In November, I had the pleasure of attending an Inclusive Practice Conversation at Bristol Old Vic, a rare and much needed opportunity to reflect and discuss with other artists what working inclusively means to us.
The invitation came through as part of the AHRC funded project Researching Local Theatres, delivered in partnership with Bristol Old Vic. While the project sits within a theatre context, what really stood out was the aim to widen the conversation beyond traditional theatre making. Artists working through movement, participatory practice and community based work were actively encouraged to attend, recognising that inclusive practice lives across many forms and settings.
The session set out to explore what inclusion really means within local theatre arts and participatory practice today, particularly in relation to facilitation, access and collaboration, and how these can respond meaningfully to local need. Importantly, the conversations were not just reflective, but also future facing, with the aim of contributing to wider discussions with funders about how inclusive practice can be genuinely embedded across the sector.
The session was led with care and clarity by Selena Busby and Sidonie Carey-Green.. I spent the day in a room of incredible artists, all working in a wide range of communities, groups and venues. We spoke honestly about the challenges organisations and freelancers are facing, from capacity and funding pressures to the realities of delivering inclusive work in under resourced contexts. We also shared the different approaches each of us takes to inclusivity in our work.
What felt particularly valuable was the time and space to really listen. Too often, we move quickly from one project to the next with little opportunity to reflect, evaluate or share learning with others. This day offered something different. It allowed us to talk openly about what’s working, what isn’t, and what we might do differently if given the chance.
The group was small and that made a huge difference. The room felt genuinely held. Rather than fleeting conversations or surface-level exchanges, we were able to have deep, thoughtful discussions that went somewhere, conversations that stayed with me long after the day ended.
Thank you Sidonie and Selena for inviting me to be part of this conversation. This research feels genuinely important and I hope it will help create meaningful change in how inclusive practice is understood and resourced going forward. If you’re interested in learning more about the Researching Local Theatres project, you can find out more here.
