What next for Jewish Theatre in the UK?
We are at a time of great richness and possibility for UK Jewish theatre. There are a multitude of talented individuals and companies working across all theatrical forms and there is much ambition yet to be fulfilled. The horrific violence and loss of both Israeli and Palestinian life since 7th October have intensified the complexities of making Jewish work.
Shoresh Charitable Trust supports Jewish activities in the UK and Israel, and we would like to increase our involvement in UK Jewish theatre. We recognise that to do so meaningfully, we need to learn about the passions, frustrations and people who make up this exciting landscape. We want to hear from you, and we feel that now is the time.
How can we work together to harness the ideas, talent and possibility, and help artists and producers bring a greater variety of Jewish stories and discourse into UK culture? What support do you need to make meaningful work about Jewish themes or to use Jewish traditions, culture and learning to enrich your practice? What support can you offer?
What really excites you that you haven’t explored yet? What fears do you have? What hopes?
What would you like to learn or share about getting Jewish-themed work onto UK stages? What even is Jewish theatre? Are you looking for collaborators, partners or producers for a project?
Shoresh Charitable Trust and Improbable invite you to explore all this and connect with peers, and to ask many more questions of your own.
What is an Open Space event?
This conversation will be facilitated by Improbable, a theatre company who specialise in using a process called Open Space Technology (OST). OST is a simple way for groups of people to think, work and take action together around a shared interest. There is no advance agenda and the conversation will be whatever you make it. You do not have to be there for the whole day, however if you have never experienced Open Space before we advise that you come at the start, when the process will be explained and the agenda is created.
You do not have to be Jewish, or a theatre-maker, to attend. Anybody interested in Jewish theatre in the UK is welcome. The connections made, relationships formed and ideas shared at Open Space can be transformative. We hope you will join us and be part of it.
For more information about Open Space please see here:
Access information
JW3 is fully wheelchair-accessible. Additional support for other access needs is available, with a minimum of 2 weeks’ notice. We welcome neurodivergent participants - Open Space is always a 'relaxed' event. For any access requests, or if you would struggle to afford travel from outside London, please email rachel@improbable.co.uk
