstage.com Awards because of all that it does with underprivileged and disadvantaged youth in breaking down barriers and introducing them to the arts. We hope that, through the Awards campaign, we can help InterAct raise more awareness and funds for this invaluable work.”
Stephanie Manuel, co-founder of Stagecoach Theatre Arts, said: “InterAct is for everyone, whatever their backgrounds who, for whatever reasons, find it difficult to join a part-time theatre school like Stagecoach.’’
InterAct’s Ambassador, actor Ed Stoppard, added: “InterAct’s aim is to include as many children as we can in the activities of drama, music and movement, with the same key outcomes of drama workshops, developing self-expression, gaining confidence and building self esteem.”
Mike McNulty, Chief Executive of The Stagecoach Charitable Trust, said: “We are delighted that Whatsonstage.com has nominated InterAct for their support. We hope that more people will learn about the workshops we offer and be keen to support us so that we can run even more!’
The Whatsonstage.com Awards celebrates the best actors and actresses as chosen by theatre goers and each year, Whatsonstage.com selects one arts-related charity as part of the Whatsonstage.com Awards campaign, in addition to the association with the best of British theatre and the proceeds received from the two Awards events.
InterAct runs nine after school workshops but plans to be running a total of 18 workshops nationwide by September 2013. The Trust hopes that the Whatsonstage.com Awards support will mean that even more disadvantaged young people will have the chance to be part of InterAct.
Anyone wanting to support InterAct by making a donation, please visit: www.justgiving.com/interact.