C&T : Computers & Theatre

What C&T : Computers & Theatre does

C&T (legally Collar and TIE Theatre-in-Education Company, founded 1988) is a Worcester, UK-based participatory arts and creative-technology organisation operating at the intersection of applied theatre, digital storytelling, and community engagement. With a core team of approximately 10 employees, the company designs and delivers "Story Systems" — bespoke participatory experiences that combine theatre, facilitation, and digital technology — for schools, universities, cultural institutions, heritage organisations, community groups, and local authorities. The customer base is unusually cross-sector: documented engagements include 350+ immersive performances with the New York City Department of Education, research and creative partnerships with Imperial College London, the University of Kent, the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Carnegie Hall, the National Trust (Croome Court, Elgar Birthplace Museum), and Worcester-based learning-disability arts organisation Monday Night Club. C&T holds Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation status and has operated continuously for nearly four decades, evolving from a Theatre-in-Education company into a Createch-positioned operator.

The company's core technology asset is Prospero, a proprietary award-winning digital participation platform that powers GPS-triggered narrative experiences, multi-user interactive environments, motion-tracked performance, and integrated Theory of Change research/evaluation tooling. The Story Systems methodology is delivered through five codified sub-frameworks (Signal Stories for media literacy and docudrama, Place Stories for location-based narratives, Civic Games for consultation, Collective Mythologies for community co-creation, and Motion Stories for movement-led interaction), plus flagship programmes including ACTsmart (creative-technology and future-skills for young people, launched 2025), Smart Plays (immersive participatory theatre), and the in-development Prospero Commons initiative aimed at building a shared participation infrastructure. No public pricing is disclosed; all engagements are bespoke and project-scoped, and the platform is made available to trained delivery partners for independent authoring.

C&T's revenue mechanics blend three streams: (1) project-based commissioned creative services with schools, universities, cultural organisations and community partners; (2) emerging platform licensing and support via Prospero to partner organisations that independently author and deliver programmes; and (3) research and knowledge-exchange contracts with universities. The most material funding backbone is public-sector: Arts Council England NPO status anchors recurring baseline support, with additional project grants from The National Lottery Heritage Fund (Elgar at the Asylum), The National Lottery Community Fund (Take Control), and the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (Power Up digital inclusion). Distribution combines direct enterprise-style engagement with anchor institutions, a self-serve channel via Prospero for partner organisations, and an international channel leveraging local partners in New York, Vienna, Nairobi, Sydney and Auckland.

Name

C&T : Computers & Theatre

Legal name

Collar and TIE Theatre-in-Education Company

Website

https://candt.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1988

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

C&T is a Worcester-based participatory arts and creative-technology organisation that designs bespoke "Story Systems" — combining theatre, facilitation and its proprietary Prospero digital platform — for schools, universities, cultural institutions, heritage bodies and community groups across the UK and internationally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Applied Theatre & Participatory Arts

NAICS

Other Performing Arts Companies (711190), Postproduction Services and Other Motion Picture and Video Industries (51219), Research and Development in the Social Sciences and Humanities (54172)

SIC

Services-Allied To Motion Picture Production (7819), Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Children’s & Youth Theatre (MPAGABAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Event Production & Technical Services (AV/Lighting/Staging) (MPAAAGAB), Digital Creative & Experience Design Agencies (Web/App/UX) (MPAAAAAD)

Keywords

• Applied theatre services
• Participatory storytelling platform
• Creative technology projects
• Digital participation software
• Arts education programmes

Headquarters

HQ city

Worcester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Project-based creative services: C&T designs and delivers bespoke participatory projects for schools, universities, cultural organisations, community partners, and public sector bodies. Projects are commissioned and funded on a per-engagement basis, typically with defined outputs, timelines, and partnership agreements.
2. Platform licensing and support: Prospero platform is made available to partner organisations to independently author and deliver participatory experiences. C&T provides the digital infrastructure, training, and ongoing support. Model under development through Prospero Commons initiative.
3. Research and knowledge exchange: C&T generates revenue through research partnerships with universities and cultural organisations, including collaborative research projects, evaluation commissions, teaching partnerships, and knowledge exchange activities underpinned by academic rigour and doctoral expertise.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

C&T designs and delivers bespoke participatory Story Systems that combine applied theatre, facilitation, and digital technology to transform audiences into active participants. Services include commissioned participatory projects, creative learning programmes, research collaborations, and access to the proprietary Prospero digital participation platform for schools, universities, cultural organisations, and community partners.

Product overview

C&T operates a platform-plus-modules architecture centered on two core offerings: Prospero (an award-winning digital participation platform) and Story Systems (a participatory creative methodology combining drama, storytelling, and digital technology). Story Systems encompass five distinct sub-products—Signal Stories, Place Stories, Civic Games, Collective Mythologies, and Motion Stories—each addressing different participatory goals through specific combinations of theatre, technology, and creative practice. These are delivered through programmes including ACTsmart (creative technology and future skills for young people) and Smart Plays (immersive theatre and participatory performance). Prospero Commons represents a strategic initiative toward a shared participation infrastructure. All products interrelate through the common Prospero digital platform and Story Systems methodology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Prospero: C&T's award-winning digital platform for participatory storytelling, creative learning, audience engagement and research. Powers Story Systems across live, digital and hybrid environments.

Products and services

• Story Systems Proprietary participatory creative experience framework that combines drama, storytelling, digital technology, and facilitation to enable audiences, learners, and communities to actively shape narratives through performance, interaction, and digital collaboration. The methodology underpins virtually all of C&T's work across education, arts, culture, and community contexts.
• Prospero Award-winning proprietary digital participation platform that enables organisations to create interactive storytelling, learning, research, and audience engagement experiences. Supports immersive storytelling, interactive performances, workshops, digital learning, GPS experiences, research tools, and co-creative participation across live, digital, and hybrid environments.
• ACTsmart Innovative creative technology and future skills programme for young people combining storytelling, drama, digital media, game design, and creative problem-solving to develop skills valued by employers, educators, and the creative industries.
• Smart Plays C&T's approach to immersive theatre and participatory performance for the digital age, combining live performance, storytelling, mobile technology, game mechanics, and audience interaction. Built using the Story Systems methodology and powered by the Prospero platform.
• Prospero Commons Shared participation infrastructure enabling organisations, educators, artists, researchers, and communities to create, share, and learn from participatory experiences, building on the Prospero platform and Story Systems methodology.

Quantifiable outcome

• 95% of Power Up participants reported feeling more digitally included after the programme; 93% said they would recommend it to others.
• +8 more outcomes

Named customers19 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

29 partnerships are on record, tiered core, notable and minor.

• The Kiln (Worcester)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Since 2024, C&T has been based at The Kiln in Worcester — a co-working space sharing C&T's values and commitment to developing the Createch sector. C&T and The Kiln are working in partnership to develop new projects and opportunities for creativity, skills development, and media production.
• New York City Department of EducationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership with NYCDOE, one of the world's largest school systems. C&T delivers creative learning programmes, professional development for teachers, and supports the creation of interactive learning resources using Prospero. Over 350 immersive performances delivered. Teachers are empowered to become creators of interactive experiences rather than just consumers of content.
• Imperial College LondoncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership developing Mission Control — an immersive STEM learning experience combining drama, space science, and digital simulation. Imperial College provides scientific expertise and contemporary research; C&T provides the Story Systems methodology and Prospero platform. Draws young people into contact with real-world scientific careers.
• University of KentnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborative research using the Prospero platform for drama-based work with autistic girls. University of Kent researchers and students created resources on Prospero following research exploring drama work with this audience.
• Royal Central School of Speech and DramanotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration creating an interactive heritage tour of National Trust's Croome Court using the Prospero Place Story methodology. Students from the school developed the Place Story in collaboration with C&T, combining academic training with real-world heritage engagement.
• University of SydneynotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational research and creative collaboration with the University of Sydney, contributing to C&T's global network of academic partnerships and knowledge exchange in applied theatre and digital participation.
• University of AucklandnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternational academic partnership with the University of Auckland contributing to C&T's international research collaboration and knowledge exchange in applied theatre and creative technology.
• King's College LondonnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership contributing to C&T's research network and collaborative projects at the intersection of drama, learning, participation, and digital technology.
• University College LondonnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcademic partnership contributing to C&T's research network and collaborative projects exploring participation, digital culture, and creative learning.
• Child Peace KenyanotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Child Peace Kenya as part of C&T's international work in Korogocho, Nairobi, enabling storytelling and digital technology projects that connect social justice concerns with cultural heritage and ancient rock art.
• Trust for African Rock ArtnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership contributing to the Nairobi project that uses VR to uncover Kenya's hidden history of rock art and share it with children in informal settlements. Collaborates with archaeologists from Nairobi National Museum.
• National Museum of KenyanotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerArchaeologists from Nairobi National Museum collaborated with C&T to use VR technology to uncover Kenya's hidden history of rock art and share it with children in the city's informal settlements.
• Monday Night ClubcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorcester's longest-running learning disability arts organisation. Over a decade-long partnership with C&T, including co-production of Take Control and Elgar at the Asylum. Monday Night Club members lead the creative process, not merely participate in it.
• DancefestnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative partner for Elgar at the Asylum, contributing dance and movement expertise to the immersive performance. One of multiple specialist arts organisations in the Elgar at the Asylum partnership.
• Shadowlight ArtistsnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative partner for Elgar at the Asylum, contributing film and visual art expertise to the immersive performance. Specialises in work created alongside learning-disabled artists.
• Vamos TheatrenotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative partner for Elgar at the Asylum, contributing mask and physical theatre expertise to the immersive performance.
• Jason Wilsher-MillsnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerInternationally acclaimed visual artist and creative partner for Elgar at the Asylum, contributing to the interdisciplinary artistic team exploring heritage through contemporary art practice.
• Worcestershire ArchivescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeritage partner for Elgar at the Asylum, providing archival expertise and research materials on Powick Asylum, Edward Elgar, and connected histories. Contributes specialist knowledge to the project's historical accuracy and depth.
• Elgar Birthplace Museum (National Trust)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeritage partner for Elgar at the Asylum, contributing expertise on Sir Edward Elgar's life, music, and legacy. Supports the project's exploration of Elgar's association with Powick Asylum.
• George Marshall Medical MuseumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeritage partner for Elgar at the Asylum, contributing specialist expertise on medical history and institutional life at Powick Asylum, enriching the project's historical and cultural context.
• Malvern TheatresnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerVenue partner for Elgar at the Asylum immersive performance, presenting the production on 26-27 September 2026. Provides the performance venue for the culmination of the year-long project.
• The Inclusion Network (Bootle)notableImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDelivery partner for the Power Up digital inclusion programme in Bootle, Merseyside. Independently delivered the Prospero-authored programme to young people facing digital exclusion, with C&T providing the creative framework and digital infrastructure.
• Strike A Light (Gloucester)notableImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDelivery partner for Power Up creative digital inclusion programme in Gloucestershire. Independently delivered workshops using C&T's Prospero-authored resources, reaching young people in the local community.
• Re-Imagine RedditchnotableImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerCommunity partner for Power Up digital inclusion programme in Redditch. Contributed local community knowledge and engagement infrastructure to support programme delivery.
• Redditch United Football ClubminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal delivery partner for Power Up programme in the Redditch/Worcestershire area, providing community venue and engagement reach.
• Shape ArtsnotableStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreative partner for Elgar at the Asylum, contributing expertise in disability arts and inclusive practice to the project.
• Kim PiffyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVisual artist contributing to the Elgar at the Asylum project as part of the interdisciplinary creative team.
• Paul Carroll (Sound Designer)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSound designer contributing to the Elgar at the Asylum immersive performance.
• Theatre Company Blah Blah BlahminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerC&T created an interactive learning resource for the company's touring production of The Vultures' Song using Prospero, at Mind The Gap Studios in Bradford.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Punchdrunk: UK immersive theatre company pioneering audience-led, site-specific, technology-augmented experiences. Closest commercial analogue to C&T's Prospero-powered immersive work because of its emphasis on placing participants inside the story rather than spectators in front of it.
• Polka Theatre: London-based children's theatre producing and touring participatory productions and creative-learning programmes for 0–14s, with a strong digital strand. Comparable to C&T's primary-school-facing Story Systems and Mission Control-style curriculum-linked programmes.
• Fuel Theatre: Independent UK theatre producer creating bold, participant-engaging performances and digital companion experiences, often in partnership with festivals and broadcasters. Comparable to C&T in scale, indie-arts ethos and digital-plus-live production stack.
• Battersea Arts Centre: South London arts venue and developmental producer known for nurturing participatory, immersive and digitally-augmented work through programmes like Scratch and Collaborators. Comparable to C&T as a participatory-arts developer/infrastructure provider for emerging practice.
• The Spark Arts for Children: East Midlands children's arts organisation commissioning Theatre-in-Education, digital storytelling and creative learning for primary-aged audiences. Directly comparable to C&T's core education-sector and Theatre-in-Education work, including pupil-led GPS and place-based projects.
• Coney: UK-based interactive theatre-making charity producing participatory performances that transform audiences into active contributors. Highly comparable to C&T's Story Systems: both blend performance, facilitation and technology for civic, education and community impact.

Broad incumbents

• teamLab: Japan-founded interdisciplinary digital art collective producing immersive technology-driven exhibitions. Comparable to C&T only at the digital-experience-design layer; teamLab sits at much larger scale and is purely visitor-facing rather than participatory/co-creative.
• Meow Wolf: US-scale immersive arts and entertainment company combining storytelling, technology and physical set design into large interactive installations. Comparable to C&T's underlying model (story-driven, technology-augmented, visitor-as-participant), though at far greater scale and commercialisation.

Emerging players

• Curious Directive: Nottingham-based artist-led theatre company fusing interactive performance, multimedia and digital design. Closely comparable to C&T's Signal/Place/Civic Story Systems in scope and scale, with a similar tech-enabled, participatory theatre philosophy.
• Institute of Imagination (iOi): London-based charity creating participatory STEAM and creative-technology experiences for children and families. Overlaps with C&T's ACTsmart and Power Up programmes, especially around digital confidence, future skills and creative technology for young audiences.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/appliedtheatre
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/c-and-t

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about C&T : Computers & Theatre