Thunk-It Theatre’s young performers in Misfit Fairytales
YORK company Thunk-It Theatre will become Pocklington Arts Centre’s first associate company, formalising a creative partnership developed over several years.
The new association reflects Pocklington Arts Centre’s commitment to supporting the local cultural economy, while building on both organisations’ shared goal of increasing the number of accessible creative opportunities in the North and East Yorkshire area.
After collaborating on a range of projects, Thunk-It Theatre will continue to use Pocklington Arts Centre as a base to develop exciting new productions, engage the community and nurture emerging talent.
Juliette Risingham, Thunk-It Theatre’s associate director, says: “We’re absolutely delighted to become an associate company of Pocklington Arts Centre. This partnership feels like a natural next step in a relationship that has grown over several years through shared values, ambitious projects and a genuine commitment to making the arts accessible to everyone.”
“From developing our Youth Theatre to creating large-scale community projects such as 25/5, Pocklington Arts Centre has continually championed our work and believed in our vision. Together we’ve created opportunities for young people, families and local communities to connect through creativity, and we’re incredibly excited about what comes next.
“Becoming an associate company gives us an even stronger foundation to nurture local talent and continue creating theatre that belongs to the people who take part in it. We can’t wait to begin this next chapter together.”
Known for its diverse, year-round programme of live comedy, music, theatre and exhibitions, Pocklington Arts Centre has established a strong reputation over the past 25 years as East Yorkshire’s cultural hub, but its contribution to the community extends far beyond its live events.
From its dementia-friendly Singing For Fun group to its newly formed Arts and Dramatic Society, the venue hosts a variety of regular creative groups, offering a welcoming space for communities to connect and creativity to flourish.
Launching its associate company programme is a natural progression for the venue and marks a further step forward in its ambition to champion East Yorkshire talent and support the development of new work that is inclusive and accessible to all.
Pocklington Arts Centre (PAC) director Kelly Munro-Fawcett says: “We’re delighted to welcome Thunk-It Theatre as our first associate company. They create fantastic, accessible theatre, and we’re excited to support their work as they continue to grow. We want PAC to be a place where local artists can develop, new ideas can flourish and creative partnerships can thrive, so this feels like a really exciting step for us.”
Thunk-It Theatre is developing a number of new shows and community projects, with further details to be announced in the coming months.
More information on Pocklington Arts Centre and its programme, including Thunk-It productions, can be found at pocklingtonartscentre.co.uk.