Theatres play an ever increasing civic role in their towns and cities, continuing to ensure our high streets are attractive places full of cultural vitality and helping to attract tourists and visitors. However maintaining theatre buildings is increasingly more challenging as some local authorities reduce their levels of financial support and the impact of climate change results in higher energy costs and more damage from intense storms and flooding.

Each year the Trust hosts an annual conference to develop the debate on what makes a good theatre.  Conference 08 discussed Building Sustainable Theatres and reducing a theatre's carbon footprint, and we were able to draw up a series of 'Theatres Sustainability Principles' (download Conference 08 Report). Conference 12 Delivering Sustainable Theatres enabled us to celebrate the work undertaken by London theatres through our ERDF funded Ecovenue project to improve their environmental performance and welcomed the President of Civic Voice, Griff Rhys Jones, as our keynote speaker. We discussed ways theatres could harness the four pillars of sustainability - economic, social, environmental and cultural - to work towards a more sustainable future (download the Conference 12 Report).

We are delighted to announce that The Theatres Trust’s 8th annual conference, Conference 14: Community Theatres, taking place on 28 April at City Varieties in Leeds, will look at how theatres are actively using the community rights agenda to help deliver a sustainable future for theatres   This year, as new �?Community Rights’ give people more of a say on running their local communities, Conference 14 Chairman Henry Bonsu, our high profile keynote speakers and experienced contributors will consider the role local groups increasingly play as providers of theatres and spaces for theatre, and look to actively empower attendees and the wider theatre industry to harness these initiatives.

The new Community Rights agenda is an important new area which offers many opportunities for community theatres. Community Rights are enshrined in law (under the Localism Act 2011) – and include the �?Community Right to Challenge’, �?Community Right to Bid’, �?Community Right to Build’ and Neighbourhood Planning.

To take advantage of this legislation well organised community organisation and participation is essential, but so is being able to articulate a theatre’s community value and how the theatre furthers the social and cultural well-being and interests of its community.

In the sumptuous surroundings of the Grade II* listed City Varieties Music Hall in Leeds (above) attendees will hear first-hand from a range of speakers who are harnessing their rights, and currently involved in capital projects, trying to purchase buildings and looking after community theatres, including London’s Ovalhouse, Taunton’s Tacchi Morris Arts Centre, Telford’s Clifton, and Cast in Doncaster. 

You will also hear from industry leaders including Stephen Williams MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, on the listing of new Assets of Community Value; Sir Peter Bazalgette will explain about the investment Arts Council England is making through its national portfolio organisations (NPOs), Grants for the Arts, strategic funds and the National Lottery; and Ben Greener will outline the Heritage Lottery Fund’s new Heritage Enterprise programme.

Join the debate on community theatres and discover how you can use the Community Rights agenda to support your theatre - click here to find out more about how to attend.   

As part of PLASA’s Professional Development Programme join Theatres Trust Director and Conference 14 Reporter Dominic Cavendish at our post-Conference seminar “Championing Community Theatres”, at PLASA Focus on Tuesday 29 April.

¦     www.theatrestrust.org.uk