Royal Opera House celebrates 10 years in Thurrock HD

It’s been ten years since the Royal Opera House first began working with communities across Thurrock. Find out more at http://www.roh.org.uk/thurrock Royal Opera House Thurrock’s education programme aims to inspire, support and develop the learning and creativity of people of all ages through their engagement with the Royal Opera House and to enrich the cultural life of the local community in Thurrock. To date over 60,000 people have engaged with ROH Thurrock activity since 2007. They have participated in activities ranging from schools projects to teacher training, from work-based learning to fully-staged community operas. People in Thurrock have both been able to watch special performances and gain a very special insight into the behind-the-scenes process. In April 2012, the Royal Opera House established ROH Bridge, which works to connect children and young people to great art and culture across Essex, North Kent, Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire while promoting the importance of culture both in and out of schools. In 2014 the Royal Opera House began the Thurrock Trailblazer programme, a Cultural Entitlement Initiative in partnership with Thurrock Council. The Royal Opera House has been working with a wide range of cultural organizations to deliver both in and out of school activities. Since the programme started, Thurrock Trailblazer has worked with 33 schools and over 8000 students. The Bob and Tamar Manoukian Costume Centre opened in October 2015 and is home to over 20,000 costumes from the Royal Opera House repertory, together with over 6,000 items from the historic collection including items worn by Maria Callas and Margot Fonteyn. In a unique partnership with South Essex College and University of the Arts London, the Royal Opera House has established a new BA (Hons.) degree course in Costume Construction, delivered from the Centre’s bespoke workrooms. High House Production Park is also home to the Backstage Centre; a flagship national training centre for Creative & Cultural Skills; and High House Artists’ Studios. The 39 artists’ studios and four work/live units are managed by Acme Studios. Also on site are Grade II listed barns, from which the ROH has delivered a Learning and Community engagement programme for the local and wider community since 2006. Before this date the ROH Production Workshops were based in Bow, East London.