The Borough of Barnet is a diverse community and includes large populations of elderly and young people, and families of many different cultures. Projects have been set up offering opportunities to individuals and groups from the Community who are interested in participating in, and keen to take advantage of, the facilities afforded by Dare to Dream Performers and The Bull Theatre. Not only do we open our doors to professional artists but local groups for open discussions and meetings. Local amateur companies who may have little or no funds often put on productions to raise money for charity themselves. They find the competitive price of The Theatre attractive a well as having the opportunity of being in full control of their productions by being able to operate (supervised by our production team) aspects of the Theatre such as lighting, sound, stage management and box office etc.

  An integral part of Dare to Dream Performers are the eight primary schools linked to the Theatre who regularly attend performances by SETS, and who use the Theatre for their own productions, with the help of our own Community Director and lighting and sound team. As part of their Citizenship studies, year 9 and 10 pupils from SETS are actively involved in Outreach work at our link schools, providing an exciting programme of creative dance workshops. This is always received with enthusiasm, not only from the young children who participate, but also by headteachers and staff from the link schools.

Dare to Dream Elders was formed in January 2010 and this inspiring company for the over 65s meets every Thursday for an hour at 4.30 in our dance studio at The Bull Theatre. In March 2010 the company performed with the Sadler’s Wells Company of Elders as part of our link programme ‘Keep on Moving’. The event was very well received and attended by a mixed audience of local people, performers, academics and students from the dance world, all eager to enjoy the magical experience of elders in performance