Sustained Theatre is the result of Baroness Lola Young’s ‘Whose Theatre…?’ report which highlighted the need to develop the infrastructure for the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) sector – also referred to as ‘The Sector’.  It is an informal network of artists and companies tasked with taking forward the findings of the report to ensure the further development and long-term success of BAME theatre. The main recommendations of ‘Whose Theatre…? are:

• To form international connections
• To develop leadership – individual, organisational and sector wide
• To provoke critical dialogue
• To create a network of spaces, both virtual and real.

It is recognised that these recommendations with the learning gained from the artist-led approach will have far-reaching and beneficial effect on the arts sector as a whole, and the BAME sector should take ownership of its future development – initially in partnership with the Arts Council until 2011.

In response to these recommendations, Sustained Theatre aims:

• To create a development opportunity for black theatre practice which allows for its engagement with and influence on the English arts infrastructure
• To create an infrastructure for the development of contemporary theatre practice, originating from a black theatre practitioner perspective.
• To support the national development of theatre art by the creation of a networked easy access infrastructure for the talents of BAME practitioners.

Further background information on ‘Whose Theatre…?’ and the subsequent reports can be found on the Arts Council website (click here)

International

Internationalism and Interculturalism should be at the heart of British theatre policy-making, programming, performance and training.  This recommendation aims:

• To present a showcase of British work alongside the international cultural calendar
• To establish a basis for sustainable two-way collaborations so that more British work goes overseas and vice-versa.
• To create awareness of international artists / companies/ critical thinkers who visit the country in order to maximize the impact of their time here
• To provide more practical information & assistance to UK companies
• To establish communication with existing artists  & identify emerging artists in order to foster local/national/international exchange, collaboration and dialogue
• To jumpstart cross European discussion & action on British / European collaborations
• To enable representation at key international events

Leadership

To shift the paradigm of the theatre industry through policy, advocacy and intervention within a strategic transformation for enabling and empowering the (BAME) sector leadership and to ensure their equitable representation in all theatre and related organisations.

Critical Debate

To establish a serious examination of culture and aesthetics of the [BAME] Sector with the purpose of preserving its interventions in the history of British theatre and its artists for future generations while simultaneously inviting critics to engage in a debate about the work from an informed perspective.  This recommendation aims:

• To launch a national and international debate on identity, aesthetics and ethnicity, that will inform future thinking for artists, stakeholders and government
• To host future critical debates informed by regional artists’ thinking

Spaces

The Whose Theatre…? report stated “We believe it is possible to develop a network of buildings with flexible spaces that nurture talent, promote excellence, provide career opportunities, and foster more equitable relations with the mainstream theatre sector.”

The Spaces strand of Sustained Theatre’s priorities is intended to address the need to create a network of creative playgrounds fuelled by artists’ histories, intellectual capital, the diverse approaches, and sense that artistic conversations can start anywhere and do not need to begin with a particular written script.  The spaces are about a place of play and learning, rather than focusing on performance and public.  These spaces seek to enable the [BAME] Sector to spend time on their craft and maximize their learning.  They will utilise what already exists and partner with others to create a clear route map that will improve and extend practitioners’ skills base and strengthen the wider theatre ecology.

In summary the requirements are:

• A non-public facing, accessible, large, flexible mid scale space to support participatory, inclusive and diverse performance practice
• A high ceiling and high rig to accommodate circus, street arts, dance etc.
• A strong high level grid supporting 3 tonne point loads
• Full LX sound and lighting infrastructure
• Flying facilities for automation of scene settings would be advantageous
• Access to education and training programmes for professionals and emerging talent
• Access to workshop facilities for electricals, lighting, sound and electronics
• Additional facilities for prop making would be advantageous
• ‘Green’ room/ social area/ kitchen & coffee area
• Movable seating for up to 80 persons
• Sprung floor
• Fully DDA and Access compliant to ACE standards
• Near to public transport/ parking
• Storage
• Capable of being hired out

In summary the requirements are:

• Facilities for 6 small emerging resident companies with approximately 24 artists total with central support (see below). Each company area would have a small kitchenette/ coffee area
• It should accommodate 24/7 working and access
• A central administration to accommodate a team managing the facilities, providing support to the theatre groups, possibly with production and distribution capability, and an HQ office for Sustained Theatre projects. This is envisaged as a space for 4 persons with an additional flexible space for 4 persons
• Residential accommodation on site or nearby would be advantageous
• A Childcare facility would be advantageous
• A rehearsal ‘white box’ which could double as an exhibition or installation gallery
• 5 smaller rehearsal/ practice ‘white spaces’
• 3 of the rehearsal spaces to have sprung floors and sound and lighting infrastructure
• Changing rooms, toilets and showers near the rehearsal spaces
• A communal social and ‘chill-out’ space with kitchen, food preparation and dining areas
• ‘Dirty’ workshops for theatre productions
• A utility room with sufficient washing machines, driers and sinks
• Storage for each resident company and for the central administration
• Outdoor courtyard, garden(s)

SPACES 1 and 2 are required to be in different areas of England. These two spaces are expected to be established in partnership with other organisations. SPACES 3 and 4 are currently being developed, and SPACE 5 is an existing web resource for the network.