The EQU[AL]ITY Project
Overview
About the Project
The EQU[AL]ITY Project explores how Scottish theatre might start to think – and act - differently about equality, diversity and inclusion. Through case studies, focus groups, conversations and simulations with artists and organisations, this project aims to turn a dramaturgical lens on existing initiatives and attitudes and ask: why does it feel like the buck stops with a greater number of visibly diverse faces? What questions do these schemes answer? What pressures limit strategic change in this sector? And maybe – most importantly – how do we find the resources to think dramaturgically about all of this and incite meaningful action within an industry permanently in crisis?
This project is led by Producing Fellow Leah Byrne and supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. Bringing together the input of artists, technicians, policy changemakers, organisations and cultural leaders, Leah hopes to create a reflective framework founded on questions rather than rules and to centre the people beyond the data.
Questionnaire for Individuals
If you’re involved in theatre as a freelancer, we’d love to invite you to share your experiences through a short questionnaire. Your practice could be technical or creative, and you don’t need to have professional theatre credits to take part. We’d like to hear from a range of individuals – not just those who are traditionally targeted by EDI initiatives or tick certain boxes.
- The survey takes 6-7 minutes to complete
- Responses are fully confidential
- Any question can be skipped
- Option to follow up with an informal 1-2-1 conversation
Questionnaire for Organisations
If you're involved in theatre as a freelancer, we’d love to invite you to share your experiences through a short questionnaire. Your practice could be technical or creative, and you don’t need to have professional theatre credits to take part. We’d like to hear from a range of individuals – not just those who are traditionally targeted by EDI initiatives or tick certain boxes.
- The survey takes 6-7 minutes to complete
- Responses are fully confidential
- Any question can be skipped
- Option to follow up with an informal 1-2-1 conversation
Paid Focus Groups
Alongside gathering qualitative and quantitative data via these questionnaires, this project will use two focus groups to broaden our understanding of the specific challenges faced by certain communities around EDI. These groups each feature an exercise that encourages artists to put themselves in the shoes of policymakers, leaders, and strategists: the findings from these activities will be used to inform the creation of resources encouraging organisations to critically question how and why they implement specific or limited forms of EDI monitoring, training and initiatives. Travel and access support will be provided.
These sessions will take place on Tues 1 and Wed 2 September11am – 2pm at National Theatre of Scotland Rockvilla.
Focus group applications open on Mon 10 August and close on Mon 25 Aug at 5pm.
For further information on these focus groups and how to apply, please visit the Focus Group Webpage below:
Get in Touch
If you have any questions about the project or want to know more about its progress and findings, please email:
About the Fellowship Programme
National Theatre of Scotland’s new creative cultural leader Fellowship Programme is designed to support creatives to experiment, be bold, brave and take creative risks within a supportive environment.
Each Fellow has been given time to design and deliver a project within NTS. They will also have supported time for their own research project which explores change-making.