The Orpheus Centre

The Orpheus Centre is a unique performing arts college for disabled young adults, based in Surrey. Their performing arts projects develop their young artists’ skills and experience in drama, music, dance and multimedia, alongside preparing them for independent living. They are a registered charity (charity number 1105213). The Orpheus Centre was founded by Richard Stilgoe in 1998. Their activities are: The Orpheus College uses performing arts as a vehicle for teaching and their curriculum focuses on arts, independence, employment and functional skills. Domiciliary Care offering a domiciliary care plus service, supporting their service users in their independence skills and achieving their own person-centred plans. Orpheus Housing manages two supported housing projects, empowering tenants to be in control of their own homes. In addition to the core learning programme, students have the opportunity to participate in short courses, working with a range of professional musicians. They have regular performances in their Barn Theatre as well as developing large scale productions to be performed externally. In May 2010 they performed All Over the Place at the Linbury Studio Theatre at the Royal Opera House and in July 2010 they then performed Orpheus the Mythical at the Yvonne Arnaud Theatre for five nights. They offer their young artists a variety of creative opportunities, bringing them into contact with a range of methods and styles. However, at the heart of their practice is a commitment to unlock the authentic voice of their young artists. In November 2010 the Trustees of The Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation agreed to fund arts bursaries over a three year period at The Orpheus Centre. In December 2010 six part time bursaries were funded. The Trustees are very impressed with the work undertaken by Orpheus to develop skills and experience in drama, music and dance for less able young adults and consider that supporting arts bursaries at The Orpheus Centre fits well within the objects of The Foundation.