Mayflower has announced a transformative new programme that will deliver outstanding theatre opportunities directly into schools and community hubs across Southampton.
In partnership with Oasis Academy Lordshill, Redbridge Community School, and St. Patrick’s Primary School, Mayflower is expanding its youth strategy to reach more young people and families than ever before – particularly those facing barriers to attending theatre venues.
The St. Patrick’s School initiative is in collaboration with Southampton & IOW Music, a growing partnership of local, regional and national organisations, working together to build an inspiring and inclusive programme of music making that reflects the cultural diversity of our areas.
Having reviewed its youth engagement strategy, Mayflower is committed to creating deeper, more meaningful impact across all Southampton communities. By embedding arts activity within schools themselves, the programme removes barriers, builds confidence, and opens the door to the life-changing power of musical theatre.
Across all three schools, students will benefit from a shared core offer, including:
- Regular musical theatre workshops led by professional artists and practitioners
- Performance opportunities both in-school and at Mayflower venues
- Production arts and backstage pathways, giving students hands-on technical experience
- Theatre visits for students (and in many cases, their families) with subsidised or free travel
- Creative learning activities supporting curriculum aims, cultural capital, and arts progression
- Clear pathways into Mayflower’s wider youth participation programmes
- Opportunities to meet industry professionals and learn about careers in the arts
This unified offer ensures that more young people regardless of background, postcode, or prior experience can participate, progress, and feel part of Southampton’s vibrant cultural life.
While each school receives the same core programme, individual partnerships include unique elements shaped around the needs of their communities.
Teachers will receive specialist training with one becoming the production’s musical director and students will help shape the arts offer through a new Ministry of the Arts. All pupils will also enjoy theatre trips with free travel.
“We’re committed to making the arts accessible to all communities,” said Patrick O’Sullivan, Head of Participation at Mayflower. “Bringing our work into schools ensures young people can experience the transformative power of live performance.”
These partnerships reflect a shared mission between Mayflower and the schools:
- To promote access to the arts for all young people
- To nurture the next generation of theatre makers, audiences, and leaders
- To strengthen the cultural fabric of Southampton through education and community collaboration
The initial partnership period runs from October 2025 to July 2026, with all organisations committed to reviewing impact and exploring expansion across more schools in the future.
- In Common is not for profit. We rely on donations from readers to keep the site running. Could you help to support us for as little as 25p a week? Please help us to carry on offering independent grass roots media. Visit: https://www.patreon.com/incommonsoton