What does leadership in theatre really look like? In this piece, Annie Rigby, Artistic Director & Chief Executive of Unfolding Theatre, reflects on why spending time in the company’s youth groups - playing games, crafting, and listening - isn’t a distraction from leadership, but central to it. Through real encounters with young people, she makes the case for why youth theatre deserves to be seen, valued, and taken seriously.
As the year draws to a close, we're looking back on 2024—a year of creativity, connection, and growth for Unfolding Theatre.
Here are just a few highlights from an exciting 12 months…
For National Work Life Week, we reflect on some of the flexible working approaches we adopt here at Unfolding Theatre.
We are delighted to announce Unfolding Theatre has received generous funding from the Garfield Weston Foundation to support the creation and delivery of our brand-new family production, Here Be Dragons!
Unfolding Theatre was founded 15 years ago with the mission of bringing people together.
This week, for the first time in our history, we have cancelled a young people’s activity because of the risks posed by a far right protest planned in the area.
The group is a glorious reflection of the diversity of our local communities. To tell you a bit about them, they love decorating biscuits in the style of gingerbread Taylor Swifts, performing Shakespeare and making music. They are planning to make a show that celebrates the international connections and cultures held within the group.
We are really sad not to be taking them on a trip this weekend. However, their safety and happiness is our priority.
We’re delighted to share the journey of The Curious Visitor at Cragside Primary School, made possible by the generous support of Arts Council England and North of Tyne Combined Authority.
Imagine a whole year of exploration as Alex Elliott, our Curious Visitor captured the ebb and flow of school life.
Observe the changing seasons through The Curious Visitor’s keen eyes and ears, and marvel at the diverse rhythms of Cragside Primary – from bustling energy to serene quiet moments. Nature, music, children, grown-ups, and even pigeons became integral parts of this enthralling project.
What would it take to make the North East the best place to be a disabled cultural worker? This question was at the heart of the recent North East Culture Social at ARC Stockton. Annie Rigby reflects on the event and the conversations had.
Go behind -the-scenes of Unfolding Theatre's latest show, Night Classes, as co-writer Lisette Auton shares her raw reflections on the beauty of interdependence and the challenges of asking for help.
Vici Wreford-Sinnott - Access Dramaturg for Night Classes - shines a spotlight on development on the show and what audiences can expect when it premieres this week at Arc Stockton.
Night Classes co-writer Becci Sharrock reflects on the development of new Unfolding Theatre show, Night Classes.
Ahead of its premiere at ARC Stockton, Artistic Director Annie Rigby introduces the show Night Classes, its themes and what to expect.
2023 has been nothing short of amazing for Unfolding Theatre, and we're delighted to share some of our best moments with you in this article.
'Tis the season for giving, and at Unfolding Theatre, we're excited to share a hassle-free way for you to support our cause effortlessly.
This holiday season and beyond, turn your shopping into an opportunity to make a positive impact on the arts. Unfolding Theatre is now a featured cause on easyfundraising.org.uk, a platform designed to turn your online purchases into support for the causes you care about.
A note from Artistic Director Annie Rigby after the North East Culture Awards ceremony, held on Wednesday 13th December 2023.
Ahead of the North East Culture Awards 2023 ceremony on Wednesday 13th December 2023, Artistic Director Annie Rigby reflects on the process of developing A Street Like This with community members in Sunderland, and the possibilities that open up when people come together.
Award-winning playwright and radio dramatist, Alison Carr reflects on the process of writing Unfolding Theatre’s new show; A Street Like This.
Exciting news!
Unfolding Theatre is bidding for a cash boost from the Tesco Community Grants initiative!
We’re hoping to raise funds for our project North East Deaf Youth Theatre which aims to support deaf children and young people across our region to develop their creative skills, build confidence and form new friendships.
Artistic Director Annie Rigby and Creative Associate EJ Raymond reflect on a year of working together as artists and founding North East Deaf Youth Theatre.
We chat about access, inclusion, failure, ambition and learning at Unfolding Theatre.
As the Hold On Let Go tour comes to a close, Unfolding Theatre’s Artistic Director Annie Rigby reflects on the show and its legacy for the company
We are casting for the roles of Poppy and Doreen in our new production, A Street Like This.
We are looking for 2 female performers to join performer Alex Elliott, music director Ross Millard and our community company to tell this story. We are looking for performers who live or have a base within 25 miles of Sunderland.
Co-creating with communities is at the heart of Unfolding Theatre’s creative practice. We are looking for performers who love to work in community contexts and who have strong music/singing skills.
Unfolding Theatre are taking part in the Christmas Challenge to raise £2,000 in just 1 week! These funds will be used for A Street Like This, a new music theatre production developed with 30 community co-creators in Sunderland.
Inspired and led by the interests and ideas of the community co-creators, A Street Like This explores the theme of unexpected friendships and the value of establishing connections with people from different political persuasions, backgrounds and ages. In the context of widening social divisions, the A Street Like This is timely and group brings together a diverse range of people, including Brexit campaigners and Remainers, people aged 16 to 70+ and from a range of social economic backgrounds.
We’re delighted to announce that our new music theatre production A Street Like This has been awarded a £10,000 grant from The Foyle Foundation.
A Street Like This is inspired by a collective of Sunderland residents with whom we have worked for many years now, co-creating projects together.
Many unexpected friendships have developed from this group, connecting people from different political persuasions, backgrounds and ages. A Street Like This explores this further and invites audiences to consider their own communities and how we connect or create with those around us.
With the summer holidays well underway, Deaf actor and writer EJ Raymond tells Deaf journalist Liam O’Dell all about their week of free workshops for deaf children and young people which begin next week.
“It’s up to the children,” EJ writes over email when I ask them what youngsters can expect from the sessions on offer. “It could be anything they would like to learn, including how to make a storyboard, puppetry/shadow work, how to write a story (for a short film or book), lighting work, costumes and much more. They might be doing something they have never done before, so it’s good for them to learn something new.”
That’s just one of the aims of the workshops, as organiser Unfolding Theatre also hope they’ll support deaf children and young people to develop creative skills, build confidence and form new friendships.
“I believe that drama/theatre/activities workshops help deaf children to build their confidence and their skills that other activities might not have taught them,” continues EJ. “That’s why I set up the workshop, to show them options that exist out there, for example not just working on stage and in front of camera but also backstage and behind-the-scenes.
“That’s very important for [deaf youth] to be aware of; what actually exists so that they can give opportunities a try.”
We’re delighted to announce that our project East End Story Makers has been awarded a £10,000 grant from the Comic Relief Community Fund (England).
East End Story Makers is a creative group for children aged 5-11 years old living in Byker and Walker. The group uses storytelling, drama, music, creative writing and food to create and share stories, providing a platform for children to talk about the things that matter to them and present them to a wider audience. It’s a safe and supportive space for children to learn new skills, build confidence and make new friendships
East End Story Makers will restart on Wednesday 21st September and this grant will support us to create a new production of the children’s creative work using a format and structure decided by the children, responding to their needs and interests.
If you have a child or young person that might be interested in joining East End Story Makers this autumn, please email us.
Along with the rest of the country, we took part in the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations and delivered them in true Unfolding Theatre spirit!
Together with our friends at young people’s charity Projects4Change, we hosted a Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Family Fun Day at Betty’s Hut and Garden, attracting 120 Cowgate residents throughout the day, including many children and young people.
A Blog for Children’s Mental Health Week
by Artistic Director, Annie Rigby
Mason: “I’ve got a really good idea. Let’s turn the lights off. “
Me: “…?”
Mason: “Then we’ll see how good the puppet theatres look.”
Me: “Ok, but first let’s tell everyone that’s what we’re doing.”
Unfolding Theatre is delighted to welcome three new Creative Associates to its core artistic team: Wambui Hardcastle, EJ Raymond and Becci Sharrock.
Unfolding Theatre is delighted to announce the appointment of Rebekah “Bex” Bowsher as its new chair of the Board of Trustees, bidding farewell to its previous Chair of five years, Anna Disley.
Unfolding Theatre is seeking two people to join the team as Creative Associates. Creative Associates are at the forefront of Unfolding Theatre’s community-based theatre-making helping to bring surprising combinations of people together.
