Theatres Trust Conference programme announced
- Details
Conference 19: Centre Stage will look at theatres from the perspective of the people they are there to serve. It will ask how to ensure that the needs of artists and audiences sits at the centre of theatre buildings.
Plenary speakers include celebrated sociologist and urbanist Professor Richard Sennett, who chairs Theatrum Mundi, a network of artists, critics and scholars who explore the relations between stage and street, Rebecca Holt, Battersea Arts Centre and the architect who worked on its recent restoration, Martin Lydon, Haworth Tompkins. David Micklem, 64 Million Artists, Hannah Fox, Derby Museums and Matt Fenton, Contact, Manchester along with members of the Con:Struct young people’s capital project team will offer their thoughts and experience of democratic design.
Taking part in an Artists’ Panel Discussion are: Nadia Fall, Theatre Royal Stratford East, Tarek Iskander, Battersea Arts Centre, Joe Douglas, Live Theatre, Newcastle and Bryony Shanahan, Royal Exchange Manchester. Punchdrunk, Theatre Absolute, Theatre Deli and Troubadour Theatres.
Devonshire Park Theatres, Polka and Theatre Royal Wakefield will talk about how to adapt and use theatres to make them truly accessible, inclusive and welcoming to all audiences.
A lightening round will give conference attendees a taste of current theatre building trends across the UK and the people considerations informing them. Featured theatres include: Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Bolton Octagon, Fairfield Halls, Leeds Playhouse, Shakespeare North, Theatr Clwyd.
Jon Morgan, Theatres Trust director, comments: “There’s nothing as magical as a full theatre where artist and audience together are engaged in the collaborative process of storytelling. Our theatre buildings are an essential ingredient that make that magic happen - Centre Stage will challenge us to place people at the heart of how we design and use them”.
The annual conference, now in its 13th year, attracts a high number of key decision makers and influencers, and provides an unparalleled opportunity for delegates to hear thought-provoking speakers, network and share experiences.
Conference 19 is sponsored and supported by a diverse group of theatre service companies and product manufacturers, consultancies and industry organisations.
Tickets are on sale now at via the Theatres Trust website, with an Early Bird discount available until 23 August.
(Jim Evans)
