Conference Chair: David Benedict

Chair: David Benedict

How auditoria designs affect audiences
Five leading theatre practitioners talk about current projects to create courtyard, in-the-round, end-on and adaptable auditoria, their impact on audiences and the potential for audience development

Vikki Heywood, Executive Director, Royal Shakespeare Company
Tom Piper, Associate Designer, Royal Shakespeare Company
Dominic Fraser, Production Manager, The Old Vic
Chris Honer, Artistic Director, Manchester Library Theatre Company
Emma Rice, Artistic Director, Kneehigh Theatre

Chair: Andrew Dickson

Engaging audiences in theatres design
New theatres aim to widen and diversify audiences, but how far do they involve audiences in the design process?
Panelists look at the best ways to engage young people, multicultural communities, students and teachers in Building Schools for the Future projects, and audiences for new work when designing and refurbishing theatres and in post occupancy evaluation

Christina Seilern, Principal, Studio Seilern Architects LLP
Ruth Eastwood, Chief Executive, Leicester Theatre Trust
Selene Burn, Community Engagement Officer, Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Steve Ball, Associate Director, Birmingham Repertory Theatre
Matt Little, Co-Director, Real Ideas Organisation
Keith Williams, Director, Keith Williams Architects

Chair: Bonnie Greer

Designs to welcome audiences
How can theatres harness new technology to improve audiences experiences, create intuitive way-finding to help audiences feel confident, provide easily accessible facilities including box office/information points, cloak rooms and toilets, and provide social spaces for all ages which drive ticket sales and other income

Adam Kenwright, Managing Director, aka
Morag Myerscough, Designer, Studio Myerscough
Leonie Wallace, Head of Visitor Services, Wales Millennium Centre
John Botteley, Theatre Director, Grand Opera House, Belfast

Chair: John E McGrath

How theatre buildings influence audiences
What makes audiences engage with theatres in the built environment, why theatres’ design, scale, intimacy, conviviality, location, history, access and maintenance are all important parts of the ‘brand’, how theatres design can help create social connections and make the invisible more visible, and how architecture and design influence a theatre’s reputation internationally, nationally, in a city or by a community.

Nicky & Lee Caulfield, Save Waltham Forest Theatre
Colin Blumenau, Artistic Director, Theatre Royal Bury St Edmunds
Jenny Sealey, Artistic Director/CEO, Graeae Theatre
Steve Tompkins, Director, Haworth Tompkins

Chair: David Benedict