Cast has officially reached the final of Theatres Trust’s prestigious Great British Theatres Awards, securing a spot in the coveted Great Community Connection category. 

Launched to mark Theatres Trust’s 50th anniversary, these national awards celebrate theatres across the UK making an outstanding contribution to cultural life.

In a borough where 42 per cent of residents live in areas of high deprivation, Cast has placed community connection at the very heart of its purpose – offering a warm, inclusive welcome to all through transformative programmes, accessible spaces, and deep-rooted local partnerships.

James Blakey, Director at Cast said: “I can think of no greater honour than to be recognised for the work we do in partnership with Doncaster’s communities. Doncaster is a place where community really matters, where people understand that supporting each other makes us all more resilient. 

“At Cast, we are proud to be part of that story, creating opportunities for people of all ages, all bodies and all cultural backgrounds to get involved in creative activities, tell their own stories, and create change. Being shortlisted is testament to the dedication of our staff team, the visionary leadership of our community partner organisations, and to the openness and courage of all those people who take part.”

Joshua McTaggart, CEO of Theatres Trust, said: “From school meals and free tickets to BSL cafés and dementia programmes, the Great Community Connection finalists show the wide-ranging ways that theatres can become places of connection and belonging for their community. Theatres Trust knew there was a need to celebrate theatres, but our judges had an incredibly hard time selecting the finalists. I want to extend my congratulations to every one of them. We can’t wait to celebrate our Great British Theatres in style this November.”

Cast delivers over 700 creative sessions each year, actively breaking down social, economic, and cultural barriers. Key initiatives include the Doncaster People’s Theatre (an intergenerational group bringing together residents aged 7 to 87 guided by a community board) and Citizens of the World, a trauma-informed music group supporting refugees and asylum seekers. Through its Cast Communities network and local Community Ambassadors embedded in neighbourhoods across the borough, the theatre continues to create accessible pathways into performance, storytelling, and creative participation for all.

Cast is shortlisted alongside Citizens Theatre (Glasgow), Derby Theatre, Eden Court (Inverness), Hoxton Hall (London), Polka Children’s Theatre (London), The Theatre Chipping Norton, and Wolverhampton Grand. The winners will be revealed at the Great British Theatres Awards ceremony at Central Hall Westminster on Monday 2 November 2026.