In 2024 I worked with Shoresh Charitable Trust to help them understand the landscape of UK Jewish Theatre, so they could better invest in its future.
I introduced Shoresh to Improbable and we decided to work together to host an Open Space event – an improvised conference in which the agenda is made up on the spot by participants. There are no expert panels or keynote addresses because the wisdom is acknowledged to be present and distributed in the group. Here’s the invitation we sent out:
What next for Jewish Theatre in the UK?
We are at a time of great richness and possibility for UK Jewish theatre. There are a multitude of talented individuals and companies working across all theatrical forms and there is much ambition yet to be fulfilled. The horrific violence and loss of both Israeli and Palestinian life since October 7th have intensified the complexities of making Jewish work.
Shoresh Charitable Trust supports Jewish activities in the UK and Israel, and we would like to increase our involvement in UK Jewish theatre. We recognise that to do so meaningfully, we need to learn about the passions, frustrations and people who make up this exciting landscape. We want to hear from you, and we feel that now is the time.
How can we work together to harness the ideas, talent and possibility, and help artists and producers bring a greater variety of Jewish stories and discourse into UK culture? What support do you need to make meaningful work about Jewish themes or to use Jewish traditions, culture and learning to enrich your practice? What support can you offer?
What really excites you that you haven’t explored yet? What fears do you have? What hopes?
What would you like to learn or share about getting Jewish-themed work onto UK stages? What even is Jewish theatre? Are you looking for collaborators, partners or producers for a project? Join us to explore all this and connect with peers, and to ask many more questions of your own.
For the full invitation and more information about Open Space, click here.
Reports of the conversations can be found here.
The image at the top are visual minutes by the brilliant Beatrice Baumgartner-Cohen.