Survey to shed light on musical theatre diversity 

A new survey will provide evidence about the underrepresentation of talent from ethnically diverse backgrounds in musical theatre.

The Diversity Matters survey, conducted by Inc Arts, is asking ethnically diverse musical theatre creators working in England to share the challenges they face working as librettists, lyricists, writers, sound designers and composers.
 
The survey, which is open until 11 July, addresses an information gap around the development of England’s ethnically diverse creators. The results will aim to change and progress how the sector's decision-makers embed diversity in their programming and production. 

Inc Arts says that while existing research shows the sector has diverse work in development, it is not reflected in the Intellectual Property Rights/Royalties end of the pipeline.

Interim Executive Director Kenneth Olumuyiwa Tharp added that understanding the talent pipeline that leads to off-stage roles is a crucial, yet often forgotten piece of diversity work.

“If diversity does not permeate into all the behind the scenes roles, and up the chain to most senior decision-makers, then we are at risk not only of undervaluing huge swathes of creative talent, but also of perpetuating a creative sector that fails to reflect the diversity of the UK.”