Graphic image of three theatres with the word GROW
Breaking the Box

Wedi’i ariannu gan Gyngor Celfyddydau Cymru, drwy’r gronfa arloesol Connect and Flourish, mae Breaking the Box yn brosiect cydweithredol gyda’r partner arweiniol, Taking Flight Theatre Company, partneriaid lleoliad Theatrau Sir Gâr, Theatrau RhCT a Pontio, ein prosiect Hynt, a phartneriaid annibynnol.

A group of people sat around on chairs on a theatre set

Breaking the Box was awarded funding to develop a network of inclusive, accessible venues in Wales that are confident and supporting in welcoming diverse artists, backstage crew and administrators, as well as audiences.

The project offered training and support for an emerging Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent theatre workforce and encouraged inbuilding future roles for Deaf, disabled and neurodivergent creatives to Wales’ venues.

Early Career Creatives who were Deaf, disabled or neurodivergent were mentored and received training and placements with partner venues and other organisations. Project Manager Mary-Jayne Russell de Clifford shared a presentation on Breaking the Box at the Creu Cymru Conference 2023.

By identifying a benchmark for Wales in terms of where we’re at with inclusive practice and access, this project aimed to reimagine the creative workforce.

We hope that Breaking the Box will be a game-changer so an Industry Sharing Day was planned as part of the project, with lessons for the sector to put into practice in their own organisations and recruitment processes.

A further round of work through the Breaking the Box project has been supported by Arts Council of Wales and will include Awen Trust as an additional venue partner.