Theatre Development Trust (solt/uk Theatre)

Charity Number: CUSTOM_2966F626

Annual Expenditure: £1.0M

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Income: £1,023,445 (2024)
  • Annual Spending: £1,347,973 (2024)
  • Charitable Activities: £950,337 (2024)
  • Success Rate: Not published
  • Decision Time: Approximately 6-8 weeks
  • Grant Range: Varies by program (individual bursaries £500-£7,500; producer bursaries up to £20,000)
  • Geographic Focus: UK-wide, with London emphasis

Contact Details

Address: 32 Rose Street, London WC2E 9ET

Phone: 020 7557 6700

Email: tdt@soltukt.co.uk (for Theatre Development Trust grants)

enquiries@soltukt.co.uk (general SOLT/UK Theatre enquiries)

Website: https://solt.co.uk/charitable-activities/

Overview

The Theatre Development Trust (TDT) is a registered charity (292559) established as the charitable arm of the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre, the UK's leading membership organizations for theatre producers, owners, and managers. The Trust exists to promote and advance the dramatic and other performing arts for the benefit of the public through supporting charitable foundations and providing grants to people and organizations in the arts. With 16 trustees and annual charitable expenditure exceeding £950,000, the Trust focuses on strengthening the future of the UK theatre industry through strategic support for workforce development, audience engagement, and accessibility initiatives. The Trust operates alongside SOLT and UK Theatre's broader advocacy work, which is led by co-CEOs Claire Walker and Hannah Essex, who took the helm in 2022 as the UK's most high-profile job share partnership.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Theatre Development Trust Annual Grants: Variable amounts supporting organizations aligned with TDT's three core goals. Applications open annually (2025 round closed January 2025; 2026 dates to be announced autumn 2025). 80% paid upfront, 20% upon completion of reporting and evaluation.

Laurence Olivier Bursary: £500 - £7,500 per student (at discretion of judges). Total of £80,000 distributed in 2024 to drama school students in their final year who demonstrate both financial need and exceptional talent. Applications submitted by drama school principals in June, with recipients assessed by a panel of theatre industry professionals.

Stage One Bursary: Up to £20,000 for independent commercial theatre producers. Over the last five years, Stage One awarded £430,000 in new bursaries and £320,000 in top-ups to previous recipients.

Go Live Theatre Projects: Grants supporting theatre education initiatives for young people (specific amounts not published).

Priority Areas

The Trust focuses on three core funding goals:

  1. Theatre Workforce Training and Career Development - Widening access to careers in theatre for under-represented groups, addressing skills shortages, providing entry routes and in-career training, and supporting organizations to be fully inclusive
  1. Access Requirements - Exploring sustainable models to make theatre more accessible for d/Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent people
  1. Audience Development - Encouraging younger theatregoers and improving the diversity of audiences by becoming more inclusive of under-represented groups across all sectors of society

The Trust also administers emergency support programs when needed. Between July 2020 and March 2022, the Theatre Artists Fund distributed £9.9 million (including £1.9m from DCMS through Arts Council England) in 9,964 emergency grants to theatre freelancers.

What They Don't Fund

While specific exclusions are not explicitly published, the Trust's focus is strictly on projects that advance at least one of their three core goals. The Trust notes that funds are limited and they may not be able to support all previously funded organizations or all those meeting eligibility criteria.

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Governance and Leadership

Trustees (16 total)

Tristan Baker, Kash Bennett, Tom Bird, Andrew Collier, Alan Finch, Henny Finch, Rupert Gavin, Patrick Gracey, Eleanor Lloyd, Patrick Murphy, Andrew Rawlinson, Mark Rubinstein, Rebecca Quigley, Edward Snape, Kenny Wax, Anna Williams, Griselda Yorke.

No trustees receive remuneration, payments, or benefits from the charity.

SOLT & UK Theatre Leadership

Co-CEOs: Claire Walker and Hannah Essex (appointed September 2022)

Claire and Hannah are the UK's most successful and high-profile job share partnership, with over 40 years of combined experience as senior leaders. Both were recognized as two of the Top 100 Women in Westminster by House Magazine. They describe their mission succinctly: “Our job is to create the conditions for theatre to thrive.”

Their main priorities focus on audiences, workforce, and championing the theatre sector while making the case for policy change. Hannah is also Vice-Chair and Founding Trustee of The Girls' Network, a mentoring charity for girls from disadvantaged communities.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

Applications for 2025 are now closed. The Trust will publish dates for future rounds for projects in 2026 in autumn 2025.

When applications are open:

  • Review the detailed eligibility criteria document available on the SOLT website
  • Ensure your project advances at least one of the three core funding goals
  • Submit application by the published deadline (2025 deadline was Monday 13 January)

Grant payment structure: 80% of project funds distributed in advance of project start, 20% available upon satisfactory submission of feedback, evaluation, and reporting after project completion.

Decision Timeline

  • Applications discussed and approved by TDT Trustees by end of February
  • All organizations informed of results by early March (2025 notification date was Thursday 6 March)
  • Approximately 6-8 weeks from submission to decision

Success Rates

Success rates are not published. However, the Trust explicitly states that due to limited funds, they may not be able to support all previously funded organizations or all those meeting eligibility criteria, suggesting a competitive process.

Reapplication Policy

If unsuccessful, applicants will receive an email notification. TDT offers to arrange a time to provide feedback to unsuccessful applicants. No specific restrictions on reapplication mentioned, though applicants should wait for the next funding round to be announced.

Application Success Factors

Important Context: The Trust explicitly states that “the total funds available are limited” and they “may not be able to continue to support all previously funded organisations or all those which meet the eligibility criteria.” This suggests applications need to demonstrate exceptional alignment with priorities.

Demonstrate Clear Alignment: Projects must clearly advance at least one of the three core goals (workforce development, access requirements, or audience development). Applications should explicitly state which goal(s) the project addresses.

Focus on Under-represented Groups: The Trust places particular emphasis on widening access and increasing diversity. Projects that address barriers for under-represented groups in theatre careers and audiences appear especially valued.

Sustainable Impact: The Trust seeks “sustainable models” particularly for accessibility work, suggesting they favor projects with long-term impact rather than one-off initiatives.

Strong Evaluation Plans: With 20% of funding released only after “satisfactory submission of all feedback, evaluation and reporting,” applicants should demonstrate clear plans for measuring and reporting impact.

Previous Support Examples: The Trust has supported organizations including Stage One (supporting new commercial producers), Go Live Theatre Projects (theatre education for young people), and the Laurence Olivier Bursary scheme (financial support for talented drama students). These examples suggest the Trust values both grassroots access work and professional development initiatives.

Be Prepared for Competition: Even previously funded organizations may not receive continued support due to limited funds. Applications should demonstrate why this project deserves priority in a competitive landscape.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Alignment is Critical: Your project must clearly advance one of the three core goals - workforce development, accessibility, or audience development. Generic theatre projects won't compete successfully.
  • Prioritize Inclusion: The Trust's emphasis on “under-represented groups,” “widening access,” and “becoming more inclusive” appears throughout their guidance. Projects addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion have clear advantage.
  • Think Beyond London: While associated with Society of London Theatre, the Trust supports UK-wide initiatives through its partnership with UK Theatre.
  • Previous Funding Doesn't Guarantee Success: Even organizations with past grants compete for limited funds. Each application must stand on its own merits.
  • Accept Feedback: The Trust offers to discuss unsuccessful applications, providing valuable intelligence for reapplication.
  • Plan for Evaluation: Strong monitoring and evaluation frameworks should be built into your project from the start, as 20% of funding depends on reporting.
  • Be Patient but Persistent: With applications open only annually and limited funds available, this may require multiple attempts. The feedback opportunity makes reapplication worthwhile.

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