The Garek Trust has…

…funded an extra 5000 tickets for the ‘Curtain Up’ scheme; allowing children to experience live theatre with no financial barrier.

… fully funded a schools’ tour of a production in 2026, reaching over 2000 children.

…fully funded Polka Grads; a programme of industry events and masterclasses designed to ensure young people aged 12-15 continue to be included, inspired and develop their love of theatre.

…fully funded Talking Tales; a 3-year drama and oracy programme for 4,500 children aged 4-11 in partnership with 25 London-wide primary schools.

…donated significant funding towards the second year of the Polka Playwrighting Award.

…fully funded Creative Connections; a scheme designed to increase engagement with theatre and storytelling in schools.

…significantly contributed to Write Here Write Now; a project supporting children aged 7–9 who are struggling with literacy to build confidence, strengthen self-esteem and spark their imagination.

The Garek Trust has…

…funded the second year of, ‘The Garek Theatre Camp’; a 3-week theatrical summer camp based in London’s West End. The camp will run both a mainstream and SEND programme so that no child is excluded.

…funded 300 families to go to the theatre in Summer 2026 with ‘Family First Nights’.

…funded an all-schools Education Matinee, so that 5000 children and young people can see Sylvia live at The Royal Albert Hall.

…funded the pilot of Creative Connections; a project aimed at young people most at risk of exclusion. This project uses the power of theatre to create inspiring experiences, build confidence and unlock possibilities and opportunities.

The Garek Trust has funded…

…TADA!’s summer production of The Little Moon Theater, featuring a large cast of 25 young actors aged 8 – 18.

…the Arts for All Scholarship Fund. This fund ensures that financial need is never a barrier to participation in TADA!’s on-site musical theater semester classes and weeklong camps.

…the RYET Program. This program to helps to provide completely free instruction, mentorship, and performance opportunities. The young people involved are getting an immersive experience that will stay with them for the rest of their lives.

The Garek Trust has…

…secured continued access to musical learning through the Flagship Schools Programme. This means that more children who wouldn’t usually have the opportunity, can carry on learning and benefitting from free or discounted music lessons beyond year 2.

…enabled the Champions Programme to strengthen and expand. Now, young people aged 11–18 can continue their musical journey beyond primary school. This will allow more regular, high-quality performance opportunities, artist-led workshops, and the development of a strong peer community, extending both impact and progression.

…helped to support more than 100 families a year through The Garek Trust Bursary Scheme. This will reduce and sometimes remove the contribution that parents and carers are asked to provide towards their child’s involvement with the music programme in Key Stage 2.  

The Garek Trust has…

…funded the inaugural year of, ‘The Garek Theatre Camp’; a 3-week theatrical summer camp based in London’s West End. The camp will run both a mainstream and SEND programme so that no child is excluded.

…funded 300 families to go to the theatre in Summer 2025 with ‘Family First Nights’.

…fully funded an all-schools matinee of a production of Punch.

…funded a ‘relaxed’ performance of The Devil Wears Prada.

The Garek Trust has funded…

…The Secret Garden schools outreach program; this program will target a group of local schools and offer them a 5-day artist-lead workshop in their school.

…2500 Wonderfund tickets.

…Outreach Workshops with local partners.

…1 Junior Apprentice position.

…15 Summer Company Bursaries.

The Garek Trust has funded…

…the inaugural year of FairGround; an inclusive arts festival for children and young people from all backgrounds across Birmingham. FairGround will offer free creative workshops in partnership with other arts organisations and schools in the city.

…the Creative & Production Pathway which recognises the need to develop designated pathways for off-stage roles. Students will learn and collaborate under the guidance of a professional production team, working in the role through an apprentice model.

…bursary support for young musicians and actors.

The Garek Trust has…

…fully funded the MAP Summer Camp 2025. This theatre camp will see 20 young people from the Providence neighbourhood devise a performance, create scenery, and then perform their original works for a public audience. The four-week camp includes a 4-day camping trip to New Hampshire for rehearsals outdoors, hiking, swimming, stargazing and more!

The Garek Trust has funded…

…Everett’s Apprenticeship Program; helping young artists to develop their professional skills. The program will provide stipend pay so that students are able to commit to the program alongside their education and positive personal development.

…Everett School; students at Everett School learn to value and nurture their inner resources and speak with their own voices. ES is a laboratory where students and teachers are supported, as artists, through their work of creation and discovery; a learning system based on collaboration and play.

The Garek Trust has funded…

…an Additional Production. At the heart of TADA! is the Resident Youth Ensemble of TADA! (RYET program), a completely free, year-round musical theater pre-professional training performance, composed of 80 talented youths aged 8-18.

…an Original Commission. TADA!’s original productions are unique from other youth theaters; scores are composed for young people’s voices and a professional theater environment is replicated  throughout rehearsals, with an aim to instil a strong sense of community, confidence, and responsibility.

The Garek Trust has…

…donated significant funding towards Summer Stage. TGT grant will support two week-long performing arts summer schools.

…funded 300 families to go to the theatre in Summer 2024 with ‘Family First Nights’

The Garek Trust has funded…

…2500 Wonderfund tickets

…2 weeks junior apprentices work experience

…15 summer company 2025 bursary places

…1 pipeline apprentice

…5 theatre school bursaries

…2 pipeline production internships