Championing culture

"Size isn’t everything” is particularly true of theatre. Smaller spaces can put on incredibly engaging and intimate performances. This is why I got involved with the Tobacco Factory Theatre – because of the sheer joy I got from the performances I saw there. I’ve also had a sense that, as a smaller arts organisation, it gets real benefit from any efforts I’ve made by volunteering either my time or my money.

I’m more than happy for the theatre to use the passion of people like me who are pleased to do whatever we can to get involved. Using volunteers to do anything from selling programmes in the auditorium to distributing flyers in the local community is a great way of involving people who are eager to act as ambassadors for the theatre. And in return, we feel part of the life-blood of the place. I have found a warmth and familiarity with both the building and the people working there. It feels like coming home when, after a long day working in an office, I can relax into a performance – even if I’m only helping out by distributing tickets. It’s also helped to build the bond between me as a member of the audience and the ongoing future of the theatre. In a very minor way, I am able to meet up with some of the people shaping the future direction of the theatre and feel that my small voice can be heard. It may sometimes only be hearing about next season’s shows a bit earlier than the new brochure is sent out but even that’s enough to cement my loyalty.

Particularly now, I also recognise that individuals getting involved financially helps to spread the funding away from any one source for the theatre. The people turning up each week are the firm fans who are there because they value what the organisation does. So I’m glad to give some additional money to support that, and it isn’t something that a theatre should be afraid to ask for. Individual donations may not be as fruitful as corporate ones but they do help share the load, and it’s possibly easier to keep the ongoing relationship with the individuals. If anything, you’d struggle to keep us away! The current buzzword ‘philanthropy’ seems a grand way of talking about what we do. I’m just helping in whatever way I can to keep a place I feel passionate about continue its fine work.