Post-Pandemic Working Conditions and Freelance Contracts

On the second anniversary of the launch of the d'n Dramaturgs' Contract Package, the Dramaturgs' Network is bringing together representatives of Freelancers Make Theatre Work (FMTW) and Stage Directors UK (SDUK) to an online roundtable with the d'n Contract Working Group, discussing the work conditions of freelance theatre professionals in the UK since the end of the pandemic. The discussion will include the Big Freelancer 2021 Report from Freelancers Make Theatre Work and the Stage Directors 2023 Census from Stage Directors UK, which has recently become a trade union.

ROUNDTABLE PARTICIPANTS

David Harris, Jarkko Lehmus, Katalin Trencsényi (d’n)

Mimi Doulton (FMTW)

Harold Finley (SDUK).

FACILITATOR

David Harris

TICKETS 

d'n members – free

individuals who are not d'n members – £3.50

If you're able to sponsor the event (and the ongoing work of the d'n) by paying a little extra, please choose the 'donation' ticket – you can type in your own price for the ticket

A 100% discount for d'n members will automatically be applied at the check-out, limited to one ticket. If you'd like to make an additional donation, please add a 'donation' ticket to your order (see above).

You'll need to be logged in to the account you used to purchase your membership for the discount to be applied.

BIOGRAPHIES

Mimi Doulton (FMTW) British-Pakistani soprano Mimi Doulton studied at King's College London and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. During her studies Britain voted to leave the EU and so in 2020, Mimi voted to leave the UK - emigrating to Stuttgart in Germany. She still has an active career freelancing in the UK (amongst other places), with recent performances taking her between London, Birmingham, Bavaria, Copenhagen, and - in the near future - Los Angeles. Like most freelance musicians, she has also held numerous part-time jobs over the years ranging from telesales to charity fundraising, and uses her 'free' time to campaign for freelancers' rights as a part of I:OPERA and Freelancers' Make Theatre Work.

Harold Finley (SDUK) is a writer, director, producer and General Secretary of the Stage Directors UK Union.  He began working in the theatre as an actor, appearing in several West End productions, in regional theatre, in North America, and at the National Theatre.  In 2001 he began writing and performing critically acclaimed solo shows which toured the UK, America, and played sold-out seasons in London.  In 2013 he directed his play A Thousand Miles of History at the Bussey Building in London.  He co-founded and produced the Black, Queer & Fierce! arts festival, which is recognised as the first arts festival from a black, queer perspective.  He is currently developing a new musical based on Frank Wedekind’s ‘Lulu Plays.’  Harold is on the committee of SOLT/UK Theatre’s anti-racism and inclusion committee and Ambassador Theatre Group’s Diversity Forum, and he is a Trustee of Theatr Clwyd.

David Harris (d’n) worked as a stage manager and company manager before qualifying as a Company Secretary and as an MBA.  He was Business Manager at Company of Angels for nine years and Finance Manager at Told by an Idiot.  He is now Business Manager for Simon Spencer Productions Ltd and co-producing the musical Starr!

Jarkko Lehmus (d’n) is the director of Cirko - Center for New Circus in Helsinki, Finland, and a freelance dramaturg. He has worked internationally both on and off the stage in over 30 countries. His experience ranges from physical theatre to neoclassical ballet and conceptual performance art to commercial television productions.

Katalin Trencsényi (d’n) is a dramaturg, theatre-maker, and researcher, working in the fields of contemporary theatre, dance and performance in the UK and internationally. She has edited and authored many books, including Dramaturgy in the Making (Bloomsbury, 2015). Currently, Katalin is working as a lecturer on the Comparative Dramaturgy and Performance Research programme at the University of the Arts Helsinki.

ONLINE ATTENDANCE

A Zoom link to attend will be emailed to you the day before the event.