Out of Joint and PiPA will host two listening events to discuss the challenges faced by parents working in touring theatre on 17 September with actors, stage managers and creatives.
The organisations will welcome parents and other carers from across the industry to discuss the specific barriers for those with caring responsibilities, and to explore potential change in industry practice which would accommodate the needs of parents in working in this field. They are particularly reaching out to those from low income backgrounds and those who face other forms of social disadvantage which can be significant barriers to pursuing a career in the arts and are especially interested in hearing from people who self-identify as working class, BAME, disabled or any other underrepresented groups in the theatre industry with caring responsibilities.
The event will be child friendly: pre-school children are welcome, toys will be provided, and child-minders will be on hand to keep over-twos occupied so parents can attend without the need to arrange childcare. Tea, coffee and cake will also be provided.
Kate Wasserberg, Artistic Director of Out of Joint commented “Out of Joint is nothing without the talented and glorious artists we make shows with. We don’t want our audiences to lose out on any of that talent because we haven’t listened to what artists need to make touring workable. So, we are delighted to begin a series of listening exercises with this event for parents and others with caring responsibilities, in partnership with PiPA. We want to discuss the challenges faced and test out some ideas to make touring a possibility. We want artists to challenge us and have a really open debate, so that we can find ways through to truly representative companies that reflect the modern world we live and work in.”
The two 90-minute sessions on 17 September take place from 10.30am to 12pm, and 1pm to 2.30pm. Anyone wishing to take part should book a free place via Eventbrite.
