Theatre Royal Wakefield honoured with Theatre of Sanctuary Award
“It is the first time that I have experienced live theatre and played a part in a group. I really enjoyed” – A sanctuary seeker participant in the Theatre Workshops
On Thursday 17 October, City of Sanctuary recognised the fantastic work done by the Theatre Royal Wakefield to support asylum and welcome by bestowing a Theatre of Sanctuary award on the historic institution in the heart of the Wakefield community. The national award recognises the theatre’s achievement in creating a space of welcome and sanctuary in the city. Achieving the award capped a year-long engagement process between the Theatre, the Wakefield District of Sanctuary group and the national City of Sanctuary team.
The theatre has demonstrated clear commitment to promoting sanctuary by adopting an organisation-wide approach to learning about asylum and refugee issues and by implem
enting projects such as the Conversation Club and “Stories”. The “Stories” project brought together refugees and asylum seekers with local residents in a series of workshops. The Theatre has also programmed a series of productions which explore migration and the refugee experience and has participated in local Refugee Week events.
To mark the occasion, the theatre hosted a celebration in its Centre for Creativity space and invited guests from across the city. City of Sanctuary Regional Coordinator Sara Trewhitt presented the national award to the Theatre Royal Wakefield Executive Director Katie Town. Dick Davies, 
Chair of the Wakefield District of Sanctuary (WDoS) group,spoke about the key partnership that has been formed between the Theatre and WDoS. Dick spoke movingly about the role that arts such as theatre can make to support healing and integration in communities. Kate Town shared about how the theatre intends to carry forward its work to promote inclusion in the coming months and years. Finally, Theatre Royal’s Head of Learning and Participation, Rhiannon Hannon unveiled a lovely copper plaque specially crafted to mark the award. Photo credits: Amy Charles Media
To learn more about the amazing work undertaken by the theatre to promote links between the local community and sanctuary seekers, please check out this lovely video: