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.

Theatre isn’t just about putting on a show. It’s a great way for students to pick up life skills that help them do better in school and beyond. At RYTC, we love creating a fun and creative space where students can grow and learn. Here are five easy ways theatre can help students succeed.

  1. Boosts Confidence

Being in theatre helps students feel more comfortable speaking in front of others. Whether they’re acting or working behind the scenes, theatre gives them a chance to express themselves and become more confident. That confidence makes things like school presentations and class discussions easier.

Tip for Parents: Ask your child to share what they’ve learned from a rehearsal. It’s a good way to see how theatre is building their confidence.

  1. Teaches Teamwork

Theatre is all about working together. Students learn how to listen, share ideas, and rely on each other to make the show a success. These teamwork skills can also help in group projects at school, where knowing how to collaborate is key.

Student Tip: Think about how your teamwork helped during your last play or drama class. Notice how those same skills help you work with friends or classmates.

  1. Develops Emotional Understanding

In the theatre, students play different characters with all sorts of emotions. This helps them understand how others feel and improves their ability to relate to people. It’s a great way to build emotional intelligence, which helps in friendships and family life.

Student Tip: When you take on a role in drama, try playing a character who is very different from you. See how it feels to understand their emotions and experiences.

  1. Sharpens Problem-Solving Skills

Theatre often involves quick thinking. Maybe something goes wrong during a performance, or maybe you’re figuring out how to bring a character to life. These challenges help students become better problem-solvers, which is a valuable skill in school and everyday situations.

Tip for Parents: Ask your child about any problems they faced during rehearsals and how they solved them. This shows how theatre helps with creative thinking.

  1. Improves Academic Focus

The focus and discipline that students gain from rehearsing lines or preparing for a performance can carry over into their schoolwork. Many students find that theatre helps them stay organised and focused, which leads to better grades.

Student Tip: Try studying for your next test like you’d learn lines for a play. Repeating and practicing your notes can help you remember them better.

Theatre goes beyond just acting; it’s all about picking up skills that can boost students’ success in various aspects of life. At RYTC, we love watching our students build confidence, teamwork, and problem-solving abilities through their passion for drama. We truly believe that engaging in theatre helps students reach their full potential, gain self-assurance, and acquire essential life skills that support their growth in school and beyond. That’s why we champion theatre as a fantastic way for students to thrive while having fun and expressing their creativity!

#ChangingLivesCreatively