Event: Derby Theatre what can the future be? 10 December

30th November 2011

An Invitation from Gary Johnson.Theatre Manager, Derby Theatre. to attend ‘Derby Theatre: What Could the Future Be?’ to be held on Saturday, 10 December 2011 from 10:00 to 17:00.

I have had the privilege of managing Derby Theatre since the University of Derby purchased the lease from Derby Playhouse in 2009. Working alongside my colleagues from Derby LIVE and some innovative, extraordinary artists and creative people produced work has returned to this iconic building which has a long standing history of great theatre. Behind the scenes we have made fantastic progress on creating a real life working environment in which our Theatre Arts students can learn and develop their skills as the future theatre workforce.

Derby Theatre with the support of the University of Derby has made a long term commitment to the future of the theatre and we are excited about defining what this future might be. We know that we face considerable challenges in doing this, but these challenges force us to think differently about what the possibilities might be and what we might be able to offer that would make Derby Theatre unique.

I’m currently involved in many discussions about what will be possible when we go through a period of considerable change. Of course, one of the main things that changes is the amount of money available and the ways in which Derby as a city invests in the arts. In March 2012 the RFO funding programme comes to an end and we will start a new journey. It has been well documented that this funding transition has been a difficult process. We will have to think, act and work differently to make the most of the opportunities ahead. You may have heard rumours that Arts Council England has set aside some money specifically to support theatre in Derby. Well, that’s true and that’s part of the reason for sending out this invitation but not the only one.

I’m excited about the prospect of getting anyone who is passionate about theatre in Derby to talk to Derby Theatre about how we can respond to the big changes ahead. For me and my colleagues it will also help us do our jobs because we want to listen and discuss ideas with a wide range of good people.

We know that we are going to be making important decisions which will have a direct impact on audiences and artists in Derby and beyond. We have important choices to make and we know that these choices will in turn affect what the possibilities for Derby Theatre and the artists in the city are. Because of this, we want to be as well informed as we can be as we make these decisions. This is why we want to extend this invitation to anyone who has an interest in theatre in Derby to come to this event to talk about ‘Derby Theatre: What could the future be?’

This will not be a conventional meeting, we’ve asked Dick Robertson and Theatre Bristol to facilitate an Open Space event. Although Open Space may be new to you, it has been used productively all over the world. It is an interactive and inclusive way of structuring a meeting that allows you, the participant, to set the agenda. It is a dynamic way of talking about complicated and difficult things. You will not be talked at or asked to talk about things you don’t want to. By the end of the event the following will have occurred:

- Every issue of concern to anyone will have been raised, if they took responsibility for doing that
- All issues will have been discussed to the fullest possible extent
- A full record of issues and discussions will be published online.
- And YOU will have taken part in making it happen

The event is free, and we’ll provide good food and this invitation is open to everyone, so please pass it on to anyone you think might be interested.

I hope to see you there.

Gary Johnson, Theatre Manager, Derby Theatre g.johnson1@derby.ac.uk

Source: EventBrite Invitation: Derby Theatre what could the future be?