The British Council in Spain and La Red are pleased to present a new edition of Open Theatres, a series of three webinars showcasing best practices in the UK performing arts sector.
The first edition of Open Theatres explored how the UK theatre sector is addressing challenges around diversity and inclusion, the steps being taken to make the performing arts more sustainable, and the role of local communities in these processes. The strong reception — reflected in the high number of attendees from Spain, as well as other European and Latin American countries, and in the positive feedback gathered through post-event surveys — has encouraged us to launch a second edition.
On this occasion we will once again be joined by experts and professionals from the UK theatre sector to discuss some of the most relevant and engaging topics today:
- Renewed management models: shared leadership and initiatives focused on involving young people in decision-making.
- Measuring impact: why we do it and what it’s for.
- Sustainability in the UK theatre sector: best practices and concrete actions, with a special focus on the tools provided by the Theatre Green Book.
The sessions will take place on 17 and 24 November, and 1 December at 17:00 h (CET)/16:00 h (BST). During each session, different professionals from the UK theatre sector will share their knowledge and expertise related to these topics online. Each session will last an hour and a half during which they will present their experiences and provide tools for the audience, as well as facilitate a debate open to the exchange of ideas.
The sessions will be held in English with simultaneous translation to Spanish. Access will be free with required registration.
Programme
- Nov. 17 (16:00 h-17:30 h UK time) - Renewed management models: shared leadership and initiatives focused on involving young people in decision-making with James Mackenzie-Blackman, Evan Dawson and Mason Edwards.
- Nov. 21 (16:00 h-17:30 h UK time) - Measuring impact: why we do it and what it’s for with Rebecca Gould, Kirsty Lothian and another panellist to be confirmed.
- Dic. 1 (16:00 h-17:30 h UK time) - Sustainability in the UK theatre sector: best practices and concrete actions, with a special focus on the tools provided by the Theatre Green Book with Paddy Dillon, Raquel Castells, Gemma Swallow and Angela Buckley.
Speakers
- James Mackenzie-Blackman is the Chief Executive and Artistic Director at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.
- Evan Dawson is the CEO at National Youth Arts Wales.
- Mason Edwards is Production Assistant at National Youth Arts Wales.
- Rebecca Gould is the part time Senior Relationship Manager in the British Council’s Theatre and Dance Team in London. For the previous 7 years, she was Head of Arts for British Council Wales during which time she spent 18 months on secondment at the Barbican Arts Centre, London, leading a new department, Barbican Futures, and 6 months covering the British Council Wales Director, position.
- Kirsty Lothian is the British Council’s Senior Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation Advisor, Arts. Currently, she is setting up a monitoring system to allow the British Council to better collect the impact of their global arts programme.
- Paddy Dillon Paddy Dillon is a director of Renew Culture, and in 2020 co-founded the Theatre Green Book initiative to help theatre-makers towards a sustainable future for theatre.
- Raquel Castells is the Coordinator of the implementation of the Theatre Green Book at Teatro Arriaga, where she has been leading its integration since 2023. As an external consultant, she serves as the theatre’s Head of Internationalisation and Sustainability Champion, designing strategies that enhance cultural visibility while embedding sustainable practices across the institution.
- Gemma Swallow led the National Theatre of Scotland's green agenda, where she worked for 12 years. She is a dedicated champion of the UK Theatre Green Book and she spends much of her time promoting environmentally sustainable practices in theatre, building networks, and sharing her expertise to inspire change within the industry.
- Angela Buckley the Events and Greenbook Coordinator at Chichester Festival Theatre, where she supports the busy seasonal programme in sustainable practices through the Theatre Greenbook.