Panel Discussion: Survival, Resilience, Well-being & Self-Care

Chaired by theatre critic Lyn Gardner

Theatre and theatre-makers have faced unprecedented challenges during the last two years. It has been a difficult time, scarring for many.

A significant danger for theatre is that we will quickly slip back into the old ways of doing things, the old career patterns, the old gatekeeping, the old ideas of what theatre is and where it happens, and the old power relationships.

There’s evidence we’re already doing it. But it’s not too late.

Provocations

• How can we use what we have learned as individuals and institutions about community, survival, resilience, wellbeing, unity and defiance to face the many challenges ahead? Challenges that include growing poverty, inequality and climate emergency.
• In the process, how will we transform ourselves as a sector so that theatre and artists can genuinely respond to community need and stand up for themselves and others?