Bamboo structure of The Galley with colorful ribbons and a lantern in a sunny plaza. People gather in the background near modern glass buildings, creating a festive atmosphere.

Artistic Policy

As we start our second decade, Cast has become an important arts venue in Doncaster and beyond. We believe in everyone's creative potential and the arts' ability to transform lives. Our mission is to enrich lives, inspire creativity, and help build vibrant communities in Doncaster and the wider area.

Our Artistic Program 
 

At Cast, we strive to curate and produce a diverse, high-quality artistic program that resonates with our community. Our goals include:

  • Connecting with Our Community: We aim to engage and inspire audiences throughout Doncaster.
  • Addressing Engagement Barriers: We focus on reaching individuals in areas with historically low arts engagement.
  • Promoting Equity: Our work prioritizes addressing social inequality, particularly in health and education.

Partnerships and Relationships


We believe in the power of collaboration. By building relationships with local organisations, community groups, educational institutions, businesses, and the creative sector, we create meaningful connections within our community. Listening to our partners and being responsive to local needs allows us to forge long-lasting relationships grounded in trust and mutual support.

Our Artistic Programme's Main Strands
 

At the heart of our efforts are our core values: Welcoming Everybody, Creating Culture Together, and Making a Difference. We strive to uphold these principles to foster trust and build strong relationships.
Our program encompasses four key areas:

  1. Presented Work: Featuring professional touring productions and community performances.
  2. Produced Work: Including co-commissions and original productions tailored to our community.
  3. Participation Program: Offering everyone in Doncaster opportunities to engage with the arts.
  4. Artist Development: Supporting and nurturing local talent.

Presented Work

Our curated program features a wide selection of national touring productions suitable for our main house, second space, and outdoor spaces within the city. We present a mix of innovative contemporary pieces, classics, popular shows, music events and international works. This diverse offering serves as a gateway for new cultural experiences and encourages repeat attendance, ensuring we cater to the unique needs of our audiences and reflect contemporary Britain and our local community. 

A White female performer with brown hair wearing a black dress sings into a microphone.

Productions
 

Each year, we deliver a range of productions, including our beloved annual pantomime and upcoming early years’ Christmas show in 2025. Our productions often respond to community interests or events, leveraging partnerships with organisations like the National Theatre and The Performance Ensemble to create engaging experiences.

Two older performers lean back with hands over their hearts, one white woman on a wooden chair and one black man in a wheelchair.

Participation
 

Our participation program prioritises inclusivity, ensuring all Doncaster communities have access to the arts. We address local challenges such as poverty and health disparities by providing financial support and accessible participation opportunities. Collaborating with local and national organisations, we deliver professional and community-led productions while fostering creativity among local artists and young people. As Doncaster’s only professional theatre, we are dedicated to championing diverse narratives and inspiring the next generation of audiences and professionals, alongside our well-established youth theatre.

Six young performers on stage are light by a emerald green light as confetti falls to the ground and the jump in exhilaration. This photo is from the 2023 Cast Youth Theatre production of Time Casters.

Artist Development
 

Our Artist Development program nurtures local talent, providing essential support for early and mid-career artists. Given Doncaster's low levels of arts funding, we are committed to advancing our cultural ecology by mentoring, providing training, and offering performance opportunities and rehearsal spaces to artists connected to Doncaster and South Yorkshire.

Two White female performers in a black-box studio. One wears all black, standing with arms spread and has a light shining from a bag on her chest. The other woman sits on a chair wearing a red top and wrapped to the chest in a duvet.
A joyful diverse group of people raise their hands in a room. A smiling woman wearing a hijab and a floral dress stands with children around her, creating an uplifting atmosphere.

Take Part

Be part of our creative community with opportunities for both young people and adults to explore performance, build confidence, and support their creative health
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A White female performer in her late 30s wearing a grey cardigan and a blonde ponytail speaks into a microphone. She holds a script.

For Artists

We provide a range of opportunities, resources, and support for theatre makers at every stage of their career, from emerging artists to established professionals
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Partnerships

  1. Two older performers dressed in white dance together, one White woman with grey hair and one bald Black man in a wheelchair.

    Over 50s Shine in Sinfonia

    A company of over 50s from across Doncaster dominate Cast's Main StageOn Friday 31 May and Saturday 01 June 2024, an…
    Read here
  2. A joyful diverse group of people raise their hands in a room. A smiling woman wearing a hijab and a floral dress stands with children around her, creating an uplifting atmosphere.

    Cast and Public Acts Celebrate The Doncastrian Chalk Circle

    Celebrating community, creativity and the journey to the Doncastrian Chalk Circle.Last week Cast were joined by over…
    Read here
  3. A female dancer in a flowing yellow dress poses gracefully, arms elegantly lifted against a backdrop of historic stone architecture. The scene conveys elegance and poise.

    And the winner is… Doncaster!

    Cast and The Royal Opera House create award winning success delivering dance throughout the Borough.Cast has won the…
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