We are experienced theatre practitioners and scholars initially brought together through work at the Bristol Shakespeare Festival (2009-2013). We aim to expand upon our previous successes and develop theatrical works that entertain, inform and stimulate dialogues with marginalized communities whilst also encouraging artistic and educational inclusiveness. We endeavor to create and test practical approaches with diverse audiences, to change negative attitudes on topics or groups routinely silenced, discriminated against, vulnerable, or historically and/or culturally excluded.
With BSF in 2013 we successfully produced Dr. Terri Power's play Drag King Richard III, an intimate and engaging story about two friends, both lesbian, whose friendship is challenged when one transitions from female to male.
The production premiered in partnership with We Are Proud: Bristol Pride at the Arnolfini Centre for Contemporary Arts July 2013. All performances were well attended, praised by critics and audiences, and the production was cited as a key feature of both festivals.
During the post-performance discussion, comprising a panel of experienced artists and scholars (national and International), audience members felt compelled to speak about the play and their experience of it. They expressed that there were many themes they could connect to regardless of their gender and sexuality. Both LGBTQ and BSF audiences found the event (play and post-production discussion) poignant, enlightening, and refreshingly discursive as it offered an open and inclusive forum for discussion and understanding of complex gender and sexuality issues through the medium of theatre.
ABOUT US
Company Members
Founding Members
Roz Hopkinson: Artistic Director
Roz directs contemporary and classical theatre, and film. She has worked with various companies: Steppng Out, Paines Plough and Clean Break Theatre Companies, The Prince's Trust, The Sitcom Trials, Theatre Uncut, ScottiDog Film & Media Productions (London, NYC). as a shooting director at Bandstand Marathon, London 2012 (part of the closing event of the Cultural Olympiad), and was Artistic Director at Bristol Shakespeare Festival Theatre Company's 2013 Summer season before taking on the role of Artistic Director at STANCE Theatre.
Terri Power: Playwright
Dr Terri Power has written, directed and produced experimental works of Shakespeare since 2003. As a published LGBTQ playwright and gender performance scholar, she has also worked and trained with The Queen's Company (NYC), RSC, Shakespeare's Globe Theatre, Shake-scene Players, SITI Company, The Wooster Group, and Disney. She is the playwright of Drag King Richard III. She also wrote Posession: Macbeth, Lear 1864, ESSEX, Small Change, the screen play Bridges, and Beautiful Ugly. www.drterripower.com
