Vital Xposure appoints artistic lead

Disabled-led theatre company Vital Xposure (VX) has announced STEPHEN BAILEY as its new artistic lead.

A director and producer, Bailey has extensive experience creating new, accessible work. Previously, he was a resident assistant director at Chichester Festival Theatre and has also worked at Nottingham Playhouse, National Theatre, Graeae, Hampstead and the Kiln.

Bailey, who is neurodivergent, runs ASYLUM Arts and is a Barbican Open Lab Artist and Oxford Playhouse EVOLVE Artist.
 
Chair of Vital Xposure, SUE WILLIAMS, said: “Stephen’s appointment marks our direction of travel for more bold ideas and strategic partnerships across our work. His commitment to uncovering new stories and ways of making theatre chimes with VX’s pledge to bring sector change through disabled-led work and beyond.”

Bailey said of his appointment: “ Working with the board and current team, I'm excited that we're embarking on an ambitious new chapter which considers disability as a lens rather than a subject.
 
“Following VX's mission to share vital stories and expose hidden truths, we will pursue an artistic policy of disabled artists collaborating with other marginalised groups.

“In these challenging times for the sector, I believe a nimble company like Vital Xposure can play a key role in developing under-served audiences.”