A Theatre For Tomorrow update

Last year we began work on a huge redevelopment project, the first of its kind in our 26-year history. Our journey to becoming A Theatre For Tomorrow saw the project focusing on visitor experience and putting community and access at its heart.

The project has been made possible by the support we’ve had from Arts Council England, Kirklees Council and Garfield Weston Foundation. We also could not be doing it without your support. Over £10,000 has been raised so far from over 2,000 donations. The Lawrence Batley Theatre was built by and for the community, and this redevelopment is continuing that legacy. Thanks to the generosity of our wonderful community of supporters, we’ve begun transforming the building.

The main house has been fully renovated with all the seats replaced, improving sight lines, increasing comfort, and creating better access for a more inclusive theatre. We’ve built a brand-new dressing room with level access and facilities for people with limited mobility, helping to open up the theatres programme to a broader range of artists. Our green room has been brightened up and kitted out with a kitchenette, new furniture and refreshed decoration, to allow our performers and backstage teams a comfortable relaxation space. We’ve also installed eco-friendly LED lighting and an upgraded sound system to improve the audience experience. A sparkly new lift, new signage, and renovated toilets are also on their way.

Our brand-new participation space is nearly ready, set to become home to workshops, masterclasses, and creative opportunities for our community. With just the electrics and the kitchen left to go in, we can’t wait to welcome you into the space, launching September 2022.

Any donations, big or small, will help us completely transform the building so we can nurture more local talent. We aim to provide a broader range of opportunities for our community to engage with the arts, and this will help us to fulfil our mission to be the creative heart of Huddersfield and Kirklees.

You can donate using the links below and with your help we can become A Theatre For Tomorrow.