Jimmy Barnes is very special to us here at CTS. From our involvement with the Synthonia Club he has been instrumental in re-building and re-shaping our venue making it fit for purpose. Jimmy has given thousands of voluntary hours to help us re-develop and make the theatre safe and practical for the training of our students. CTS would not be what it is today if it were not for this gentleman.

JImmy also built over 30 of our large scale production sets. If you are a current student and have never met this wonderful man, it is guaranteed that you are benefiting in many ways from his involvement, generosity and skills.

We take our wonderful building for granted and the way in which we are allowed to operate in it. However, it should always be remembered that life is made so much easier becasue of this very caring, kind, talented and giving man.

Many thanks to Jimmy for his support but also his advice and guidance through the very early years. Advice that has not fallen on deaf ears.

It is also important to be thankful to Audrey, his loving wife who "allowed" Jimmy to contribute so much time to the theatre and for her support to him whilst spending thousands of hours in our building.

Thank You
Lawrie Love and every past, present and future student of CTS.
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Computer terminals, studio mirrors, studio lighting, box office desks, office furniture, lighting desks, moving head stage lights, microphones, radio receivers, pa system, communication headsets (cans), smoke machines, LED lights, full stage floor, studio floor, endless print and graphics, costumes, backdrops, flats, paint, drapes, CTS awards, trampoline, electrical technology, foh badges and uniforms, sound desk, mini disc players, coffee machines, books, audition fees for london auditions, student jazz shoes, dry ice machine hire, mirror balls, bulbs, spot lights, smoke fluid, paint, gaffa tape, soft furnishings, student parties, hard drives, stationery, printer ink, photocopier, drills, hammers, staple guns, towels and many more items have passed in through the stage door and benefited CTS and our students for over 15 years.

This was all possible because of the sheer hard work, loyalty, drive and passion of the CTS Committee.

Many have come and gone over the years but all have contributed to make CTS the best training institution in the North East of England.

Special thanks in particular to

Catrina Mannix
Emma Omoni
Lorraine Watson
Julian Richards
Jackie Richards
Lorraine Fawcett
Pamela Atkinson
Phil Motley
Sarah Thorpe
Lillian Atkinson
Alison Oldfield
Teresa Robinson
Barbara Bambrough
Jan Buchanan

Your assistance and generosity have helped to form CTS into what we are today.

George has been the man responsible for bringing the set designs from the page to the stage since 2004. George also maintains the theatre and alters it according to new ways of working decided by the staff.

George has given many thousands of hours to CTS in creating the wide range of scenery needed each production. He works single handedly and can be found for the majority of the time in his workshop situated deep in the bowels of the CTS Theatre!

George has helped redesign the building, constructing new dressing areas, new workshops, offices, redecorating the building, as well as the huge task of creating almost anything the staff might throw at him. George is responsible for bringing some of most famous stage sets to the stage including... The Wizard of Oz, Event 2006, Moulin Rouge, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Once Upon a Time, Misery's Child, A Boy Called IT, Of Mice and Men, Romeo and Juliet and hopefully many, many more to come!

Staff and students lives are improved on a monthly basis because of the talents and skills George offers us voluntarily.

If you are a student at CTS today, it is very probable that the way in which you work in our building today has been made more pleasant and user friendly because of George Oldfiled and his dedication, spirit and vigor of this generous gentleman.

Thank You!
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Lawrie Love and all students who have attended, are attending or will attend!

It is important not to forget the students who have invested in CTS and invested in the technical side of the performances. The technical side of performances may not be the main focus on why a student enrols at CTS. It is probable that they are in attendance to perfect their skills in theatrical performance! However it is this large group of people who not only make the production happen but they are also responsible for helping the theatre advance.

Students not only help paint and build the sets, they also rotate, push, pull, lift, fly and make them dance into the productions as though moving by hydraulics!

This team will also de-rig a production, take apart, clean and re-touch a set as part of a productions journey. Our students have always gone above and beyond their skills in order to ensure CTS productions look as glossy, magical and professional as is possible.

When the building is in re-development it is our team of students who will assist in the bulk of the organisation at this time.

It is through students past and present who have completed sponsored events, attended committee functions, performed at summer fetes, performed free performances, helped with the young sets, leafleted local towns, promoted and sold tickets to many productions and fundraising events to make CTS what it is today.