Freelancers Make Theatre Work
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Freelancers Make Theatre Work
@freelancersmake.bsky.social
2K followers 1.2K following 980 posts
We listen, support and advocate for ALL freelancers in the arts. An inclusive, independent community for the 200,000+ self-employed and freelance workers from all areas of arts. https://linktr.ee/FMTW
#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
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freelancersmake.bsky.social
#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork rose from COVID frustrations, uniting freelancers to amplify our voice.

Share your ideas, concerns, and insights to shape theatre's future with management, producers, and policymakers.

Join the conversation now: www.freelancersmaketheatrework.com/feed-into-th...
Feed into the conversation - Freelancers make theatre work
One of the reasons this community was started was to address the powerlessness that freelancers were feeling during lockdown. Separated and alone, we felt out of the loop.  We were unaware of what,…
www.FreelancersMakeTheatreWork.com
December 15, 2025 at 1:30 PM
freelancersmake.bsky.social
Freelancers deserve to be heard.

We’re pushing for change-fighting for fair pay, better conditions, and stronger protections for all arts freelancers.

👉 Find out how we do it and how you can contribute freelancersmaketheatrework.com/advocate/

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
December 15, 2025 at 8:15 AM
freelancersmake.bsky.social
A BBC investigation has found theatres are relying on these festive productions for a big chunk of their earnings - with one reporting last year's panto brought in 45% of its annual income.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
Pantomime is the bedrock of regional theatre, says Arts Council
Some theatres tell the BBC panto season can make up almost half of their annual income.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 13, 2025 at 9:15 AM
freelancersmake.bsky.social
"Don’t let us lose any more of our wonderful, talented, creative, artists and spaces. Art is the soul of society." - Sharon D Clarke, actor and singer.

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork #UKTheatre #ArtsFunding #CulturalInvestment
December 12, 2025 at 5:03 PM
freelancersmake.bsky.social
Words matter - especially in times of conflict.

Our Language & Glossary page offers definitions and guidance for more thoughtful, respectful conversations.

🔗 freelancersmaketheatrework.com/globalconflict/languageglossary

#LanguageMatters #ConflictGlossary #FreelancersSupportFreelancers
December 12, 2025 at 1:03 PM
freelancersmake.bsky.social
'Dance has been positioned as the art form that needs saving... Yet across every rehearsal studio and theatre stage, what we actually see is aspiration – from an industry rich in ideas, discipline and excellence.' - Jamiel Devernay-Laurence

Full article: www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/its-...
December 12, 2025 at 9:15 AM
freelancersmake.bsky.social
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
December 11, 2025 at 4:11 PM
freelancersmake.bsky.social
Being freelance should never mean being alone.

The FMTW LGBTQIA+ resources hub is a curated list of advice, support, lobbying information and more for LGBTQIA+ artists and those wanting to support them.

Explore the hub:
freelancersmaketheatrework.com/lgbtqia

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork #LGBTQIA+
LGBTQIA+ Resources - Freelancers make theatre work
The FMTW LGBTQIA+ resources hub where you will find advice, support, lobbying information and more for LGBTQIA+ artists in and those wanting to support them
freelancersmaketheatrework.com
December 11, 2025 at 12:25 PM
freelancersmake.bsky.social
Applications are now open for the Actors’ Trust Winter Grant, offering one off financial support, typically up to £350, for unexpected winter costs and bills. Applications are expected to close by Friday 19 December.

Details and how to apply:
www.actorstrust.org.uk/get-support/...
December 11, 2025 at 8:30 AM
freelancersmake.bsky.social
Who gets a seat at the table? An excellent Arts Professional piece looks at how culture sits within different governments and how that positioning shapes policy, priorities, and impact.

👉 www.artsprofessional.co.uk/magazine/fea...

#Arts #CulturePolicy #FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
December 10, 2025 at 5:15 PM
freelancersmake.bsky.social
There is an exodus of freelance theatre professionals – particularly in areas like stage management and wardrobe. To address this, Actors’ Trust has expanded its support services, as CEO Alison Wyman explains: www.artsprofessional.co.uk/magazine/fea...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
December 10, 2025 at 9:45 AM
freelancersmake.bsky.social
Fair Play co-creative lead Caitriona Shoobridge on benefits system & the arts 'the choice is either to stay on the poverty line & do small amounts of work (harmful to career progression) or abandon benefits in the hope of success (harmful to survival).'

www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/thea...
December 9, 2025 at 6:02 PM
freelancersmake.bsky.social
Culture pays!

Since 2009, UK City of Culture winners have seen £1bn+ in local investment, 22% tourism growth, boosted cultural funding & civic pride.

A new report from Warwick Business School breaks it down: assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/67fce7...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
December 9, 2025 at 1:33 PM
freelancersmake.bsky.social
🧠 Mental health matters. Check out our free wellbeing resources, from peer support to low-cost counselling, at freelancersmaketheatrework.com/wellbeing. #FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
Wellbeing - Freelancers make theatre work
Now more than ever there is a need to address the question of Freelancer’s well-being. Use our Wellbeing resource to help find the right path for you.
freelancersmaketheatrework.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:11 AM
freelancersmake.bsky.social
Pause: A Self-Care Support for Producers is a resource for producers navigating burnout. Incl. 8 commissioned writings with personal insights from producers, practical reflections + useful signposting.

producergathering.com/resource/pause-for-producers/

@the-uncultured @producergathering
December 8, 2025 at 5:50 PM
freelancersmake.bsky.social
We all need to be more vocal in supporting arts in our schools. A-level Music is down 43% since 2010, with under 5k in 2024. Only 16% of schools entered students into GCSE Dance, with entries down 59% to 6,723. A-level Dance just 960!

#ArtsInSchools #FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
December 8, 2025 at 12:30 PM
freelancersmake.bsky.social
There’s no place for coercion, abuse, or sexual violence in the performing arts. We all must work together to end inappropriate behaviour.

If you or someone you know needs support, find a list of helpful resources here: freelancersmaketheatrework.com/sexual-viole...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
December 8, 2025 at 8:21 AM
freelancersmake.bsky.social
A new alliance, the Cultural Exchange Coalition (CEC), has launched to remove barriers to touring, support cultural exchange & drive shared growth across the UK & EU.

They aim to turn political promises on cultural exchange into real action.

More here: culturecoalition.net
December 7, 2025 at 1:19 PM
freelancersmake.bsky.social
Applications are now open for the Actors’ Trust Winter Grant, offering one off financial support, typically up to £350, for unexpected winter costs and bills. Applications are expected to close by Friday 19 December.

Details and how to apply:
www.actorstrust.org.uk/get-support/...
December 6, 2025 at 11:34 AM
freelancersmake.bsky.social
More than half of the respondents to Queercircle’s Let’s Create Change survey claimed they had been warned expressing certain views, in particular support for Palestine, ‘could jeopardise funding’.

www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/arts-wo...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
December 5, 2025 at 6:15 PM
freelancersmake.bsky.social
This year's Big Freelancer Survey once again shows an industry hanging on by a thread, that relies on unpaid and poorly paid freelance labour to continue functioning.

Read the full report on our website now here: freelancersmaketheatrework.com/bigfreelance...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
December 5, 2025 at 11:11 AM
freelancersmake.bsky.social
The show must go on. But at what cost? And to who?

“...the narrative within the industry is that we should be grateful to have a job and shouldn’t complain or fight for change.”

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
December 5, 2025 at 9:15 AM
freelancersmake.bsky.social
We are buckling under the weight of immense pressure. How much longer can we hold on? And will the government take action before it is too late?' - Royal Central School of Speech and Drama principal Josette Bushell-Mingo

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork #WeAreCreative #Freelancers #Freelancer #Culture
December 4, 2025 at 5:30 PM
freelancersmake.bsky.social
'much of British theatre is functioning on the back of artists & freelancers, their free labour, maxed-out credit cards & payday loans. Immediately, that discounts large numbers of people from making any kind of art.'- Lyn Gardner, theatre critic & associate editor of The Stage⁠
December 4, 2025 at 11:25 AM
freelancersmake.bsky.social
Financial stress can hit hard, especially in the arts. If you're struggling, our website's support pages offers a curated list of government programs and charity resources tailored for creatives.

freelancersmaketheatrework.com/financialsup...

#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
December 4, 2025 at 9:45 AM