How does the UK theatre sector face issues of diversity and inclusion? What measures has it implemented as the urgency for sustainability rises within the performing arts sector? At what point are communities involved in these processes and in what ways? Based on these questions, the British Council in Spain and La Red Española de Teatros (Spanish Network of Publicly Owned Theatres, Auditoriums, Circuits and Festivals) have joined forces to create Open Theatres, a new webinar series focused on good practices in the UK on the topics of sustainability, inclusion and community building within the performing arts sector.
Throughout three days (7, 14, and 21 October), six professionals from the UK theatre sector will share their knowledge and expertise related to these topics online. Each session will last an hour and a half during which they will present their experiences and provide tools for the audience, as well as facilitate a debate open to the exchange of ideas.
The sessions will be held in English with simultaneous translation to Spanish. Access will be free with required registration.
Programme
Oct. 7 (16:00 h-17:30 h UK time) - Diversity and Inclusion in UK Theatres with Rachel Bagshaw and Devinda De Silva.
Oct. 14 (16:00 h-17:30 h UK time) - Sustainability with Laura Sedgwick and Ruth Stringer.
Oct. 21 (16:00 h-17:30 h UK time) - Creating/Developing Communities with Jill Adamson and Rhiannon White.
Speakers
Rachel Bagshaw is an award-winning stage director. She was recently appointed Artistic Director of Unicorn Theatre having been their Associate Director from 2018 to 2023. She is also an Associate at the National Theatre as a recipient of the Peter Hall Bursary for 2023/24 and made her directorial debut at the Globe Theatre in 2024 directing The Duchess of Malfi on the Sam Wanamaker stage.
Devinda De Silva has over 20 years’ experience working within the field of social change. He has worked in partnership with communities across Wales and internationally, focusing on the arts and its ability to address inequality, develop practices based around co-creation and to encourage greater and more meaningful participation. He is currently Co-Chairing the development of a new Culture Strategy for Wales for the Welsh Government.
Laura Sedgwick is the Producer for the Theatre Green Book, an initiative to guide the theatre sector to become more environmentally sustainable. Currently, she is also the part-time Production Associate for the independent producers Smith & Brant Theatricals.
Ruth Stringer is a designer based in South Wales and a strong advocate for working sustainably in the performance industry. She is a core member of Ecostage, and of the Society of British Theatre Designers Sustainability Working Group.
Jill Adamson is a Creativity and Socially Engaged Practice (SEP) Consultant who uses creativity as a tool for enabling and empowering groups and communities to become activists for social change and for improving health and wellbeing. She was CEO of the National Association of Youth Theatres for 7 years and is currently a Trustee for Derby Theatre.
Rhiannon White is Co-Founder and Co-Artistic director of Common Wealth, an award-winning site-specific political theatre company – making work that speaks to the here and now. Common Wealth have over fifteen years of experience making socially engaged work, recognised for experimentation with form and approach to co-creation and collaboration with working class people.