In 2017 after seeing a performance of Barber Shop Chronicles at the National Theatre, Tobi Kyeremateng felt compelled to do something to help more young Black people get to the theatre. She set up Black Ticket Project. It raised funds to help people, who have not accessed and do not have the means to access theatre, get their hands on some tickets. Since 2017 the project has helped people see Nine Night, ear for eye, Poet in Da Corner, Misty, Sylvia, Dreamgirls, SUPERBLACKMAN and the BAC Beatbox Academy’s Frankenstein. Black Ticket Project is now delighted to be announcing its biggest project to date.
A partnership with the musical Caroline, Or Change – lead by the inspirational performer Sharon D. Clarke – will see 500 young Black people have access to a free ticket to the show through the scheme. Tobi Kyeremateng said:
“The momentum behind this project is really building. I am thrilled that so many young Black people will experience this amazing show. We have worked with a wide range of youth organisations and through social media to ensure that the tickets get to the right people. It is so exciting that an idea born one night at the theatre almost 2 years ago, has grown so fast and is attracting the interest and support of so many people. I am very grateful to Sharon and all the wonderful company of Caroline, Or Change”.
In addition to the free tickets which were all taken up in record time, Black Theatre Project will be raising money through bucket collections after every performance of Caroline, Or Change. In a scheme called Change For Change, all the money raised will be used to buy tickets for future productions for more young Black people to attend, or will cover their supplementary costs (eg. travel) to ensure the easiest access to the shows.
Sharon D. Clarke said: “This scheme is just brilliant. It provides the opportunity for more young Black people to get to the theatre, to find out what it is all about and to, hopefully, get the bug of becoming a regular theatregoer. I am sure it is going to play a big part in changing the diversity of theatre audiences in the UK and for that it is to be supported and applauded.”
