News
Canberra Youth Theatre is honoured to announce the generous support of a legacy gift made to commemorate the late Jeremy Spencer Broom which will be going towards supporting and growing the Emerging Artists Program over the next five years.
Jeremy Spencer Broom had a great love for theatre and engaged with Canberra Youth Theatre many times. Jeremy loved not only performing, but all of the aspects of creating theatre. When the legacy gift was being discussed his family related how:
“He was often the first to arrive and last to leave, adding what he could to ensure the success of great shows. From music, singing, acting and writing, Jeremy could do it all and both got and gave great joy. As he grew up, we had the pleasure of watching him in numerous plays and musicals working with a range of theatre companies across the ACT.”
Jeremy’s final show was with the National University Theatre Society’s production of Dogfight in 2018. Claire Holland, one of Canberra Youth Theatre’s current Resident Artists, was the producer of that show:
“Jeremy was a generous and dedicated performer, hard-working and passionate about what he did. I am sure that Jeremy would have loved the emerging artists programs offered by Canberra Youth Theatre and it is wonderful to see his legacy as an actor and member of the Canberra community live on through this support being offered to other young creatives. I know first-hand how important these programs are in providing support and encouraging emerging artists to develop and expand their creative practices. I am sure Jeremy would have loved to be involved in these, and this support will make a huge difference to young creatives across the ACT.”
During his last five years, Jeremy had been working in schools supporting children with special needs. In this role, he integrated all his talents and skills to support children who often had not attended school regularly, or at all, back into mainstreaming schooling; teaching them how to communicate and socialise with other students through drama activities.
Tragically in July 2019, he became critically unwell and he passed on 9 August 2019.
This legacy gift seeks to commemorate Jeremy’s passion for theatre and supporting young people, whilst helping emerging artists to pursue their dreams and develop their careers. His family discussed what Jeremy would have thought about the idea:
“Jeremy would have loved to have been a participant in Canberra Youth Theatre’s Emerging Artist Programs, and would also certainly have jumped at the opportunity to have continued involvement in the program in any capacity he could provide.”
Canberra Youth Theatre’s Artistic Director & CEO, Luke Rogers, said this generous gift will be used to help realise the vision of creating more programs for emerging artists in Canberra to participate in professional training and creative development opportunities:
“We are extremely proud to be able to honour Jeremy’s memory and commemorate his dedication to the arts and young people. We are incredibly grateful to the Broom family who truly understand the value and importance of young people engaging in the arts. This support will have a profound effect on our ability to create pathways for early career artists, engage more creatives to work with our young artists, and invest in the next generation of theatre-makers.”
The Broom family also hope that this gift will encourage others to support young people and the work of Canberra Youth Theatre. Jeremy, Margaret, Michael and Timothy would like to have an ongoing relationship with Canberra Youth Theatre, and are looking forward to supporting them in developing their Emerging Artists Program, and all of the other wonderful productions and artistic opportunities they provide for young people in the ACT.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT JEREMY SPENCER BROOM.
