Theatre Disruptors
Become a Theatre Disruptor
Norwich Theatre’s Creative Assembly is inviting you to join our group of Theatre Disruptors and help us provide a kinder, safer creative environment in which everyone feels welcome.
Who are the Theatre Disruptors?
Theatre Disruptors are local residents who want to ensure that all voices are being heard in our work both on and off our stages. Moving into a second year, this group of volunteers are already challenging, educating and offering new perspectives. Each bringing their own life experience and expertise, they currently have a particular focus on access, communication, sustainability and cultural diversity.
Would you enjoy…
- Challenging, interrupting and bringing new ideas
- Initiating conversations, inspiring and celebrating
- Driving positive change through lived experience
We are looking for people who are…
- Committed to access, diversity, justice and inclusion
- Highly motivated, curious and proactive
- Resident in Norfolk
- Over 18 years old
- Interested in theatre and the arts, but haven’t pursued a full-time professional career in the sector
Commitment required:
The cohort will meet monthly between April 2025 and March 2026. There will also be optional events to engage with programming and Norwich Theatre spaces. Attending regularly will help you and us get the most out of this exciting volunteering role and enable you to influence real change.
Benefits:
- Develop your understanding of Norwich Theatre and the work we do
- Introductions to creative projects and theatre companies
- Complimentary tickets for you to see shows
Get involved:
We want to make sure joining our Creative Assembly is accessible to all, and so there are a few ways to apply to become a Theatre Disruptor:
- Application form: to let us know about your community and apply, complete the application form here and email it to takepart@norwichtheatre.org
- Video or audio application: to apply via video or audio message, send a recording to takepart@norwichtheatre.org
- Arrange a chat: if you’re not sure it’s for you and want to find out more, get in touch with takepart@norwichtheatre.org or call 01603 630000.
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Theatre Disruptor, if you have any questions about the project, please contact Miche Montague, Creative Communities Producer. by emailing miche.montague@norwichtheatre.org.
This information pack is also available in large print format, or as a video.
Application closing date: 14 Apr 2025
Creative Assembly
Theatre Disruptors is one of our five groups in our Creative Assembly initiative. Each group in the Creative Assembly has its own focus and will bring its own ideas and creativity to help shape the direction of Norwich Theatre. Together, the Creative Assembly will transform decision making at Norwich Theatre and enhance communities’ integration into the life of the theatre.
Our Current Theatre Disruptors
The newest of our Creative Assembly groups, Norwich Theatre Disruptors are already challenging, educating and offering new perspectives – disrupting the status-quo in a kind and constructive way!
They are incredibly motivated and committed to help develop and improve initiatives and strategies to ensure Norwich Theatre is the best it can be. Each bringing their own life experience and expertise, they currently have a particular focus on access, communication, sustainability and cultural diversity.
Meeting monthly, finding time to watch some shows, and even participating in creative engagement projects, the Disruptors are here to share their curiosity, provoke conversation and suggest new approaches and ideas for positive change.
Meet our Disruptors:
Nellie Allsop
As an autistic, queer person I’m looking forward to making sure that the voices of those who may be othered in society are heard by the decision makers at Norwich Theatre. Outside of my Theatre Disruptor role I’m a freelance public speaker and trainer, with an aim of helping staff, from tech organisations to NHS trusts, better understand autism. And in my free time, I love to crochet and to listen to the soundtracks of musicals!
Adrian Tissier
I am a writer, performer and trainer, formerly working as a visitor experience consultant for the National Trust. Norwich Theatre has fantastic potential to inspire creative confidence in a broader range of individuals and communities at a time of increasing division and environmental urgency, with the power to drive transformational personal and social benefit.
Anamika Bhattacharjee
I am excited to represent not only my Bengali community but also to contribute to the vibrant cultural tapestry of Norwich. Now a researcher at UEA, I studied in New Dehli, India and relish the opportunity to help cultivate a space where cultural exchange flourishes. I believe in the power of theatre to bridge gaps, break stereotypes and amplify voices that are marginalised or unheard. As a Disruptor my aim is to inspire creative change by introducing new communities and creating a new fusion.
Vikki Greenhalgh
I am excited to be part of conversation that has the potential to increase human connection and community with Norwich Theatre. As a speech and language therapist, I have worked with many neurodivergent young people and am passionate about raising awareness of understanding, representation and appreciation of diversity. As a disruptor, I feel it is important to raise questions and challenge the status quo. My aim is to inspire equality, inclusion, and champion the ability of theatre to bring people together and change lives.
Reflections on the first year of Theatre Disruptors
“As a cohort of Theatre Disruptors, we believe our success stems not just from one action or person, but from our collective deep dive into Norwich Theatre and its workings. For example, through our work, we are successfully challenging and interrogating perceived notions around access and diversity in the theatre.
We have all attended several theatre performances at Norwich Theatre Royal, Playhouse and Stage Two during our time in role which has allowed us to give detailed feedback about the scope and diversity of the theatre’s offering, the quality of visitor experience, and the suitability of enhanced access provision for audiences with a wide range of needs.
Having successfully fed into ongoing work around the organisation’s new Visitor Charter, we have consulted with various managers and change makers as part of our monthly meetings and beyond. This has given us deep insight into how the organisation operates.
Moving forward, we aim to focus on access, equality, diversity, justice, and inclusion. We will continue to challenge, educate and offer new perspectives, with each volunteer offering their own life experience and expertise.”