Creative Engagement

Creative Engagement at Kiln Theatre

We create projects with and for people of all ages who live, learn or work in Brent and North West London. Our programmes encouraged people to have fun, connect, be creative, discover a career or an interest in theatre and have their voices heard.  

Learning

We believe all young people should have access to arts and culture, and see the wider benefits the arts can have on connection and building confidence.   

Arrive Build Create (formerly Minding the Gap) has been running for 18 years, working with EAL and ESOL departments in local schools and colleges to provide creative drama based sessions for newly arrived young people. The project aims to develop creativity, confidence and engagement in the arts. We also have opportunities for participants to develop their skills further through the Arrive Build Create Trainees programme and the Young Company. We provide resources and training for teachers working with EAL/ESOL students.  

For Brent schools, we run free Backstage Workshops, Continuous Professional Development for teachers, School Residencies; a bespoke year-long programme designed with local schools to support the Drama curriculum and link to the industry. We also host Teacher Previews and provide free Resource Packs. We deliver Fullworks; a weeklong half term project which explores careers in theatre, open to students from Brent schools aged 14–16 and Placements (in partnership with Further and Higher Education centres). 

Participation

Our Participation work is rooted in Brent & North West London and celebrates the unique cultural and artistic life of our local area. The Participation programme covers all work with and for local residents who are interested in engaging in theatre as aspiring artists or audiences, providing opportunities to have fun and socialise, or share stories with neighbours. We aim to listen to and advocate for the priorities, heritages and stories of local residents through co-creation. 

We run a Youth Theatre for 12–15 and 16–18 year olds, nurturing the next generation of artists.  We host Dementia Friendly film screenings each month and Kiln Masterclasses every quarter, delivered by creatives from Kiln shows.  

From 2024-2026 we’re embarking on an ambitious community engaged heritage project. Celebrating Our Stories: the Kilburn High Road Project, celebrates and platforms the hidden stories of the High Road and the residents, artists, businesses and organisations who call Kilburn home. This project is made possible with The National Lottery Heritage Fund with thanks to National Lottery Players. For more information on how to get involved with this project, please visit our website. 

Through the Creative Engagement Learning & Participation programmes, we create projects with and for people of all ages who live, learn or work in Brent and North West London. Through a range of workshops, events and performances, local young people are encouraged to have fun, be creative, discover a career or an interest in theatre and have their voices heard through connection, skills building and theatre making.