At ARC, we believe every child should experience the wonder of live theatre.
That quiet moment when the lights dim, the story begins, and imagination takes over is something every child deserves to feel. This Christmas, we are working to bring that sense of magic to children and families across Stockton, especially those who may not otherwise have the chance.
ARC is based in one of Stockton’s most deprived wards, where many families face barriers that make attending live performances difficult.
The cost of tickets, the challenge of travel, and the pressures of everyday life can mean that many children simply miss out. We are determined to change this and ensure the joy of theatre reaches as many young people as possible.
This year, we are introducing two special initiatives designed to increase access and remove obstacles. For nurseries that struggle with transport, we have created a brand- new winter production that will tour directly to them. Developed in collaboration with a local theatre company, this show brings festive storytelling and creativity straight into early years settings, allowing children to experience live performance in a familiar environment.
For those families and schools who are able to visit us in person, we are keeping ticket prices affordable and offering free tickets to targeted groups. Our hope is that every child, regardless of background, can enjoy the magic of theatre during the Christmas season.
From 2 to 9 December, ARC is taking part in the Big Give Christmas Challenge. During this week, all donations made through our campaign page on the Big Give website will be doubled thanks to match funding. With up to £3,000 available in matched donations, we aim to unlock a total of £6,000 to support our work this Christmas.
Every contribution will help us keep performances accessible, bring our touring production to nurseries, and ensure children across Stockton can experience something truly special this winter. We are deeply grateful to our Champion Funder, the Reed Foundation, whose support plays a vital role in making this possible.
If you are able to support ARC this Christmas, we encourage you to donate during the campaign week so your gift can have twice the impact. Together, we can bring the magic of live performance to the children and families who need it most.