The Yard Theatre Limited

ABOUT THE YARD

The Yard is an award-winning theatre, venue and community space in Hackney Wick, East London. 

On our stage we produce a wide range of critically-acclaimed shows, this year showcasing the stunning An unfinished Man by Dipo Baruwa-Etti and the hit SAMSKARA, an explosive fusion of physical theatre, hip-hop dance and text by Hackney-born Lanre Malaolu. 

In our bar we work with some of London’s most exciting collectives, promoters and artists to host and create performances, events and club nights, creating shared experiences until the early hours. Hosting parties such as Inferno, Pride of Arabia, Misery, Beauty & The Beat, and both regular and one-off events, our programme reflects the best of London’s nightlife. 

In our community spaces we host and support a programme of events and activities for local residents, including running a food bank, after-school art clubs and accessibly priced yoga. Plus every week we support 100 young people aged 4-19 to create extraordinary theatre in our free Yard Young Artists programme. 

We identify and support artists who have a voice we haven’t heard before. We have launched the careers of a number of artists who have gone on to be a major influence in wider culture, from dance company Project O (Voodoo, Sadler’s Wells), to writer/performer Michaela Coel (I May Destroy You), to writer/director Alex Zeldin (Love, National Theatre).

“You all are brilliant for making the Hackney Wick community the focus, and making the space for them to come together” (Hackney Wick Town Hall attendee, summer 2021).

WHY WE NEED YOUR SUPPORT

The Yard is a registered charity, we have to raise 60% of our funding through donations and grants. Each year, your support makes it possible for:

• 70 local children and young people (7 - 21) to grow in confidence, make new friends, and embark on exciting creative careers.
• 100s more school pupils and young people aged 25 and under to see extraordinary, affordable theatre.
• Groundbreaking artists to connect with audiences and grow their careers.
• Musicians, DJs, and promoters from marginalised backgrounds (Black, Brown and Global Majority; LGBTQ+) to create space for their communities.

A few of the many ways we achieve this include:

• Running hundreds of free workshops and masterclasses run by professional, internationally-recognised artists for young people.
• Offering £5 subsidised tickets to local schools with free previews for teachers, and workshops and Q&A sessions with the creative team to deepen learning; and £5 NO EMPTY SEATS tickets for under 25s.
• Commissioning writers and artists at all career levels to develop and present new work across our spaces.
• Working closely with musicians, DJs and promoters, front of house staff and security teams to create spaces that are safe and accessible for all.

WHO WE ARE

The Yard was founded in 2011 in a disused warehouse, using recycled materials from The Olympic Park. by a team of 50 volunteers. Today The Yard has become “a vital local cultural anchor” (local planning authority) in less than 10 years thanks to making extraordinary theatre.

In 2016, our commitment to supporting residents and the development of Hackney Wick led to us managing Hub67, a community space built by the local planning authority. This was followed in 2019 by the opening of The Hall in East Village. These spaces have helped support Yard Young Artists: an annual programme of free drama-based activities for 4 - 21 year olds, and Yard XL: support for local residents to develop activities of their own.

We’ve helped launch the careers of extraordinary artists. Michaela Coel’s Chewing Gum Dreams was first performed at The Yard as a one-woman show in 2012 before transferring to National Theatre and becoming a BAFTA award-winning E4 series. In 2014, Alexander Zeldin’s Beyond Caring also transferred to the National Theatre from The Yard, touring nationally and internationally before being made into a BBC film. Josh Azouz's first play The Mikvah Project was produced by The Yard in 2015 following an open call; Josh has since had work commissioned and produced by Headlong Theatre and Almeida Theatre. 

"Yardlings is the Best"

WHAT PEOPLE SAY ABOUT US

“To have an outstanding organisation like The Yard offer my students the opportunity to experience drama provision of such quality and depth is essential. Without it, the cultural life of my students would be greatly diminished” -  Paul Daintry, Lammas School & Sixth Form

“When people grumble about theatre being middle-aged they aren’t looking in the right places. In London’s Hackney Wick, the Yard glimmers with new life. Focused and adventurous.” Susannah Clapp, The Observer

"The Yard, led by Jay Miller, has a big talent for spotting, developing and nurturing the theatre artists of tomorrow.  This work, which is The Yard's raison d'être, is helping to guarantee the future of London's theatre.  The Yard's single core resource is Jay's energy and commitment and boundless imagination.  It needs and deserves support."   David Lan CBE, playwright, theatre producer and director 

“It gives young artists the kind of opportunities that can transform their careers. And it gives its audiences a wonderful night out” - Sir Nicholas Hytner, The Bridge 

“The future has arrived in Hackney Wick in the form of The Yard” – Lyn Gardner, The Guardian