We’re hosting a day-long symposium on the 3rd November in Liverpool Everyman Theatre to explore how the “culture” of creating theatre can be changed by prioritising mental health and wellbeing.
This event marks the end of a four-year funding period. From 2018-2022, we were funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation to explore how, as an arts organisation, we put mental health and wellbeing at the heart of the company.
Through workshops, talks, and live performances, we want to share their learnings, the practices we’ve gained, and open up a space to keep the conversation going.
Featuring workshops delivered by various theatremakers, creatives, and young people that 20 Stories High have been working with, the ‘State of Mind Symposium’ is welcoming freelancers, arts organisations, and anyone who is invested in wellbeing to join us.
Everyone who attends will be able to choose which workshops they want to join. Whether guests want to know more about supporting young people or how theatre companies can look after audiences, the workshops promise to spark conversations.
The workshop line-up includes Lou Platt, Artist Wellbeing Practitioner, Paislie Reid, performer and theatre maker who recently performed in the Storyhouse’s summer season, and Kofi Owusu, filmmaker and multi-hyphenate rapper, among experts from the arts world and beyond.
The day will culminate in a living version of State of Mind, namely our live show TOUCHY + ANTHOLOGY, a double bill of Live Music, Hip Hop, film, and poetry, from Liverpool’s finest in the form of award-winning short films and electrifying live performances.
The performance is an example of what theatre looks and feels like when wellbeing is embedded in the heart of the work.
“It’s really important to us that this event is open and accessible, as well as inspiring us all to put wellbeing into everything we do. We are by no means the first nor the only ones talking about this. So, the Symposium is a chance for us to share some of the practices that have worked for us and for us to learn from each other and learn from everyone who joins us for a boss day of conversations!”
Explains Leanne Jones, Executive Director and Co-CEO at 20 Stories High.
“The arts world is at its best when we embrace the natural diversity of us all. That’s why we are removing as many barriers as possible that might stop someone from being able to share their experience. For instance, the whole Symposium will be BSL-interpreted for in-person attendees and virtual attendance is available for anyone who would benefit from attending remotely, with automatic captions.”
Adds Keith Saha, Artistic Director and Co-CEO.
Tickets for the event have been listed as ‘pay what you can’ and are free for freelancers. Suggested prices for people who are part of small-to-medium organisation are suggested £15-20 per person, and £20-30 for larger organisations.
You can buy your tickets on the Everyman website!
Catering will be provided by local business Fozia’s Kashmiri Kitchen and will be vegetarian and vegan, in line with our commitment to environmentally-conscious choices.
