Why co-creation?
Placing communities at the heart of the creative process has become a priority for many funders, including ACE.
How does this impact independent artists?
How can we communicate the value of the creative process, when there is so much pressure to quantify products and beneficiary numbers? Why is this important?
How can working with communities enrich an artist’s practice?
Where does this leave more traditional work for the stage, whose focus might simply be quality performance?
NOTE: This event includes a FREE lunch in the upper foyer after the discussion.
Featuring Panellists
Chaired by
Clare Brennan
Clare Brennan has been The Observer’s out-of-London theatre reviewer for a decade-plus. Drama studies at Edinburgh University led to practical training at L’Ecoles Jacques Lecoq and Philippe Gaulier in Paris. Work as director, dramaturg and workshop-leader developed nuts-and-bolts knowledge of professional performance and community engagement in the UK and Europe.
Panellists
Halima Malek
Halima Malek, is a community producer for Strike Alight Gloucester. Previously she has worked with women of all diverse communities co-creating projects in textiles and poetry. Whilst also producing and hosting a weekly poetry group called “SheSpoke“.
Evie Manning
Evie is Co-Artistic Director of Common Wealth, a political site-specific theatre company. With Common Wealth, Evie has toured shows around the world and directed performances with BBC4, NTW and received awards from Amnesty International, Scotsman Fringe First, Observer New Radicals and named in The Stage 25 as one of the influential theatre-makers of the future.
Nathan Powell
Nathan is a Director and Writer, making work nationally from his home in Liverpool. Nathan is the Artistic Director of NSDF and an associate artist at 20 Stories High. Nathan Is currently developing a show for Derby Theatre (Writer) and has recently directed ‘Sucker Punch’ by Roy Williams for Queens Theatre Hornchurch as a part of the National Theatres, Theatre Nation Partnership.
Keith Saha
Keith Saha, Artistic Director & Co-CEO at 20 Stories High, is a writer and director. He started acting at the Everyman Youth Theatre before going on to writing & directing. He co-founded 20 Stories High in 2006, and his plays have won awards & toured nationally.
Sarah Brigham
Sarah Brigham is the CEO and Artistic Director of Derby Theatre. Previously the Artistic Director at The Point, Eastleigh, and The Berry Theatre, where she developed a unique programme of support for established and emerging artists.