Hackney People
Hayley White
Classic buildings, green new developments, world-class shows - the borough more than holds its own in the theatre stakes.
But one N1 venue has been quietly reinventing itself, determined to place itself as the number one community theatre for young Londoners.
"It's about emerging talent and young people taking chances with their creativity for the first time," says Hayley White, Hoxton Hall's Group Director. Offering a platform for young talent, the theatre focuses on participation for young people across the performing arts.
"The work is almost a by-product, we focus on using the creative arts to raise aspirations and give young people the confidence to promote themselves,"she adds.
And Hayley is prepared to back this up with stories about former and current attendees: from an underperforming pupil who secured a job only after their future employer realised a shared interest in theatre to a 19-year-old currently featuring in Simon Pegg's alien comedy film, 'Paul'.
The theatre also works with the Council's youth service on anti-crime projects, such as music workshops. Hayley says:
"Some children we work with are disengaged; a lot of them reach 16 and no one has ever asked them 'what do you want to do, where do you want to be, what is it that inspires you?' Because we have the right approach, engaging them, they get the best benefits."
In recent years the Grade II listed building has played host to Katy B, The XX and hip hop showcase nights, and now has two music rooms, an art studio and a computer suite that young people raised the money for themselves.
As for what it shows, Hayley says: "We pride ourselves by having engaging projects that young people come to."
This spawned its new Hoxton Select project, a commissioning programme that sees young members choose what they want to see on stage. And its talent agency, set up two years ago - Hoxton Street Casting - gives young members a chance to perform to agents.
Hayley explains: "Last financial year we got Hackney kids £50,000 paid work. Over 80 young people in excess of 80 jobs."
Not everyone can be on X Factor, she admits, but 'there are no barriers, you just have to be in the right place at the right time with a little bit of support'.
After a difficult period in the early 2000s, when Arts Council funding was withdrawn, Hayley was brought in to fundraise and turn around the theatre's commercial fortunes.
Just over a year later and to her surprise, the former theatre producer was asked to become group director. In under four years the hall's turnover has jumped from £200,000 to £700,000; it has just received £1million from the Council as part of its 'MyPlace' project to create youth centres in the borough; and is now bidding for more grants to renovate the building.
Curriculum Vitae
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1981 Born in Aylesbury
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1997 Finished Radcliffe school in Milton Keynes
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2004 General Manager of C venue at Edinburgh Fringe
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2007 Group Director of Hoxton Hall
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2008 Co-produced 'Frank's Closet' at Hoxton Hall
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2009 Hoxton Hall short-listed for Guardian 'Charity of the Year
More information
For more information call: 020 7684 0060, email: info@hoxtonhall.co.uk, or visit: www.hoxtonhall.co.uk
Page updated: 5 Apr 2012
