The Palace Theatre has awarded its latest Our Past Your Future Fund grants to four local young people pursuing a career in the arts.
The Fund was set up in 2020 as a legacy scheme to mark the Theatre’s 100th birthday. To honour a centenary at the heart of Newark, the Palace team wanted to help ensure that culture would continue to thrive in the local area by supporting young residents aged 16 to 25 with their creative career ambitions.
This year, the Theatre received 15 applications covering a wide range of disciplines, from ballet to sound recording, musical theatre, choreography and fashion design.
Tommy-Lee Storr was awarded the main prize of £1500. He will be using the money to support his BA (Hons) in Musical Theatre at the prestigious Emil Dale Academy. Tommy-Lee has already made a strong impact in Newark’s art scene, taking part in Newark Amateur Operatic Society’s productions from age 11 onwards, training at the local Elaine Varney School of Dance and, more recently, leading classes himself at Studio29 and supporting Market Place events with Newark Town Council.
Carys Coulton-Jones, Business Manager for Heritage and Culture at Newark and Sherwood District Council, said: “We were truly impressed with Tommy-Lee’s interview where his passion really shone through. He made it clear that he wants to continue giving back to the community and inspiring future generations which is exactly what the Our Past, Your Future Fund is all about. I wish him all the best in his studies and his sparkling career! Break a leg!”
Further secondary grants were awarded to Harvey Woodward, Sophie Brown and Isobel Cropper who will be studying ballet at the Academy of Northern Ballet, Leeds, Location Sound at the National Film and Television School and musical theatre at Lincoln University respectively.
Councillor Rowan Cozens, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Heritage, Culture and the Arts at the District Council, said: “The number and variety of applications this year were really encouraging and are evidence of the talent and passion that our local area produces. I’m delighted to see the Palace Theatre continuing to champion the arts in Newark and Sherwood and I encourage everyone to support their local theatre so that this brilliant Fund can continue for many years.”
Palace Principal Sponsors Tallents Solicitors are partners in the project and the company’s Senior Partner Alistair Millar said: “Tallents Solicitors had already been practicing in Newark for 150 years when the Palace Theatre was established in 1920 and it’s been incredible to see how it has become just an important part of the Newark community we all live in. For over 100 years now, the Palace Theatre has had an exceptional pedigree in both welcoming, encouraging and inspiring emerging and upcoming creative talent in our market town.
“With our continuing support, we are delighted to be able to help the Palace Theatre Newark reach out to the local community and support those seeking to become involved in the wonderful world of theatre and performing arts. This year, the selection of a winner was made even harder by the exceptional range of talents shown by the applicants. We are delighted that Tommy-Lee will now be able to pursue his dream of a musical theatre degree with the help of the Our Past Your Future Fund.”
The team at the Palace Theatre are next looking forward to the national tour of Blood Brothers visiting their stage from 22 to 26 October and then will be gearing up for the festive fun of panto season for this year’s seasonal spectacular Aladdin.
Image: Our Past Your Future Fund recipient Tommy-Lee Storr in this year’s production of Evita by Newark Amateur Operatic Society
