Theatre on the Steps

We provide the Artistic Direction and General Management of Theatre on the Steps.

Theatre on the Steps is a historic small-scale theatre located in the centre of Bridgnorth, Shropshire. For more than sixty years the theatre has been a cultural hub for the town and surrounding rural communities, presenting theatre productions, live performance and creative opportunities for artists, community members and audiences. With two performance spaces, the main house holds 182 seats and the Old Green Room seating up to 40, the theatre welcomes over 12,000 visitors a year. 

Historically the theatre operated primarily as a community venue and receiving house, hosting visiting productions and supporting local amateur performance. In recent years, however, under the stewardship of current Artistic Director Nikki Genner (on behalf of Collective Imagination), the organisation has undergone a significant period of development. During this time the theatre has strengthened its financial stability, expanded its artistic programme and established itself increasingly as a producing theatre, building a growing reputation for ambitious, artist-led work.

Alongside this evolution, Theatre on the Steps has developed a clear and structured talent pipeline, supporting artists at multiple stages of their creative journeys. This includes a youth theatre programme, a community company providing (free) opportunities for local participants to engage in performance, and Beyond the Steps, an initiative supporting artists who are either returning to professional practice or taking their first steps into professional theatre-making. Lastly, Aethelflæd Theatre Company produces professional work acting as the primary professional artistic vehicle.

As one of the few producing theatres in rural Shropshire, Theatre on the Steps now plays an increasingly important role in supporting creative activity within the region.

LET'S ALL SING

Community Choir

Let's All Sing is a Not for Profit Community Choir for adults based in Redditch, Worcestershire.

A friendly and informal group, Let's All Sing meet weekly on Wednesday's 7.30-9.30pm at St Peter's Church Hall, Ipsley, Redditch.

Sessions aim to reduce isolation, improve mental health and wellbeing and instil a lifelong love for singing.

The choir perform at concerts and events throughout the year and also take part in local art projects and campaigns. The choir currently has over 40 members and are currently open to new members.

For example previously the group performed at The Palace Theatre in Hand in Hand for Ukraine, a revue to fundraise for the humanitarian crisis. Elsewhere, the choir co-created two artworks as part of the Now We're Talking With Art trail in Redditch. The campaign spread positivity, highlighted mental health support and encouraged people to get out, exercise and support local businesses too.

PREVIOUS PROJECTS INCLUDE

ART TRACK:

Metro Art Programme

In partnership with Dudley Council,  we led project managment and community engagement of Art Track: Metro Art Programme

This pilot project (2021-23, budget over £100K) created a programme of designs for public art commissions and hosted a series of public engagement events and activities for the new Wednesbury to Brierley Hill Metro extension.

Working with artists and communities Art Track stimulated the public imagination in the expanded practice of public art in the context of regeneration and development.  It commissioned over 35 artists & produced a site specific exhibition of artist proposals in Summer 2022 which was displayed in the Churchill Shopping Centre.

Art Track developed ‘Diversity in Design’ events which aimed to cultivate an environment for improved advocacy and broader representation of art in the public realm.

Image - Dudley Futures Exhibition Launch

Artists with Dudley Mayor Cllr Greenaway

Photo credit: Stewart Writtle