How can supporting Sheffield Theatres Trust benefit your business?

8th February 2024

Supporting Sheffield Theatres Trust can build brand awareness, entertain your clients, and reward your staff, plus you can help give our communities the opportunity to access and experience live theatre in Sheffield.

What Is Sheffield Theatres Trust?

Sheffield Theatres Trust is a registered charity made up of three distinctive performance spaces in what is the largest theatre complex outside London.  

As one of Sheffield’s most iconic landmarks, the Crucible is celebrated in the world of theatre for its unique thrust stage and its incredible in-house productions. It is also recognised across the world as the host venue of the World Snooker Championships, which are watched by a global audience of over 200 million. Across the square, the Lyceum is a more traditional space.  It opened in 1879 but still wows audiences on a nightly basis with award-winning musicals, ballet, opera and, of course, our annual pantomime. Finally, the Tanya Moiseiwitsch Playhouse is nestled in the corner of the Crucible building. Named after the designer of the building we call home; the Playhouse is the perfect space for intimate performances.  

We are a creative space. We are an inspirational space. We are a safe space. We believe that our work, our facilities and our programming should be accessible to all. We love to welcome coaches full of primary school students. It makes us happy when we hear the sound of music and laughter at one of our monthly Dementia Friendly Tea Dances. We share the joy of community members working with our Learning and Participation team on their latest project.

But we can’t do any of that without the incredible support of businesses that choose to become part of our Sheffield Theatres family. The donations, sponsorships, memberships and partnerships really make a huge difference to people’s lives by supporting the work we do around the city.

Why Support Sheffield Theatres Trust?

By becoming a Corporate Supporter, you will support the development of new events and opportunities. You will help to create environments and experiences across the city which are accessible and available for all. 

You will support communities by helping to provide incredible outreach work for schools and community groups. Our wider Learning and Participation projects often allow people to experience theatre either in our buildings or in their community setting, for the first time.

You will also support our staff and performers by supplying products and services that champion Health and Wellbeing. We love to encourage our people and visiting companies to visit new places and explore our amazing city.

How Does Helping Us Help You?

Through collaboration, networking, signposting and branding, joining our Corporate Supporters will allow you the opportunity to increase your brand awareness through aligning your business to the Sheffield Theatres name.

Depending on which package you choose, you will also have the opportunity to use an allocation of complimentary tickets, for all three performance spaces. This allocation can be used for staff recognition, client entertainment or prizes for other activities you are undertaking as an organisation.

As a supporter you could be invited to events such as Crucible Theatre Opening Nights and the Annual Business Lunch. You could also enjoy additional benefits such as discounted room hire, hospitality events and priority/late booking.

Finally, if you are looking for something you can share with your teams, some levels of support extend staff discounts to your employees – receiving £2.50 off tickets (terms and conditions apply) and 10% off at our bars and café.  

How does it work?

There are various ways in which your business can benefit from being a Sheffield Theatres supporter. Almost all our supporter packages are flexible, so we can produce bespoke agreements that create ‘WOW’ within our communities and beyond.

The scope of our work is vast, which means the possibilities of getting involved are endless!  

Corporate Contributors - Local businesses offering discounted services to the theatres’ staff and casts. These companies provide support to our staff and casts. In return for back-of-house advertising and appearing in our Staff and Cast Welcome Packs – signposting to their service – this takes the form of offering lanyard-holders discounted services/products at their business. (e.g. 10% off, buy one get one free or seasonal promotions). Contributors also receive updates and invitations where possible. The Contributor option is great for high street or hospitality businesses who want to get involved in supporting the Theatres but can’t commit to large or regular giving.  

Corporate Members – One year, £1000+vat, membership package. Corporate Memberships are a great way of helping the theatres while receiving benefits in return for your support. Other benefits include branding, access to private bars, ticket allocations, invitations to events and access to an account manager for your bookings. You will also receive advance information, priority and late booking, and discounts on tickets and our onsite bars/café to share with your employees. The Member level great for businesses wanting to make an impact while benefitting your brand, staff and clients.

Corporate Partners – One year partnership package starting at £3000+vat, receives incremental benefits dependent on the level of support. Packages can be discussed to ensure the partnership suits your aim, with those at Silver Partner level and above (from £5000+vat) gaining advanced entertainment, hospitality or CSR opportunities and logo recognition. Depending on which package you select, you will receive all the benefits of the Corporate Member level as well as options for additional advantages such as hospitality events, discounted venue hire, increased branding opportunities. The Partner levels are great for businesses wanting to make use of ticket allocations and hosting events and who want to solidly align with our brand.

Corporate Donors - Charitable giving designated for a specific purpose or to a general fund. Opportunities vary throughout the year including Launchpad Bursaries, new work, ‘Coaches for Christmas’, talent development, improving access facilities and our “Step into…” Campaign (£500). This campaign sees your organisation’s name on a plaque on the main Crucible staircase for a year and allows us to fund some incredible project work. The Donor option is great for businesses who can’t commit to regular giving but would like to make a difference in a really beneficial way. The “Step into…” Campaign is a brilliant way of getting your company name seen in our building… why not get one in place before the World Snooker Tournament?

Corporate Sponsors - Ad hoc sponsorships for events or department-specific collaborations. These are project-based sponsorships with a wide range of opportunities including supporting Dementia Tea Dances, conservation/development of our listed buildings to make them more accessible or helping fund equipment to reduce our carbon footprint. There are also options of event/performance-based sponsorships such as Relaxed/Accessible Performances, Annual Fundraising Gala or the incredible Lyceum Panto Sponsorship. Recognition of your sponsorship would depend on the shape of the package chosen but could include banners and branding at events, recognition on relevant webpages on our website or printed materials where appropriate. Depending on the package, there may also be the opportunity for a press release or event invitations/ticket allocations. The Sponsor option is great for organisations who are looking for more of a branding slant to their support. This is especially great if you are looking to host a hospitality event alongside your sponsorship to show your clients the kind of outreach work you are doing as a business.

Get In Touch! If you would like to become a Corporate Supporter of Sheffield Theatres, or if you have any further questions about how you can support us, please get in touch. We’re always happy to arrange a time for a chat. Remember, you aren’t limited to just one – for example you could choose to be a Contributor and a Donor or a Partner and a Sponsor. As with all charity support, it is about doing what you can, when you can. Every bit of Corporate Support makes a huge difference to the people who engage with Sheffield Theatres Trust.

Adam Battey (He/Him)

Trust and Partnerships Development Officer

Sheffield Theatres, 55 Norfolk Street, S1 1DA

a.battey@sheffieldtheatres.co.uk  |  0114 201 3844