Lewisham Live is a collective of Lewisham arts and education organisations who collaborate each year to give young people incredible experiences, performing on professional stages. Events take place throughout the borough with support and mentoring from arts professionals and bring together the diverse communities of Lewisham in celebration of the immense talent of our local young people. 2018 marks the festival’s 9th year and will see 2000 young people perform over 4 weeks in March, supported by 10 brilliant local organisations and many teachers, musicians and dancers, who give their time for little or nothing. Despite a strong support network, overheads and other local factors have increased our costs to produce the festival. This year we’re seeking a small amount of money to keep our ticket prices affordable. Specifically, this will be for 4 events at the magnificent, art deco gem, the Broadway Theatre and ensure families can see their children perform.

What we'll deliver:

• Use your contribution to keep ticket prices low – with a top price of £8 and a £5 concession
• We’ll support 1000 young people to perform for audiences of up to 2,000 over four nights.
• We'll create lasting memories for children and families
• Allow young people to grow in confidence, learn dedication and discipline
• And see their loved ones perform on a professional stage.
• Give local young people a brilliant performance experience
• Let local people, who might not otherwise, experience this beautiful theatre

Why it's a great idea:

Lewisham Live is an annual Lewisham institution; looked forward to by thousands of children, teachers and families. The festival is open to all, no auditions, but the quality is amazing. Young performers of every background come from schools all over the borough. Live Dance and Live Voices at the Broadway Theatre are incredibly popular but even with packed houses, volunteers and in-kind support we can no longer cover our costs. Performing at the Broadway Theatre rather than a school or community hall makes such a difference to the experience for the young people; the big stage, lights, dressing rooms with film star mirrors and packed auditorium fuel the excitement. Your help will ensure we can continue to use this venue and give the performers and audience a night to remember.
Lewisham Live 2015 feedback:
• Performers: 93% rated it 4/5 stars
• Audience: 100% rated the shows as excellent/good.
• Teachers said: ‘This is an outstanding project ...’ ‘Please keep this going.’

Steps to get it done:

• We will be able to run technical/dress rehearsals for all performers on the day of their show
• We will use your contribution to keep ticket prices low
• We will produce programmes for each show that list all the performers by name that can be kept forever

The festival is run by 11 local organisations Blackheath Halls; Greenwich & Lewisham Young People's Theatre; Horniman Museum & Gardens; Lewisham Council - who do our design for free; Lewisham Education Arts Network; Lewisham Music; Lewisham Young Mayor's Team; Young Makers Agency; The Albany; Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance & XLP Help us by donating anything from £5: Give: £30 & get 2 tickets to a Lewisham Live event at the Broadway Theatre. £50 & get the above plus a social media shout-out for you or your business from Lewisham Live & a programme credit. £100 & get 2 tickets to two events at Broadway, a social media shout-out for you or your business from Lewisham Live partners, & a programme credit. £200 & get tickets to any festival events you’d like to attend, come for coffee & cake at a dress rehearsal at the Broadway Theatre and meet the young people, and a social media shout-out for you or your business from Lewisham Live partners & a programme credit.