Welcome to the
Derby New Theatre Association

In February 2003 twenty non-professional performing arts groups appointed a steering group to investigate the provision of performing arts venues in Derby. The conclusion reached was that in comparison with cities of similar size in the UK, most of them with fewer resident performing arts groups, the number and scope of venues available in Derby is inadequate. Our brief is now to research how to establish a performance venue for the use of non-professional groups that will meet the expectations of the member groups and other groups operating in and around the city.

The Derby New Theatre Association was inaugurated on 23rd June 2003. The objects of the Association are:

1. to establish and operate a theatre in the City of Derby for the benefit of the community
2. to raise funds for the furtherance of the project
3. to seek registration as a charity under the Charities Act - ACHIEVED

In October 2007 DNTA presented a petition to the Chief Executive of Derby City Council. The petition was signed by the chairmen of 23 of Derby's amateur theatre groups and urged the Derby City Council to;

• reduce hire charges for amateur groups at the Assembly Rooms and Guildhall, or to provide grants towards meeting ever-increasing costs
  
• apply pressure on Derby Playhouse to make its Main House accessible to amateur groups at reasonable times and at an affordable hire charge. Reasonable times means not just when the theatre is 'dark' in July/August but on appropriate weeks throughout the year
  
• honour its commitment to reconvene the Steering Group on Performance Spaces in the city to decide on a way to take forward the proposals in the Locum Report jointly commissioned by the Derby City Council and Arts Council England
  
• actively pursue ways to ensure that Derby's last remaining traditional theatre building - The Hippodrome in Green Lane - is preserved and brought back into use as a theatre for use by amateur groups and touring professional theatre companies.

NEWS!

Statement on the Playhouse Closure:
Our experience of trying to work with the former management of the Derby Playhouse leaves us with little or no confidence of any future productive relationship with them. This is compounded by Jonathan Powers' statement in the Derby Telegraph whereby he states that his priority is to secure the theatre for 'professional theatre groups'. We will support any proposal by the Derby City Council to return the Playhouse to the community. DNTA are interested in discussing any future management of the theatre on a partnership basis.

DNTA announce launch of community theatre brochure:
DNTA has launched the first community theatre events brochure in Derby. It is entitled “Spotlight”. You can pick up a SpotLight at one of the ArtsBoxes in cafés around the city or from your local library or the Tourist Office.

Why not apply to join the Association now and become a founding member of this exciting project.

"MAKING DRAMA OUT OF A CRISIS"

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Derby New Theatre Association is a Registered Charity No. 1112273