family friendly design in all areas including a new cafe/bar and creative play space
Why are we doing this?
Why is this important?
Research has shown the importance of attending and participating in theatre to young people. It raises aspirations, improves academic performance, develops confidence, encourages team-work, cooperation and creative risk-taking, develops empathy and emotional intelligence and gives children the skills, curiosity and creativity they need to understand the complex world we live in. Theatre engagement amongst young people in the UK has decreased in recent years. We want to change that.
Theatre-going is a habit. Instilled in children early it can last a lifetime. The same goes for not going.
Theatre... gives our children the skills and creativity necessary to face the world, to understand it and perhaps to change it too.
the vision
A theatre venue in Scotland, dedicated to producing, receiving and promoting better access to theatrical productions for young people and families as well as promoting participation by young people aged 0 to 25 in performance and creative learning activities in a professional environment.
Inspired by young people focused venues in England including Theatre Hullabaloo in Darlington, Polka Theatre, Half Moon Theatre, Unicorn Theatre and Chickenshed in London and Contact in Manchester.
The space will house a mid-scale traditional 350 seat main proscenium arch dedicated theatre, a small scale 80-100 seat flexible studio theatre / creative learning space and a community creative play and workshop space. The spaces will be complemented by a family friendly café/bar facility with informal performance area, dressing rooms, reading snug and exhibition space for young visual artists. The space will be fully accessible, autism friendly, and co-designed and developed at every stage with a group of ‘young architects’.
The project has an estimated cost of £2.4m and has already received £300k of support from Renfrewshire Council. Initial works will start in March 2020 with an aim to open by Christmas 2021.
I am a child of Paisley – my mother was an enthusiastic member of the amateur dramatic society in the 1930s – and I can’t think of any theatrical cause more vital, more worthy and more exciting than the building of a new theatre by PACE. Send money and wish it godspeed.
Individuals. Businesses. Friends. We can't do this without you. #playyourpart
funding partners
latest updates
Work on the next phase in the development of Exchange, Scotland’s first theatre for children, young people and families, commences this week in Paisley. Contractors Elmwood Projects have
Exchange Theatre has received a major boost to its capital campaign this week, with the confirmation of two significant awards from charitable foundations. We are delighted to acknowledge grants
The ongoing project to build a new community theatre space in Paisley town centre has taken a huge step forward after an £800,000 funding boost was confirmed. PACE
The fundraising campaign for Exchange, a new community theatre in Paisley for children,young people and families, has taken another significant step forward as PACE welcomes prominent Paisley businessman
location
Why Renfrewshire?
Renfrewshire has the highest number of weekly participants in participatory youth theatre activities in Scotland [YTAS Sector Mapping Report, 2015]. We want to building on our successful level of participation with an increased programme of high quality performances for children and young people.
History
The site appears to be at approximately the same location as Paisley’s first purpose built theatre The Abercorn, built in 1882, detroyed by fire in 1889. The current building was contsructed in 1932 and has been used as a dance hall, templar hall, telephone exchange, and night club and has lain empty since 2004.
Transport Links
The building is directly across the road from Paisley Gilmour Street Station, a 10 minute train ride from Glasgow Central.
We need help to let as many people as possible know about this project. Tell your friends and colleagues or share your support on social media. Write to your councillor, MSP or MP to pledge your support. Help us get the project in front of people who can help.
@exchangepaisley #futurepaisley #playyourpart exchangetheatre.org
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Email us at exchange@pacetheatre.co.uk, call us on 0345 130 5218.
We are the UK's largest youth theatre.
PACE Theatre Company is based in Paisley and was formed in 1988 and is a registered charity specialising in work with children and young people. It runs PACE Youth Theatre – the largest youth theatre of its kind in the UK, working with around 1,000 young people ages 3-21 every week. It also produces professional theatre productions including Paisley’s annual pantomime to audiences of over 17,000 every year, tours schools with educational performances, and hires out rehearsal studios, equipment and services from its Paisley base. We are passionate about the power of theatre and creativity to improve the lives of young people.
PACE is run by a core team of twelve permanent staff, employing over 40 freelance artists and technical staff, and 15 part-time front of house staff. We have a bursary and concessionary place scheme to help as many young people as possible gain access to life-changing arts skills and inspiring opportunities.
Former PACE Youth Theatre alumni include Richard Madden, James McAvoy, Paulo Nutini, James McArdle, Amy Conachan, Scott Reid, Shauna MacDonald and many more.
