Can we make great theatre with everyone, for everyone – all in the same room?
Why are learning-disabled and neurodivergent actors still so rarely cast in mainstream shows?
What needs to change – about casting, rehearsal rooms, creative processes and power structures – for truly integrated theatre to become the norm, not the exception?
Across two days, our National Ensemble of learning-disabled and non-disabled actors will be joined by guest directors, speakers, and companies to lead:
- Speeches
- Panel discussions
- Provocations
- Masterclasses
- Workshops
- Open space sessions
Join us to ask the difficult questions, share bold ideas and practice, and build the future of theatre together. Let’s stop talking about inclusion on the sidelines – let’s make it centre stage.
Dates
Mon 22 September 2025 - Tue 23 Sep 2025
Space
Main House
Tickets
£0.00 - £50.00
Duration
480 minutes
Ticket pricing
Pay what you decide. We welcome any contribution you can make.
If 100 people pay £30 per day, we’ll cover all access costs and support fees for artists. Every ticket helps us put money back into our work and community.
Schedule Day 1 - Mon 22 September
9.30am (Foyer) - Registration.
10am (Theatre, participation on stage and observation from the stalls) Welcome Warm Up- led by Separate Doors Director of Movement Angela Gasparotto and Director of Sound Loz Kaye. Get into the zone for the day with a gentle introduction to the Silent Approach.
10.30am (Theatre, participation on stage and observation from the stalls) Masterclass - Shaping an Integrated Rehearsal Room with the Separate Doors National Ensemble and Dark Horse actors. Led by Separate Doors Guest Directors Helen Abbott, Kate Lovell and Anna Marsland this session is a dynamic exploration of ensemble building and scene directing techniques for actors, practitioners, directors, students and anyone interested in bringing a diverse company of artists together to genuinely collaborate.
With up to 30 spaces for active participation on the stage and plenty of space for observation from the auditorium, this session offers a deep dive into the world of integrated theatre practice.
12.30pm (Foyer and Courtyard) - Lunch Break
1.30pm (Cellar) Make Some Noise and Move Your Body (Voice, Song and Dance for Everyone)- Be part of a choir led by Loz Kaye and then join in with a tea dance led by Angela Gasparetto. Sing, dance and work off your lunch!
2.30pm (Theatre, on Stage) - Workshop - Rehearsal Room Tips and Tools with Special Guests - Guest companies (tbc) share some of their routes into an equal rehearsal room. A practical session of exercises and techniques with directors and practitioners, the Separate Doors National Ensemble, Dark Horse actors and up to 20 participants.
4.15pm - Break
4.30pm (Attic Theatre) - Forum - How do we get more Learning Disabled Neurodivergent Characters and Actors on our stages? - Led by Separate Doors Advisory Board members, ensemble and Artistic Director Ness Brooks. The forum will discuss how we integrate learning disabled and non-disabled talent and lived experience in writing, directing and producing processes.
5.30pm - Break
5.45pm (Theatre Bar) - Networking drinks reception in the Theatre Bar- Have a glass of wine or a soft drink on us, chew over the day’s conversations and network with fellow delegates in the Lawrence Batley Theatre bar.
6.30pm (Theatre Auditorium) - In Conversation with Sally Wainwright MBE- Huddersfield born producing and writing legend Sally Wainwright in conversation with Separate Doors New Writing Associate Judith Johnson. Not to be missed!
7.45pm - Close
Schedule Day 2 - Tues 22 September
9.30am (Foyer) - Registration
10am (Theatre) - Welcome Address - Nicky Priest, actor and stand-up comedian welcomes conference plus a curtain raiser mini performance from Dark Horse Theatre.
10.15am (Theatre) - Keynote Speech - Tim Crouch - Tim Crouch, experimental theatre maker, actor and director addresses conference. How will theatre be tomorrow? And how could it be?
10.45am (Thatre) - Panel - Paul Wilshaw and Theatre Leaders - Producer, learning disability advocate and podcaster Paul Wilshaw introduces a panel of theatre leaders including Kate Lovell (Co-Creative Director at Queens Theatre Hornchurch), asking what next for representation and general audience theatre. Followed by a Q and A from the floor.
11.45am (Theatre) - Provocation - George Webster - CBEEBIES presenter, actor, dancer, writer and Separate Doors National Ensemble member offers a provocation to challenge and inspire conference.
12pm - Lunch break
1.15pm (Theatre) - The Great Big Silent Approach workshop of all the talents - Shake off the lunchbreak and join the Separate Doors National Ensemble and Dark Horse actors in a Silent Approach warm up, song, dance and large-scale movement improvisation. A fun and engaging non-verbal oasis in a wordy day!
2.30pm Directors Roundtable Discussion (Attic Theatre) - What do directors need to know about casting and rehearsing integrated work? Hosted by Separate Doors Guest Directors Helen Abbott, Kate Lovell and Anna Marsland for directors and people interested in the director’s process.
Writers Roundtable (Cellar Theatre) - Is it OK for writers to write about things that aren’t their own lived experience? Is it OK to write with and for learning disabled actors? Hosted by Separate Doors New Writing Associate Judith Johnson and writer’s commissioned by Separate Doors (tbc) a session for writers in all media interested in whose story is told – and how.
Producers Roundtable (Theatre) - What are the pitfalls and what are the wins when programming and marketing integrated work? Hosted by Lawrence Batley Theatre Director Becky Dash with Separate Doors Guest Producers Kerry Andrews (Level Centre), Olivia Race (Lawrence Batley Theatre), Steven Bowyer (Queens Theatre Hornchurch) and Alice Bezant (Salisbury Playhouse) this session is for producers, programmers, marketeers and administrators and will explore engaging audiences to integrated work.
3.45pm (Foyer) - Break and populating the post it wall.
4.15pm (Theatre) - This is what we've learned and this is what we want to change - Separate Doors Advisory Board member Charlene Salter presents key learnings harvested from the conference. An opportunity for delegates to input live.
4.45pm (Theatre) - A Final Statement (guest speaker TBC).
5pm - Close.