Mapping Local Theatres in Sunderland

In the final episode of the series, Dr Kay Hepplewhite is in conversation with Jay Sykes, lecturer in audio at the University of Sunderland, freelance audio producer and creator of Arty Party, about creative networks, ways of developing new work and opportunities for theatre makers in Sunderland.

Jay reflects on:

• The strengths of Sunderland’s smaller creative scene, including its flexibility, close connections and opportunities for community involvement.
• The importance of scratch nights and script sharing, giving new writers the chance to hear their work, receive feedback and develop ideas.
• The challenges facing smaller theatre organisations, particularly short-term funding, limited capacity and the lack of long-term security, with a lack of NPO (Arts Council National Portfolio Organisation) status theatre companies in Sunderland,
• The value of bringing theatre into unexpected and everyday spaces, making it part of people’s lived experiences.
• How greater collaboration, resource sharing and promotion between organisations could strengthen Sunderland’s creative ecology.
• The need for more opportunities for artists to connect, experiment and develop new work across the city.

This podcast is part of the AHRC-funded research project Local Theatres: Participation, Inclusion, Imagination, which explores the strengths and challenges of local theatre and what it takes to support a thriving theatre ecology.

Read the transcript: Full transcript of this episode

Find out more:

localtheatres.wordpress.com

jaysykesmedia.com

In this episode, Dr Kay Hepplewhite speaks with Annie Rigby, Artistic Director of Unfolding Theatre, about making theatre with communities in Sunderland and the importance of collaboration, participation and local identity.

Their conversation explores:

• Making theatre through collaboration and community participation.
• The importance of unexpected combinations of people and perspectives.
• Local identity, belonging and the diversity of voices in Sunderland.
• Taking theatre into neighbourhoods and places where it might not normally happen.
• The strengths of Sunderland’s independent, resourceful creative community.
• The challenges of limited infrastructure, funding, career development and audience development.
• The importance of sustained support for local artists and organisations, and opportunities for children and young people.

This conversation is part of Local Theatres: Participation, Inclusion, Imagination, an AHRC-funded research project exploring the people, places and practices that shape local theatre.

Read the transcript: Full transcript of this episode

Find out more:

www.localtheatres.wordpress.com

www.unfoldingtheatre.co.uk

In this episode, Dr Kay Hepplewhite speaks with Marie Nixon, Theatre Director at Sunderland Empire, about the role of a major theatre venue in the city, its extensive creative learning programme and the opportunities and challenges for theatre across Sunderland.

Marie shares her reflections on:

• The Empire’s place at the heart of Sunderland, bringing major touring productions to the city while creating opportunities for people to take part in theatre.
• The impact of large-scale community projects such as The Odyssey and Public Record, and the importance of collaboration between organisations.
• How creative learning activities help people of all ages and backgrounds build confidence, make connections and feel part of the city.
• The strengths of Sunderland’s theatre scene, alongside the fragile employment and career opportunities for creative freelancers.
• The need for more investment, smaller-scale performance spaces and opportunities to develop and showcase new work.
• How the legacy of Public Record is continuing through the creative projects and connections made by its participants.

This podcast is part of the AHRC-funded research project Local Theatres: Participation, Inclusion, Imagination, which explores the strengths and challenges of local theatre and what it takes to support a thriving theatre ecology.

Read the transcript: Full transcript of this episode

Find out more:

www.localtheatres.wordpress.com

Sunderland Empire

In this episode, Dr Kay Hepplewhite speaks with Corinne Kilvington, Artistic Director and founder of Theatre Space North East, Sunderland's only professional producing theatre company. They discuss the importance of accessible, community-led theatre and the challenges facing grassroots theatre makers in the city.

During their conversation, they explore:

• Theatre Space North East's work to remove barriers to theatre and creativity, including its free Summer of Shakespeare productions, community projects and youth theatre.
• The importance of nurturing people's creativity, confidence and skills, and creating welcoming spaces where everyone feels they belong.
• The strengths of Sunderland's amateur and community theatre, alongside the challenges of limited funding and opportunities for professional theatre makers.
• The need for affordable, small-scale rehearsal and performance space where artists can experiment, develop new work and build audiences.
• How greater collaboration, better training, more ambitious funding and a shared creative strategy could help strengthen Sunderland's theatre ecology.
• Why access to theatre should be a right for everyone, not a privilege.

This conversation is part of Local Theatres: Participation, Inclusion, Imagination, an AHRC-funded research project exploring the people, places and practices that shape local theatre.

Read the transcript: Full transcript of this episode

Find out more:

www.localtheatres.wordpress.com

https://www.theatrespace.org.uk/

Dr Kay Hepplewhite speaks with Holly James, one of the three directors of Atlas Theatre Company CIC, about making theatre accessible, bringing communities together and creating opportunities for people to get involved in the arts across Sunderland.

They discuss:

• How Atlas creates opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds, from early-years drama sessions to its adult community company.
• The importance of building confidence, friendships and a sense of belonging through making theatre together.
• How schools, community groups and local organisations collaborate to create performances inspired by Sunderland and its people.
• The strengths of Sunderland’s creative community, including its supportive and collaborative spirit, alongside the challenges of funding and finding affordable performance spaces.
• The need for more accessible small-scale venues, practical training and paid development opportunities for emerging artists and facilitators.
• How grassroots theatre can help people discover a love of theatre, reach new audiences and build connections across the city.

This podcast is part of the AHRC-funded research project Local Theatres: Participation, Inclusion, Imagination, which explores the strengths and challenges of local theatre and what it takes to support a thriving theatre ecology.

Read the transcript: Full transcript of this episode

Find out more:

localtheatres.wordpress.com

www.atlastheatrecompany.com

In this episode, Dr Kay Hepplewhite speaks with Emma Horsman, Project Director at The Cultural Spring, about community participation, creative opportunities and the role of local people in shaping arts and culture across Sunderland.

They dive deep into the local theatre ecology and discuss:

• How The Cultural Spring works with communities to make arts and culture more accessible, bringing creative activities into familiar local spaces and removing barriers to participation.
• The importance of building trust, developing confidence and giving people opportunities to discover and explore their own creativity.
• How programmes such as Go and See, Space to Create, Bite Size and Nibbles support community-led projects, partnerships and the development of new work.
• The value of co-creation, where local people help shape the work and artists develop meaningful, lasting relationships with communities.
• The challenges of sustaining community projects, developing audiences and creating pathways for people to continue participating in theatre and the arts.

They conclude with a discussion on what Sunderland needs to support a thriving creative sector, including funding, space, better promotion, audience development and a more joined-up cultural strategy.

This conversation is part of Local Theatres: Participation, Inclusion, Imagination, an AHRC-funded research project exploring the people, places and practices that shape local theatre.

Read the transcript: Full transcript of this episode

Find out more:

localtheatres.wordpress.com

theculturalspring.org

This episode features Matthew Blyth, Culture and Heritage Officer at Arts Centre Washington. He speaks with Dr Kay Hepplewhite about the venue’s role in Sunderland’s theatre ecology, supporting local artists and creating opportunities for new work.

Matthew shares his thoughts on:

• The range of activities at Arts Centre Washington, from touring theatre and community productions to youth theatre, classes and exhibitions.
• The importance of the Centre as a small-scale venue in providing opportunities for local groups and visiting companies.
• The strengths of Sunderland’s grassroots and community theatre, alongside the gap in mid-scale touring and locally produced professional work.
• The value of supporting emerging artists through rehearsal space, development opportunities and platforms to share work in progress.
• How collaboration across Sunderland’s cultural venues can create opportunities and strengthen the local creative scene.
• The ambition to help more Sunderland and Washington-based artists develop work locally and take it to wider audiences.

This podcast is part of the AHRC-funded research project Local Theatres: Participation, Inclusion, Imagination, which explores the people, places and opportunities shaping local theatre.

Read the transcript: Full transcript of this episode

Find out more:

localtheatres.wordpress.com

sunderlandculture.org.uk/arts-centre-washington

What does local theatre mean to Sunderland, and what is needed to help it thrive?

In this introductory episode, Dr Adelle Hulsmeier, Associate Professor for Partnerships and Participatory Practice at the University of Sunderland, and Dr Kay Hepplewhite, Research Associate, introduce Mapping Local Theatres and the wider AHRC-funded research project, Local Theatres: Participation, Inclusion, Imagination.

The project explores Sunderland's changing theatre landscape, examining the role theatre plays in community life, participation and inclusion, and the opportunities available to local artists, practitioners and audiences.

Drawing on research undertaken across the city during 2024 and 2025, Adelle and Kay explain why understanding and supporting local theatre matters, particularly in a city experiencing cultural and economic transition. They introduce the people and organisations featured throughout the series, from independent theatre companies and community arts organisations to established venues and cultural leaders.

Across the conversations, the series explores the strengths of Sunderland's theatre scene, the challenges facing its artists, participants, organisations and venues, and what needs to happen to create a thriving and sustainable local theatre ecology.

About the project

Local Theatres: Participation, Inclusion, Imagination is funded by the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC).

Read the transcript: Full transcript of this episode

Find out more: localtheatres.wordpress.com