Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Freelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 17h

Skills shortages and burnout are fuelling a mental health crisis in our industry.

We can all see it. We can all feel it.

We have an up-to-date range of arts focussed charities, mental health support organisations & resources available on our website here: freelancersmaketheatrework.com/support/

Freelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 21h

'The visa situation is a live ongoing issue – it’s also an opportunity to restate our value to the economy and articulate it bullishly, in terms of potential growth and benefit to the government’s ambitions for growth.' - Amanda Parker in @TheStage.

www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/thea...

‘Advocacy is vital in shifting government action... Theatre has both the right context and the right tools to support productive change: what’s required is for everyone to pick them up and use them.’ - The quote is credited to Amanda Parker - Associate writer for The Stage

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Freelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 1d

Working in Europe? The EU’s new Entry/Exit System (EES) begins its roll-out this Sunday 12th October. Be prepared for photo and fingerprint scans, and possible delays, at the border. More details here: etias.com/articles/eu-...

EU Entry/Exit System: Everything Travelers Need to Prepare For

The Entry/Exit System (EES) will replace passport stamps with digital checks, affecting visa-exempt travelers. Learn how it impacts your trips.

etias.com

Freelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 1d

"...accommodating those who want to work but need to be supported so they can make the greatest contribution doesn’t distract from the work theatre does.." - Lyn Gardner, theatre critic and associate editor of The Stage

www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/thea...

#Theatre #UKTheatre #UKArts

Freelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 1d

Curious about other advocacy groups and their work? Explore our growing list of remarkable organisations making a difference! 💪🎭

👉 freelancersmaketheatrework.com/advocating-b...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork #Advocacy #TheArts #ArtsAdvocacy

Freelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 2d

The disabled dance sector is thriving in many ways, but Kate Wyver investigates for The Stage how this is all under threat due to devastating, under-the-radar cuts to Access to Work grants and other barriers to inclusion.

www.thestage.co.uk/long-reads/d...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork #AccessToWork

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Freelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 2d

Director Miranda Cromwell has argued that being a theatre director is "virtually impossible" due to low wages.

Via @TheStage - www.thestage.co.uk/news/news/mi...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork

Miranda Cromwell: Being a director is not a viable career anymore

Director Miranda Cromwell has argued that being a theatre director is 'virtually impossible' due to low wages

www.thestage.co.uk

Freelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 3d

A report published about The Basic Income for the Arts pilot in Ireland shows that it produced over €100 million in Social and Economic Benefits and for every €1 of public money invested in the pilot, society received €1.39 in return.

👉 www.gov.ie/en/departmen...

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Freelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 3d

Freelancers & creatives! 🌍
The Theatre Green Book is running FREE intro webinars to help you make more sustainable theatre.

Open to all working in theatre, dance, opera, circus & beyond.
Sign up here 👉 theatregreenbook.com/events1/intr...

Freelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 5d

Director Miranda Cromwell has argued that being a theatre director is "virtually impossible" due to low wages.

Via @TheStage - www.thestage.co.uk/news/news/mi...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork

Miranda Cromwell: Being a director is not a viable career anymore

Director Miranda Cromwell has argued that being a theatre director is 'virtually impossible' due to low wages

www.thestage.co.uk

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Freelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 6d

Costume designer John Bright says he feels “worry about the future” of the UK’s creative industries, suggesting skills training for creative careers has become too vague.

Via ArtsPro - www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/costume...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork

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Freelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 6d

💡 Need EU work advice? Our Working in Europe guide covers visas, taxes, and more.

Visit: freelancersmaketheatrework.com/working-in-europe.

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork

Working In Europe - Freelancers make theatre work

The FMTW Working in Europe Hub where you will find recent news, updates, advice, support, lobbying information and more.

freelancersmaketheatrework.com

Freelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 6d

“Accelerated by the pandemic, we saw a brain drain from the live events industry of technicians and lighting engineers, sound engineers etc,”

- Southbank Centre leader Mark Ball, speaking at the Building Tomorrow’s Workforce: Creative Skills for the Future Economy Panel.

Freelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 7d

The CIC's Climate Group has released new survey results showing encouraging progress on climate action by creative organisations.

The report also outlines 8 practical steps for government & industry to accelerate future progress.

www.thecreativeindustries.co.uk/download-hub...

Freelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 7d

“How can artists make great theatre when they can no longer practise?”

Lyn Gardner asks about the conditions under which artists are expected to create, and what happens to theatre when opportunities to practise all but disappear.

Via @TheStage www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/how-...

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Freelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 7d

We listen to your thoughts, suggestions, & concerns & we’re committed to making sure your voice is heard.
To learn how you can contribute to shaping the future of our industry, visit our website & click on ‘Listen.’
Let’s keep the conversation going. 👉 FreelancersMakeTheatreWork.com

Freelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 8d

When permanent roles disappear, the work often returns on freelance contracts.

Read our latest blog on the impact of recent reports about redundancies and cuts in the arts.

- freelancersmaketheatrework.com/hidden-cost-...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork

The hidden cost of redundancies: a growing skills drain - Freelancers make theatre work

Sep 25, 2025 | Blog

freelancersmaketheatrework.com

Freelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 8d

Climate change experts have warned that theatre buildings are not prepared for "hotter, wetter and wilder" conditions in the coming years, with older venues and buildings in large cities deemed particularly vulnerable. - Via @TheStage

👉 www.thestage.co.uk/news/theatre...

Theatres ‘vulnerable’ to heatwaves and floods in years to come, experts warn

Climate change experts have warned that theatre buildings are not prepared for ‘hotter, wetter and wilder’ conditions in the coming years, with older venues and buildings in large cities deemed…

www.thestage.co.uk

Freelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 8d

Looking for financial advice tailored specifically for arts freelancers? We've got you covered!

Check out our resource page for guidance, support, and tips designed just for you. 📊💼

Start here: freelancersmaketheatrework.com/financialsup...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork

Financial Support - Freelancers make theatre work

A list of organisations that offer arts specific financial advice

freelancersmaketheatrework.com

Freelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 9d

UK Gov’s new #PrideInPlace strategy puts billions into neighbourhood renewal

Culture & heritage are “in scope” but will Boards treat them as extras or enablers?

@culturecommons break down what it means for our sectors.

👉 culturecommons.uk/news/pride-i...

Freelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 9d

Are you a musician who works in the EU? @WeAreTheMU have a fantastic interactive flowchart for musicians travelling to the EU – either solo or in groups musiciansunion.org.uk/legal-money/...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork

Flowchart Guide to Working in Europe

An interactive flowchart for musicians travelling to the EU – either solo or in groups – to assist in making sure you have the correct documentation prior to setting off.

musiciansunion.org.uk

Freelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 9d

'Art unlocks collaboration, self-expression, and potential in a complex world. It is vital to understanding ourselves as people and as a society, both at home and in the eyes of the world.' - Annilese Miskimmon, artistic director, English National Opera

Freelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 10d

“It’s never been a more difficult time for culture, arts funding is collapsing. Brexit has been very damaging. Our creative workforce find it hard to live in the city." - Justine Simon, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries.

www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/londons...

London’s creative industries chief admits there are votes in solving crime, not in culture - Arts Professional

London's Deputy Mayor for Culture and Creative Industries has admitted there are "no votes in culture". Justine Simons, who in 2015 received an OBE for services to culture in the UK capital, said it…

www.artsprofessional.co.uk

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Freelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 10d

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork is here to listen, support & advocate for ALL freelancers in the arts. We're an inclusive, independent community representing the 200,000 self-employed workers in live performance - who make up 70% of the UK theatre workforce.

freelancersmaketheatrework.com

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Freelancers Make Theatre Work @freelancersmake.bsky.social · 10d

The disabled dance sector is thriving in many ways, but Kate Wyver investigates for The Stage how this is all under threat due to devastating, under-the-radar cuts to Access to Work grants and other barriers to inclusion.

www.thestage.co.uk/long-reads/d...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork #AccessToWork