The 20 Stories High team is overjoyed to announce that High Times and Dirty Monsters won at the Offies on Sun 25 February!

High Times and Dirty Monsters, co-produced by us, Graeae, Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse, and LEEDS 2023, was a finalist in the Access category. We were really honoured to be listed among amazing productions, and were so proud to accept this award.

Ahead of the event on Sunday, 20 Stories High was awarded the OneOff Special Award for our commitment to care for all.

A huge thanks to everyone who nominated us, supported us, and worked with us!

High Times and Dirty Monsters is now available online for free!

20 Stories High – for their commitment to care for all

20 Stories High are at the leading edge of consideration of wellbeing and self-care within the theatre industry, not only for audiences, but for workers too. Theirs is a timely and welcome local contribution that is generating blueprints for potentially changing practices universally. This narrative of wellbeing is actively enabling access for input from under-represented voices and creatives.

At the core of their ethos is the principle of care for all; challenging unacceptable norms and empowering people through new thinking, support and resources. This is key to breaking down barriers for anyone with mental or physical limitations that might otherwise inhibit their participation in the arts. They create spaces to discuss issues of mental health and wellbeing within their working practices and alongside a dedicated support of diversity.

20 Stories’ High’s productions give wide social representation. Their carefully considered works are developed to recognise and remove obstacles; to ensure people are able to engage on their own terms; to integrate disability and give visibility to minority groups. Materials and resources are made available before and after events to ensure participants are fully informed and supported around each project.

Ideas of social care and understanding are also considered at the very core of their working practices. Post-pandemic they have instituted a programme of cultural change that prioritises mental health and wellbeing in everything they do, significantly changing the way that their organisation functions. Positive behaviours and systems have been introduced which allow possibly triggering themes to be noted before they are worked with, thus enabling individuals to recognise, validate and manage personal vulnerabilities within a secure work environment.

This holistic, caring approach to theatre builds a secure foundation for diverse involvement, with positive practices that, carried forward across the industry, could open doors for a range of new participants: it deserves to be celebrated.

– From the Offies OneOff Special Award website