Education charity Mousetrap Theatre Projects has broken new ground, becoming the first UK theatre organisation to receive a Sandford Award for Heritage Education.
The award is given for quality and excellence in educational services, and was presented to Mousetrap Theatre Projects to mark the company’s overall education work with young people who are disadvantaged or have special needs, but particularly for its StageSeen programme for deaf and hard of hearing young people.
Speaking about the award, Susan Whiddington, Director of Mousetrap Theatre Projects said: “We are thrilled to receive this prestigious award for our education work and specifically for our newest programme for deaf and hard of hearing young people, opening the world of the theatre for them. We believe that theatre is a significant contributor to Britain’s cultural heritage and we are thrilled to be recognised for our part in bringing theatre to young people who would otherwise not have access to it.”
Mousetrap Theatre Projects was founded in 1997, since when it has taken more than 100,000 young people to the theatre, offering best seats from £5 to £10. Through 18 schemes, which include in-school education, workshops, talks and masterclasses, it offers a London theatre experience to young people who might otherwise not have that opportunity.
Julian Bird, Chief Executive of the Society of London Theatre (SOLT), commented: “I am delighted Mousetrap Theatre Projects has won a Sandford Award. To be the first theatre education organisation to be awarded a Sandford Award is an incredible accolade. On behalf of SOLT, I would like to congratulate Mousetrap Theatre Projects for its instrumental work in introducing young people to the magic of theatre, irrespective of their cultural, social or economic background. For the past six years SOLT has been a proud supporter of Mousetrap Theatre Projects, donating £150,000 a year, and we are thrilled to see its work recognised by the Heritage Education Trust.”
In addition to being the first UK theatre education organisation to receive the award, Mousetrap Theatre Projects also broke the mould by not being based at one specific venue, as is normally the case with the award being given to heritage sites.
Sandford Award judge Adam Clarke added: “Mousetrap’s work with hard to reach and seldom heard young people incorporates practice that could (and perhaps should) be transferred to all organisations and properties that deliver schools’ programmes. In enabling access to the West End stage, children are given access to a magical world that enables them to learn, create, socialise and grow.”