Director Sam Mendes spearheads new support fund for theatre workers & freelancers

Photo credit: Andy Parsons

In more brilliant news, Director Sam Mendes has been at the forefront of creating a new support fund, established with a £500,000 donation from Netflix, to provide small grants to theatre practitioners who have been unable to obtain Government aid or be able to work since the lockdown began.

Grants will be £1,000 each and applications are only open from now until 12pm on Monday 13 July. To check to see if you are eligible, please visit the Theatre Artists Fund website here.

It is hoped that the fund will grow with the support of leading industry figures, charitable trusts and theatregoers alike, as more help will be needed over coming months.

Mendes said: “We have created a fund to which the most vulnerable freelance theatre practitioners can now apply. It is specifically designed for theatre workers who find themselves at breaking point, for those unable to put food on the table or to pay bills, or for those considering leaving the profession altogether.

“The Theatre Artists Fund is not for buildings, or regular staff, but for freelance artists who actually make the shows that the public pay to see.

“The fund has been initiated by a donation from Netflix and I am extremely grateful for their remarkable generosity and leadership. Although the money is initially limited, I hope that it will encourage other individual donors and charitable organisations. The more money that is donated to the fund, the more grants we will be able to give out. So please do consider a donation. I promise it will make a difference.

“The fund offers quick, efficient and easy access to individual grants of £1000 per applicant. I am well aware that this is a drop in the ocean in terms of what is required for a full recovery, but I hope it might ensure some form of survival until theatres can reopen again. I would encourage all those who need urgent assistance to please apply.”