What's on Past Events COMPLETE: Devoted & Disgruntled 2025: What are we going to do about theatre and the performing arts? CLICK HERE FOR THE D&D20 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL REPORTS FROM D&D20 CLICK HERE FOR THE VISUAL MINUTES BY BEATRICE BAUMGARTNER-COHEN Our annual unconventional convention for everyone who is passionate about making change in Theatre and the Performing Arts is turning 20 this year! And we are back in London for it, 12th - 14th April 2025 at Shoreditch Town Hall. ‘What are we going to do about Theatre and the Performing Arts?’ Want to know more about D&D? Give this a watch: https://vimeo.com/1047914267 Ready to book your tickets? CLICK HERE! Devoted and Disgruntled: What are we going to do about Theatre and the Performing Arts? An invitation from Improbable's Associate Director, Matilda Leyser This year Devoted and Disgruntled will turn twenty. We have done it enough now to know that it works, and that it is worth doing again – and again. If you have never been before, don’t worry - it’s not like a Netflix series where you have to binge-watch the previous nineteen episodes in order to feel up to date. The whole point is that the people that come make it new, make it up, each year. So, this year, even for those who have attended all the previous iterations of it, this will be their first time. Because this event, in 2025, has never happened before. Which makes it still relevant, still urgent, even though we have been asking the same question for nearly twenty years: What are we (meaning you, meaning me) going to do about the things we care about? Still, I get that it could be intimidating to come along. Because the very idea of attending an event with, perhaps, two hundred odd people there, who all have some relationship to theatre and the performing arts could sound terrifying, or exhausting. In the two years that I didn’t go, that’s what I thought. I thought hiding in my room would be a better, less stressful and more productive use of the weekend. I was wrong. This year, however, I am feeling intimidated again. This is because I spent a good deal of the last nine months in a hospital room, on my own, undergoing intensive chemotherapy, and I am now wondering how to step back into life, so the idea of a crowd of people with whom I might have to interact is alarming. I will almost certainly cry. But because I know that getting what you need - whatever that is, be it quiet time, or connection, or inspiration, or support on a specific project or issue, or an antidote to despair, or a chance to be heard, or a new haircut - is embedded into the structure of D&D, I know it will be okay, important, helpful. So, whatever you have been through in the last year, whatever you are facing now, please come. Get shit done. Have a laugh. Have a cry. I will bring tissues. You bring the issues. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An Invitation from Erica Whyman - Chair of the Board, Improbable Twenty years ago I walked into a room with an astonishing array of people who had come together because they felt something in common with me. We’d come about the theatre.* We were devoted to it for reasons we couldn’t always explain. We were disgruntled, tired, impatient, irritated, excluded, passionate, angry perhaps, wrestling with how hard it is to keep going back in the ring and make this thing which we love, which we know matters, which should be simplicity itself – a performer, an audience. These twenty years have been quite the ride. Theatre has flourished, and it has dwindled, not necessarily in that order. It has been funded (sometimes), loved, cherished, turned inside out and it has also been crushed, used, sidelined, misunderstood, and for a time shut down entirely. It is in rude health every time any of us insists it happens – especially when we find new ways to make it feel essential to an audience. And it still feels to me like an unreasonably leaky ship. More leaky, more unreasonable? I think so. Some of us are still devoted, some of us still don’t know why. Quite a lot of us couldn’t afford to fall or stay in love with it as the cost was far too high. Every year for twenty years, D and D has opened space for us to come together. I look back with gratitude for every conversation that propelled us forward, enlightened, enriched and sustained. We - and only we - choose what we do with that time. Commiserate, analyse, find solidarity, understand afresh, dream up wholly new ways of doing it, write a simple list or a magnificent action plan, make a manifesto for changing the world or a pledge to take better, wiser care of one another. We choose. I’ve spent a lifetime running theatres and the last couple of years I’ve spent a lot of energy wondering if theatre and I are ready to call it a day. Not sure she still needs me, and not sure how to find ways to make sure she can speak through all the noise. And yet here I am, still convinced she has something to offer in a world that is feverish with change, pain and possibility, inviting you to come and meet with her – the theatre - to meet her where she is, and wrestle and console and listen and think. Or whatever it is you want to do with her. You choose. When we open the space we always say that whoever comes are the right people. Which is profoundly true. And this year I would really like you to come. Maybe you’re a leader carrying that burden for the rest of us (thank you), unsure whether your own devotion, or disgruntlement, or your realism or your dreams will be seen and heard? If you come, they will. You choose. Maybe you haven’t been before and it sounds daunting? If you come we will choose to make the space you need it to be. Maybe you are exhausted by how much there is still to do, unsure if you can choose devotion, beyond disgruntled? If you come we will be by your side, whatever you choose. You can bring your questions, your heart, your mind, you can bring your scepticism and your secret hope, you could even bring the Chair of your Board. If you come, we can work, together, on all of it. The world definitely needs us to rehearse some new stories. I’d like to figure out how with you. See you there Erica *With thanks to Miss Littlewood ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An invitation from Pavlos Christodoulou - Creative Director, Boundless Theatre I’m lucky that I get to regularly chat to young artists, producers, creatives, curators etc. Basically, wicked creative people with loads of ideas. I often leave these conversations feeling excited and optimistic. But more and more I’m also hearing that young people are stuck. Many are struggling to find work. Some have done all the things they were told they needed to and are still facing a new version of the same barriers. Some are ready to leave an industry that doesn’t practice what it preaches. A few have lots of work but are burnt out and still can’t really make a decent living. You might be hearing the same things. You might feel this way yourself. I know when I have, it can also make me feel really isolated. Towards the end of last year, at a time when I was feeling stuck and full of doubt, I went to hang out with Improbable and some awesome artists and leaders. Through care, and honest conversation, I left feeling full and permissioned and ready to do the work. I really want you to know you don't have to go it alone, and that there are spaces where transparent conversation and care exist. Where healing can happen. Where another now is possible. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An invitation from Izzi Dixon & Grace Chapman - Co-Founders and Directors, Cup of Ambition What are we going to do about marketing theatre in 2025? “Selling tickets is just really hard isn’t it?” - This is probably the statement we hear most from artists in our work as marketeers. It feels like stating the obvious, but selling tickets has always been a primary goal for theatremakers. It’s your way of financing the work and paying your team but more than that - what’s the creativity for if there’s not an audience there to respond? Wasn’t that, for many of us, the thing we missed most when we were trying to collaborate over Zoom and watch grainy livestreams back in 2020? It’s what we love the most about live theatre. The connection between an audience and performers, heartbeats in the same shared space, is magic. But whether you’re a theatre veteran or a graduate straight out of drama school or somewhere in between, the process of getting bums on seats is difficult, expensive and nervewracking. Why do we think this is? Is it the ongoing cost of living crisis? Is it the moving goalposts of the marketing landscape - the fact that social media, the easiest and cheapest way to get comms out to audiences, is saturated, politically divisive and often requires a content plan which few artists have time to manage? Or is it a skills gap? Every venue, artist and comms expert has a different idea and there are a lot of forces at work on audiences that are often beyond your budget and control. From our experience, we feel there’s a unique crisis facing the industry: the increasing difficulty in recruiting skilled theatre marketers. Many of our colleagues left the industry during COVID, citing burnout, sadness around being at the forefront of audience comms in cancelling shows or communicating cutbacks, or simply being offered a more stable, better paid job in another industry. Anecdotally, we receive many more requests for work than we can take on. Our list of fellow freelancers - while all brilliant individuals - is not huge, and we’re often approached to fill marketing positions at venues who are unable to recruit. At the same time, there’s a wealth of up and coming graduates who have the passion and technological skills to be the next generation of theatre marketers - but with more senior positions left unfilled, where are the mentoring opportunities that will allow them to grow? Are we facing a crisis that could easily spiral for years to come? An audience’s reaction has the power to be career-defining, validating and encouraging for artists and we need that now more than ever. Plus, who doesn’t love turning to the person next to them in a theatre and going “oh that was good!”. A full (or full-ish) room can turn a very good piece of work into something unforgettable. So what do we do about finding those audiences - now, in 2025, and in the future? We have a phrase that we use on a daily basis - “work really hard, hold your nerve, and learn from others”. Combining experiences, ideas, skills and resources - and supporting each other - was one of the founding principles of Cup of Ambition and places like Devoted & Disgruntled are the perfect place to do that. So, we invite you to come together to talk about how to reach them - where we’re struggling right now, how we navigate this, and how we can help each other to connect. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An invitation from Flo O'Mahony - Artistic Director, Zoo Co Devoted and Disgruntled was something I said I’d go to for 3 or 4 years, before I finally got my sh*t together and showed up - typical Flo, that. I was in my early 20’s, I’d set up a theatre company with my mates, and I was just starting to feel like I might be missing out on something, or like I might be on the outside of something that I wanted to be a part of. Devoted and Disgruntled felt like walking into the living room of the industry, realising I was part of it, and experiencing a space where everyone felt comfy enough to take off their coats, sink in, put the kettle on and say what really mattered. I was relieved to find out other people, like me, were disgruntled. Other people, like me, were devoted to change. (And that there were good beanbags and teabags for squishing into and having a good goss, when I needed a break from all the being devoted/ disgruntled). Now, I see D+D as being like gathering up a big, diverse, complex, contradictory and shifting weather report on what is really happening in theatre, what matters. It reminds me that I have at least some power to affect the weather I find myself in, rather than standing outside in it shivering and getting wet and shaking my little fists at the sky. (And oh my god there’s currently a lot to shake our fists at). Working in Open Space, following the Law Of Two Feet/ the Law of Mobility for a weekend, reminds me of the agency and autonomy I am privileged to experience in my job, and in my life. I tend to leave feeling a bit less lonely, a little bit wiser, a little bit freer, a bit more brave. Come and join us? ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An invitation from Kathryn Bilyard - Executive Producer, Improbable Every time we do Devoted and Disgruntled it seems to hit a good moment, probably because there are always things happening I want to work on. I wasn’t going to write an invite this year but I was in a meeting earlier which made me Disgruntled and showed up how I am also Devoted. So here we go. What Are We Going To Do About The Future Of Theatre And The Performing Arts? The Arts Council is being reviewed, but reviewed alongside a much talked about political agenda to move money out of centralised bodies and devolve it. It feels like we’re about to get nobbled in the name of the devolution revolution. I sort of feel about ACE how I feel about an annoying sibling, I can whinge about her all I want but you can’t. That’s our arts council and we will defend her fiercely (while complaining relentlessly). But what can I do about it? The only feedback routes are a survey which will be read by AI or round tables which are invite only. It’s all going very well. So, this is my invite to you (not about ACE specifically you’ll be glad to know). Don’t wait for an invitation. Don’t wait for permission. Let’s not squeeze ourselves into an unsatisfying mould. Bring your issues, curiosities, dreams, fights and put them on the wall. Find people who want to work on that with you and get going. Come and find out what’s burning for others because let’s face it, there’s plenty to be getting on with. Let’s not wait for permission. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An invitation from Ailin Conant and Lian Wilkinson - New Earth Theatre Ailin has come out of rehearsals for a climate justice piece inspired by The Nutmeg's Curse straight off the back of My Neighbour Totoro with Improbable, and Lian is just returning from an Executive Director retreat. These projects and spaces have sustained us in many different (sometimes contradictory) ways, generating many questions around how to create theatre in a way which sustains our wonder, spirit, ambition, and imagination while also sustaining the planet, our communities, and our own physical bodies. At a time of decreased resource and increased home and work pressures at home, social isolation and global conflict, identifying what nourishes us and keeps us going feels critically important. Join us at Devoted and Disgruntled, confident that you have the permission to be your whole self: with your love, your care, your passion, your apathy and your confusion. Open Space principles assert that whoever shows up are the right people, so you play a key role in shaping the scope of the weekend just by showing up. We can't wait to see you there! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An invitation from Anna Oggero - Executive Producer, PROJEKT EUROPA At PROJEKT EUROPA, we work to amplify the voices of first-generation migrant theatre makers and reimagine who theatre is for and who gets to make it. We centre international perspectives, collaboration across borders (both real and imagined), and stories that disrupt dominant narratives. When I think about this year’s D&D question — “What are we going to do about Theatre and the Performing Arts?” — I feel both hopeful and tired. Hopeful, because every year I meet artists, colleagues and community builders pushing to make our sector more just, more accessible, and more exciting. Tired, because more and more often, those doing this work are stretched thin, under-resourced, and isolated — especially those from migrant and diasporic backgrounds, or those trying to work across languages, identities and forms. My dream is to be part of a sector that celebrates multiplicity not just in name, but in practice. That listens to artists who are rebuilding from the cracks and imagining different futures. That sees multilingual, cross-cultural and migrant-led work not as niche, but as central to our future. If any of that resonates with you — or if you disagree entirely but want to talk about it — come to this D&D. Bring your questions, your imagination, your ideas, your quiet. Looking forward to hearing all of it. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- An Invitation from Ellie Browning - Head of Cultural Programme, Shoreditch Town Hall Shoreditch Town Hall’s rich history as a centre for discussion, dialogue and debate, for new ideas and progression make it a fitting home for D&D. But the building has survived fire, world wars, and a period of neglect which saw it join the English Heritage Buildings at Risk register - before a successful campaign to save the building subsequently made it into the vibrant arts, events and community venue it is today. It’s this survivalist part of its history that feels the most fitting connection to host D&D's 20th anniversary and we're thrilled to be hosting this weekend. Ready to book your tickets? CLICK HERE! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- You can post your own invitations to this event below in the comments, or on your own platforms and social media. It's a chance to read why other people are coming, what experiences they've had before, and what important topics they'd like to discuss this year. Let's start the conversation now. Location Shoreditch Town Hall - Assembly Hall 380 Old StreetLondonEC1V 9LT Event Timings D&D20 will run from Saturday 12th - Monday 14th April 2025. Doors open at 10:30am Saturday-Sunday and will end at around 7pm on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th. Doors open at 10am on Monday 14th April 2025. On Monday 14th April, the event will end at approximately 2:30pm. There will be a one hour lunch each day from around 1:30pm-3pm. The timetables on the day are only a guide and you are free to take breaks whenever you like! Tickets We use a Pay What You Choose (PWYC) model to make this event accessible to everyone. We never want the cost of Devoted and Disgruntled to prevent somebody participating in Open Space Conversations. The minimum suggested ticket price is £10. If this is a barrier, you may be eligible for a Pay It Forward ticket (information on this below). Improbable subsidises the cost of D&D as part of our Arts Council Funding National Portfolio Organisation status. However, our funding does not cover the full cost of the event. To break even, we would need all attendees (250 people) to spend an average of £30 per ticket. That is a total of £7,500 towards the event, which costs approx £22,000 in total each year. Carers/Support Workers can access a free ticket if you are supporting the person you care for. PAY IT FORWARDS There is also a Pay It Forward Option. By selecting this ticket type, you are purchasing a ticket for somebody who would be otherwise unable to attend. To do this, you can add a 'Pay It Forward' ticket to your basket.* *Please note, this option includes an additional ticket only, it does not include general admission to the event. If you would also like to attend, please select a general admission ticket in addition to a Pay It Forward ticket. ACCESSING A PAY IT FORWARD TICKET If you are on a low income and/or are in receipt of income-related benefits, you are eligible to apply for one of our Pay It Forward Tickets free of charge. To access this, please email [email protected]. Please note, there are a limited number of free tickets available. A booking fee will be charged per ticket. The amount will vary based on the ticket cost. BOOK TICKETS HERE Refreshments / Lunch Tea and coffee will be available throughout the day. You are welcome to bring your own lunch, or there are a number of food options in the area. Access information For a detailed list of Access Information about our Events please visit here. Devoted and Disgruntled uses an Open Space format. This means that attendees get to set the agenda themselves, instead of following a fixed timetable of speakers - anyone can call a session on anything, which means that the most important and vital issues and topics can be discussed on the day. Visit Shoreditch Town Hall's website for a 3D tour of the building and their full access information. If you have any specific access queries, please email [email protected]. D&D Video Guide https://vimeo.com/1047913306 Wellbeing Partner for D&D 25 We are really pleased to announce our wellbeing partner for this event is Wellbeing in the Arts. Founder Adam Bambrough will be on hand throughout to support you. Deaf, deafened and hard-of-hearing Live captions are provided only for opening and closing circles (the beginning and end of the event when we are all gathered in one group). There will be no captioning in the break-out spaces, but we do have hand-held amplifiers for you to use and some smaller, quieter break-out spaces. BSL interpreters will be present for the whole day. Mobility & building access There is a platform lift from the street to the main foyer, and also a passenger lift providing step-free access to the basement (The Ditch), ground (Council Chamber, Mayors Parlour) and first floors (Assembly Hall stalls, Large, Medium and Small Committee Rooms). D&D20 will take place in The Assembly Hall, which is located on the first floor and can be accessed step-free via a lift, however the balcony on the second floor of the hall is only accessible via 66 steps with one rest area. Please contact Improbable at [email protected] if you require the use of a lift as supervision is needed. Toilets are located in the ground floor foyer, before the stairs. Shoreditch Town Hall's toilets are gender neutral. An accessible toilet which also has baby changing facilities can also be found in the ground floor foyer. Neurodivergent access We welcome neurodivergent participants. Open Space is always a 'relaxed performance'! If you feel worried or are unsure of the process, you can ask the facilitator or co-ordinator for help at any time during the event. They'll make themselves known to the group at the beginning of the event. If you want to know more about what to expect at this event, you can click here for a clear-English guide to the Open Space Technology. We are happy to answer any questions about the process that you might have, so you can also contact us to ask for more information. Shoreditch Town Hall's Quiet Space is available during the event for anyone who needs it. This is a signposted room off the foyer, on the ground floor of the building. Please speak to a member of Improbable or STH staff if you need any help finding the space. Personal Assistants/Carers Personal assistants and carers are always admitted free of charge when supporting the person you care for. Access support workers will be on hand to help you throughout the event. Assistance dogs are always welcome at Shoreditch Town Hall. If you require the support of other companion animals, please get in touch so we can ensure we are prepared to accommodate them. Children We don't provide childcare, but children are always welcome in the space if supervised by their parent or carer. We are also open to supporting networks of parents to club together and arrange a childcare solution that suits them. Booking for this event has now closed. Book