Initiative aims to tackle socio-economic inequality in theatre

The Regional Theatre Young Director Scheme (RTYDS) has launched a two-year initiative designed to tackle class inequality in theatre.

Fair Play will aim to challenge the systemic financial, social, cultural and organisational barriers that prevent theatre makers from low socio-economic backgrounds sustaining careers and fulfilling leadership potential.

According to a statement from RYTDS, it will bring experience, processes and networks together to support and empower creatives from low socio-economic backgrounds, while also empowering regional theatres to ensure the future of British theatre is more reflective of society.

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Directors Stef O’Driscoll and Caitriona Shoobridge are joining RTYDS as co-Creative Leads on the project, to work alongside Artistic Director Sue Emmas. The trio have announced a national call to invite partners to support the scheme.

Emmas said there is “profound institutional ignorance about the nature and complexity of the barriers faced by artists from low socio-economic backgrounds, compounded where this intersects with racism, sexism and ableism.” 

“This bias is also felt most acutely by mid-career creatives who may have broken into the sector as emerging artists, but then face an unequal struggle to compete and succeed,” she added. “We firmly believe that this is the area of the industry where we want to work next to make real difference.”

Emmas added the project wants to hear from regional theatres and theatre companies that share a desire to address the inequality and deliver the Fair Play project, as well as from freelance creatives who want to hear more about the plans.

According to the Office for National Statistics, 7.9% of creative workers have a working class background. RYTDS says the sector would need to employ 250,000 more working class people to become as socio-economically diverse as the rest of the UK economy.

“Truth is, we’re tired of banging on about class. We just want to direct plays and do our job but, post-covid and amid the cost-of-living crisis, sustaining a career in theatre has become increasingly harder for creatives from lower socio-economic backgrounds,” O’Driscoll said.

“This industry is becoming more elitist by the day, and something has to change. To create a more equitable industry we can’t do this alone.

“We are grateful to RTYDS for leading the way with their support, infrastructure and resources so we can support artists and leaders to sustain careers and fulfil their potential. We call out to others to follow suit.”