We want to ensure that everyone feels welcome in their space and have engaged Equity, Diversity & Integration Consultant Tatiana Santos & EDI Project worker Emer Tyrrell to help to spread the word that Backstage is your theatre. We want everyone to feel welcome and want our audience to reflect that of our diverse community.”
In late 2022 we programmed a series of Community Meetings which gave people and groups the opportunity to not only hear what we have to offer but also voice their opinions on what they would like to see Backstage deliver in terms of shows and activities.
We met with people of all ethnicities, gender identities, sexualities, religions, ages and those with disabilities.
Over the years Backstage has delivered a number of hugely successful community projects such as Utopia St Christophers and Welcoming The Stranger with men from the local Direct Provision. These programmes were an incredible opportunity for the performers to hone and showcase their talents. We are keen to deepen our connection with the Longford community even further.
This programme helped us identify current barriers to participation and dissolve them through conversation, creativity and coming together. We hope to establish stronger connections with a wide and diverse community of people who we hope will join us on our ongoing journey towards a theatre that best reflects Longford today.