A young boy is marvelled looking at a stage. He sits in red theatre seats with sparkling lights in the background.>

Light a Spark

Support us

Light a Spark

Ignite a love of theatre in young people

Remember your first memory of the theatre? The buzz as you take your seat. The ripple of excitement that goes through the audience as the lights go down. Being wowed by the show.

It can be magical. But not everyone gets that opportunity. We want more people to have that special moment where they encounter theatre for the first time. And that’s what our Light a Spark campaign is all about – creating magical first theatre experiences for all.

Your support will help us...

  • offer year-long bursaries to our amazing Youth Theatre
  • inspire young carers and refugees with theatre workshops
  • bring more local families into CFT with free, fun events
  • give young people their first theatre job as an apprentice, trainee or practitioner

Donate today

How Light a Spark is making a difference

CFYT Company members in rehearsal for The Wind in the Willows

Lighting a spark for young people

Jacob shares how being part of CFT has changed his life.
Learn more
A father and daughter happily playing together in the theatre foyer surrounded by other families. Behind them you can see the outline of a large map of Chichester on the floor, being decorated by the families.

Lighting a spark for families

We’re always working to make CFT a more friendly and fun place for families. See what's on.
Learn more
Zoe is sitting in a darkened sound booth with her face lit from below by the lights on the control panel. She has a beaming smile on her face as she looks towards the camera.

Lighting a spark for creative careers

Zoe Lyndon-Smith, one of CFT’s Technical Theatre Apprentices, talks to us about her experience.
Learn more

Support Light a Spark

A girl is on a colourful stage with her arms outstretched. There are other children performing in the space around her.

Make a regular donation

Want to give by Direct Debit? It's easy and secure.
Let's get started

Prefer to make a one-off donation?

A group of three young people laughing together in the theatre foyer.

£10

Provides a ticket for a young carer to see a show at CFT
A young boy is happily playing in our Family Fun area. There are a variety of colourful toys on the floor, and behind him a number of beanbags and smaller chairs.

£25

Will buy a new toy and a book for our family spaces
A close up of a young person's hands as they are writing in pink felt tip on some leaf-shaped pieces of paper.

£50

Pays for a CFT experience day for a young refugee
Two people are sat on stage holding microphones, and smiling at each other as they are having an in-depth conversation.

£125

Provides a half-day masterclass for our Young Practitioners with an industry specialist
A group of eight young people of varying ages are on their feet working on a piece together in our rehearsal room.

£250

Provides a bursary for a young person to join our Youth Theatre
An older woman and two young children are sat at a table in our foyer. They have a pot of pens on the table in front of them and the children are intently colouring something in. The older woman is looking at them fondly.

£ your choice

Every donation counts, thank you so much for your generosity

Be part of our First Spark installation by sharing your first theatre memory