Honoring Bill Kenwright

The RYTC team was deeply saddened to learn of the passing of our friend and patron Bill Kenwright CBE. 

Bill was a partner, father, grandfather, great friend and patron. He will be missed by many and this is testament to his giving nature and impact on the theatre and creative arts space. The team wanted to honour his legacy and influence with this memorial page.

The RYTC’s Artistic Director started her career in Bill Kenwright’s work family. Bill told her to go and open her own youth theatre, because ‘being creative is so important for our kids!’ His mantra… “go and do it”!! And if “it” is right – then you can’t fail.”

To name only a fraction of the awards and achievements Bill received are the notable honour of a CBE in 2002, a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Theatrical Management Association in 2008, and an honourary BBC Radio 2 special episode of Friday Night in 2017 broadcast from the London Palladium itself. Bill was nominated for a London Theatre Critics’ Award for West Side Story and a Tony Award for Blood Brothers.

This multi-award winning career saw Bill’s West End productions constantly in notable venues such as the RSC, Dominion, Palladium, Apollo and many others. Ensuring his legacy as one of the UK’s most successful theatre producers.

Bill embodied the spirit of empowering young people through creative opportunities. His legacy will be felt and continued through the many groups and communities he supported with the mission of providing opportunities to local young people. Bill made his community and generations of people richer through experiences such as finding like minds, getting creative and fostering confidence in young people.

The RYTC in memory of Bill will continue to “go and do it” as his legacy will continue to empower our team, kids and encourage everyone to be creative.

Our thoughts are with Bill’s family at this difficult time and also with the many people we know he impacted for the better.

As we step into a brand new year, it’s the perfect time to ignite the creative spark in our young ones. The coming months hold endless possibilities for artistic adventures that not only entertain but also nurture the imaginative minds of children. 

In this blog post, we’ll explore a variety of inspiring activities designed to kickstart the new year with a burst of creativity for the little artists in your life.

1. Canvas of Dreams: New Year’s Art Collage

Encourage kids to reflect on their aspirations for the year ahead. Provide magazines, colored paper, and art supplies for them to create a vibrant collage showcasing their dreams, goals, and favorite memories.

2. DIY Masterpieces: Personalized Calendars

Turn the ordinary task of creating a calendar into a delightful art project. Have kids design and decorate their own personalized calendars for the new year, adding special drawings or paintings for each month.

3. Nature’s Palette: Outdoor Art with Found Objects

Take the creativity outdoors by organizing a nature-inspired art day. Collect leaves, sticks, rocks, and other found objects, and let kids use them to create unique pieces of art. This activity not only sparks imagination but also fosters a connection to the natural world.

4. Storybook Adventures: Illustrated Journals

Encourage storytelling and illustration by providing kids with blank journals. Ask them to create their own stories, complete with vibrant illustrations. This not only enhances their artistic skills but also nurtures a love for storytelling.

5. DIY Dreamcatchers: Weaving Creativity

Engage kids in a crafty project by making their own dreamcatchers. This activity not only hones their fine motor skills but also allows them to express their personalities through the choice of colors and decorations.

6. Musical Canvas: Painting to the Beat

Combine art and music by letting kids paint to the rhythm of their favorite tunes. Set up easels, provide a variety of paint colors, and let them express themselves on canvas as they groove to the music.

7. Recycled Art Extravaganza: Upcycling Fun

Instill an eco-friendly mindset by organizing a recycled art project. Challenge kids to create masterpieces using recycled materials, such as cardboard, bottle caps, and old magazines. This activity promotes both creativity and environmental awareness.

8. Culinary Canvas: Edible Art

Turn the kitchen into a creative space by introducing edible art. Provide toppings like fruits, nuts, and colorful sprinkles for kids to decorate their own edible masterpieces, such as fruit pizzas or cookie canvases.

Conclusion:

The new year is a canvas waiting to be filled with the vibrant strokes of a child’s imagination. These artistic adventures and inspiring activities are not only fun but also contribute to the holistic development of young minds. As we embark on this creative journey with our children, let’s celebrate their unique expressions and foster a love for art that will continue to blossom throughout the year and beyond. 

Here’s to a year filled with imagination, innovation, and countless masterpieces!