FAQ

Why are you called Women & Theatre?
W&T began work in 1983, when The Workers Educational Association funded a series of workshops entitled “Women and Theatre”. From this course a core group was inspired to form the company of the same name. As this name suggests, we initially offered development through drama focussing on issues of importance to women. Since then our remit has broadened and we now work with women, men and children. When we talk about our work we often say we are “giving a voice to those who are not usually heard” for a variety of reasons, which may be gender but could also be ethnicity, economic factors, education, weight, physical or emotional needs.

We also value what we call the “female perspective”: including multiple voices and perspectives, nurturing, listening, talking, sharing stories and taking a personal approach that values people rather than statistics.

So are you all women?
No! W&T have a core team of 5 staff (who at the moment do happen to be women). We deliver theatre and drama projects using both this core team and a vast array of talented local (and not so local) freelance actors and facilitators, of both sexes and all ages, colours, shapes and sizes. Just as our work reflects all sections of the community, so do the people who deliver it!

Have you ever been on television?
Perhaps the odd episode of Crimewatch! You might also have seen Aristic Director Janice in Phoenix Nights and Coronation Street…

Can I join Women & Theatre?
W&T is a professional theatre company, rather than a voluntary or community theatre company that you can “join” as such. Our projects are usually written and directed by our core artistic team, and delivered by professional freelance actors. We do run projects and short courses which are either tailored for specific groups or open to everyone, and opportunities to get involved in these are announced on our website. If you’d like to join our mailing list to receive advance notification of these, drop us a line on info@womenandtheatre.co.uk.

How can I work for Women & Theatre/How do you cast for projects?
W&T are a small company with a core artistic team who together with freelance artists deliver our work. We regularly work with a pool of local freelancers who are familiar with our artistic approach.

As a rule we don’t cast from CVs, and prefer a chance to meet people in person.

With large projects or those which require a specific skill set, we might hold auditions which we usually advertise through the Arts Council’s artsjobs mailing list (which you can join by emailing artsjobs-join@listmail.artsfb.org.uk)

In the past we have held annual general audition days which are not casting sessions for particular productions, rather a chance for us to meet and consider new actors to add to the pool of freelancers who we regularly work with. We are not planning to hold a general audition day this year as our current levels of freelance delivery do not require it.

Do you offer work experience?
As we’re a small company we have limited resources to offer work experience placements. We want to offer the best experience we can to those who visit us, so it takes a bit of careful scheduling on our part to make sure they are at a good time for everyone, when we’re busy with exciting stuff, but not so busy that we don’t have time to welcome someone new in.

Due to these circumstances we only offer two school work experience placements per year.

We are able to host longer placements at certain times of the year for University students that involve primarily working on a specific project or aspect of company administration that both compliment the interests and area of study for the individual, and benefit the Company.

Please contact info@womenandtheatre.co.uk to find out more.