ABOUT THE THEATRE...

What's On...

General Information

Access

The theatre and NKCentre are fully accessible; The theatre welcomes Guide and Assistance Dogs and the theatre has an Infrared Induction Loop installed. [Please switch your hearing aid to the T position].  Please note:  the induction loop may be switched-off for live music events.

Parking

There is ample free parking onsite; disabled parking spaces are available immediately adjacent to the main entrance and in the main car park area. 

No Smoking

The Terry O'Toole Theatre and Nk Centre is a totally non-smoking site.

Refreshments

Enjoy a non-alcoholic soft drink or beverage in the theater foyer crush bar, or visit Bannister's Bar on the 1st floor of NK Centre for alcoholic drinks. Light snacks are also available from the NK Centre Cafe at times when Sports activities are scheduled.

Latecomers

Latecomers will not be admitted to the auditorium until a suitable break in the performance and then only at the discretion of the FOH Manager.

Children's Policy

Children under the age of 5 will only be admitted to family shows, children's theatre performances and pantomimes.

A ticket must be purchased for children over the age of 2 years. 

A complimentary 'Babe in Arms' ticket will be issued for children under 2 years, but the child must sit on the parent/carer's knee.  Young people under the age of 14 years should be accompanied by an adult to all shows.

Theatre History

The Terry O'Toole Theatre is a multifunctional performing arts venue. Its initial conception was, and remains, a collaboration between North Kesteven School (A Specialist School for the Performing Arts) Lincolnshire County Council and the North Kesteven District Council. The theatre is used by amateur and professional companies alike and, because of its flexible seating arrangements and state of the art technical equipment, has become a popular venue for many of the district's arts projects. The theatre is available for hire and has its own technical and administrative support team.

The theatre is named in memory of Terry O'Toole, formerly Headteacher and an unfailing supporter of the Arts.

Background

North Kesteven School, as part of its specialist status, was required to improve performing arts facilities through a capital project. This project began as the construction of a new purpose-built performance space for the school and grew into a £1.1m development of the school and local Leisure Centre, resulting in the addition of the theatre auditorium to the existing sports facilities, thereby creating a unique community leisure complex. The theatre building physically unites the School and Sports Centre. The project was jointly funded by NKDC, LCC and NKS.

The new arts accomodation houses school Music and Dance departments, practice rooms, a Recording Studio, theatre foyer cafe, a theatre greenroom, sports changing rooms, offices, NKDC Info Links community access point and the Terry O'Toole Theatre, which seats audiences of up to 268.

The school has an established partnership with North Kesteven District Council and Lincolnshire County Council for the policy and operation of the Leisure Complex of which the arts space is a part.

The Arts space is managed by a board, including representatives from North Kesteven School, North Kesteven District Council, Leisure Connection Ltd, the County Council and representatives from user groups.

The theatre is the responsibility of the school and is in daily use as a teaching space.

The day to day operation and delivery of activities is managed by an Officer Group including members of North Kesteven School's Performing Arts Team, officers from North Kesteven District Council, Leisure Connection Ltd and Lincolnshire County Council.

Mission Statement
To provide a focus for high quality arts activity in performance and process for the neighbourhood, the district and the region.

The Aims of the Theatre

1. To become a centre of excellence for the performing arts and arts education in the school and the wider community context locally, regionally and nationally.
2. To provide a programme of cultural diversity and high quality through a full range of professional performance and community activities in a vibrant, friendly and energetic environment.
3. To provide an environment that encourages the development of creation, participation and appreciation.

Objectives
To provide a focus for the Arts in performance and process for the neighbourhood, the district and the region.

The arts space will:
1. increase the opportunities for the performing arts in North Hykeham and surrounding area
2. increase professional performance, workshops and residencies.
3. provide a resource the like of which does not exist anywhere within the area.
4. adopt a marketing policy, that will aim to establish it as a centre synonymous with a variety of high quality professional and community work.
5. to extend arts education, provide outreach activity and contribute to lifelong learning.
6. give local community groups the opportunity to have a quality base.

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The theatre is run in partnership by North Kesteven School, North Kesteven District Council and Leisure Connection Ltd.

www. n-kesteven.gov.uk          www.leisureconnection.co.uk