Curve launches annual fundraising appeal for Andy Nairn Bursaries in Technical Theatre
Leicester’s Curve theatre continues to champion and support emerging technical talent through the launch of its annual fundraising appeal this month.
Now in its fifth year, The Andy Nairn Bursaries in Technical Theatre provides career and training opportunities to people with an interest in working backstage, regardless of their background or experience.
Created in memory of Curve’s Head of Production, Andy Nairn, who passed away in 2020 at just 34 years old, the appeal is inspired by Andy’s passion for mentoring and nurturing the next generation of technicians.
The fundraising campaign will run throughout this month to mark what would have been Andy’s 40th birthday on the 11th June 2026, raising vital funds to nurture and train the next generation of technicians, helping to build a strong, diverse and sustainable future workforce for theatre.
Funds raised through The Andy Nairn Bursaries in Technical Theatre support apprenticeships, workshops and events at Leicester’s state-of-the-art venue. As a leading producing theatre of world-class productions which run in Leicester, across the UK, in the West End and tour internationally, the scheme offers new technical opportunities across a wide variety of productions and backstage areas.
Funds raised will support programmes including a Creative Venue Technician Apprenticeship based in the theatre, providing hands-on experience in Lighting, Stage and Automation, Sound and Video and a nationally recognised qualification upon completion. To date, funds raised through the scheme have supported four Creative Venue Technician Apprenticeships for emerging talent.
Curve’s first Creative Venue Technician Apprentice, Li Li Peberdy, is now working in the West End in the Sound Department for the acclaimed musical, HAMILTON. Li Li completed her apprenticeship with distinction and in June 2023, she received the nationally recognised Association of British Theatre Technicians (ABTT) Award for Emerging excellence, later becoming a permanent member of Curve’s technical team.
Speaking about what The Andy Nairn Bursaries in Technical Theatre meant to her, Li Li Peberdy said:
“I am so grateful for my time at Curve as an apprentice in technical theatre. I not only learnt so much and developed my skills and confidence as a technician but also as a person growing from adolescence into adulthood.
“Everybody at Curve couldn’t have been more supportive in wanting to share their knowledge and expertise and I got to work on some amazing shows in all departments, which I think has made me a much more well-rounded technician even though I now specialise in sound.
“I wouldn’t be where I am now without the support of The Andy Nairn Bursaries in Technical Theatre and I highly recommend doing an apprenticeship if you are looking to gain hands on experience and knowledge in the industry, especially at a place like Curve which is both a receiving and producing house of some of the best shows out there.”
Andy Nairn’s parents, Susan and Stuart Nairn, said:
“As Andrew’s parents we are delighted to add our support to this year’s Appeal for donations to support the Andy Nairn Bursary Fund. His death at age 34 with bowel cancer was a great loss to us and to his own family. He gained the passion for working in theatre from the small but enthusiastic village theatre in West Acre in Norfolk. He went on to study Theatre Arts at Derby University and was blossoming in his career when he became Head of Production at The Curve Theatre in Leicester. It has been our pleasure to meet the apprentices that have trained through support from his fund and to know that this is one way, along with watching his family grow, in which his memory and work can continue. Thank you for your support.”
Speaking about the fundraising initiative, Curve’s Chief Executive Chris Stafford and Artistic Director Nikolai Foster said:
“This year our annual fundraising appeal marks what would have been Andy’s 40th birthday. Andy was passionate about developing talent, in particular individuals from under represented backgrounds, and we are proud to deliver this bursary programme in memory of our much-missed friend and colleague.
“As careers and training pathways become increasingly harder to access, this fund offers life-changing opportunities for young people. Theatre simply cannot happen without an incredible crew of talented technicians behind-the-scenes. If you are able to, no matter how much or how little, please do donate to support this vital training scheme.”
Throughout June, all donations made during a ticket purchase online, over the phone and in-person will go towards The Andy Nairn Appeal.
To find out more and donate now, visit www.curveonline.co.uk/join-and-support-us/the-andy-nairn-bursaries-in-technical-theatre/