A THEATRE course for young people can continue, thanks to a donation from Friends of Swindon Arts Centre.

The Young People’s Backstage Theatre began in January at the Arts Centre with 15 people aged between 12 and 20 working towards their Bronze Arts Award.

After workshops, including prop making, costume design, stage management, sound design/operation, lighting design/operation and technical training, the students worked on the first scene of Little Shop of Horrors.

Thanks to the donation, students can now go through to a second term, when they will further develop their skills and complete the first half of the Silver Arts Award.

Jenny Blackwood, who organised and ran the course, said: “FoSAC has enabled us to enhance the quality of the course through inviting professional theatre technicians and taking the students to see a show and have a backstage tour of the Theatre Royal Bath.”

Emma Gray, 16, said: “I enjoyed designing props. It was my kind of thing and felt really good doing it. I really like the teachers and the groups.”

The students have gained opportunities such as technical interviews for the West Side Story Youth Project at the Wyvern Theatre, technical volunteering at the Big Arts Day and also getting involved in an outdoor theatre production at Lydiard Park.