In 2024, Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation was delighted to agree a further two years' funding to National Theatre to support their flagship UK wide youth theatre project, NT Connections.  Each year, about 6,000 young people aged 13-19 from 250 young companies take part in Connections. They receive masterclasses and mentoring from professional theatre makers and perform at their own venues as well as at one of 33 regional festivals that take part across the country.

This year, ALWF funding will support young people across the Midlands to participate in the annual festival, including bursaries for young companies and travel for participants to events such as the Director's Weekend and NT Connections Festival at the National Theatre on the Southbank, London. Venues supported include Crewe Lyceum, Derby Theatre and Nottingham Playhouse.

• Kirsten Adam, Head of Participation, National Theatre: "With the help of Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation, we are delighted to be delivering National Theatre Connections with theatres across the UK this year, including five theatres in the Midlands.  Whether this is the first rung on the ladder to a glittering career on the stage, or the mechanism that builds confidence in a young person to go on and embrace challenges later in life, youth theatre is the foundation that allows young people to flourish and develop. We are so excited to witness the talent and creativity that these groups will bring both on and off stage to their Connections Festivals this year."