20 Stories High - Additional Company Background Information This document includes a range of information that we believe candidates may be interested in and find useful in preparing applications. If you would like any further information about the organisation then please feel free to contact us on 0151 708 9728 or on recruitment@20storieshigh.org.uk Vision, Mission, Aims and Values Our Vision A world where culturally diverse, working-class, Deaf, disabled, neurodivergent, LGBTIQA+ young people and communities are equally valued, seen and heard by the most diverse audience possible. Our Mission To make theatre and creative projects with, and for, underrepresented young people/young adults, emerging artists and world class professionals. To create bold, heartfelt, and unique theatre experiences that enable social change. To collaborate with young people & young adults to develop the stories they want to tell through the artforms they own and want to see. Our Strategic Aims 1. To offer excellent participatory experiences allowing access for all. 2. To train, develop and collaborate with the next generation of theatre makers and artists. 3. To produce and tour new theatre and shows, for diverse audiences – locally, nationally and internationally, in a variety of imaginative community spaces and venues. Our Values 20 Stories High value Equity, Wellbeing and Activism. We believe that: “everybody’s got a story to tell and their own way of telling it...” Staff Roles Board of Trustees 20 Stories High is governed by a Board of Trustees that is currently made up of 11 members drawn from across the arts & culture, public sector and private sector organisations. The current Chair of the Board is Catrina Hewitson. Artistic Director & Co-CEO (Keith Saha) Responsible for curating an exciting programme of work, rooted in cultural diversity and social inclusion, which will engage audiences aged 13 – 30. As co-CEO the Artistic Director shares responsibility for the delivery and development of the company’s artistic vision and is accountable for the successful leadership and running of the organisation. They report to the Board. Executive Director & Co-CEO (Leanne Jones) Responsible for the smooth running of the organisation as a whole, with lead responsibility for setting annual budgets and for overseeing income generation, financial reporting and legal compliance. As co-CEO the Executive Director shares responsibility for the delivery and development of the company’s artistic vision and is accountable for the successful leadership and running of the organisation. They report to the Board. Associate Director (Paislie Reid) The Associate Director leads on all strands of the company’s engagement work, including Youth Theatre productions, the Community Company, outreach activity and key participation projects. They report to the Artistic Director/Co-CEO. General Manager (David Morgan) Responsible for day-to-day financial management and book-keeping, along with HR, Health & Safety and legal compliance. The General Manager reports to the Executive Director/Co-CEO. Administrator (Amy Thompson) The Administrator is responsible for the administration of 20 Stories High and works in collaboration with the General Manager in the running of the organisation’s finance, HR and Health & Safety systems. They also support the programme team in delivery of the programme and support the smooth running of the organisation. They report to the General Manager. Executive Producer (Lucy Graham) The Executive Producer shares the responsibility for the development and delivery of the company’s business plan. They provide internal leadership for the company and its spectrum of projects and are an important external face of the company, developing partnerships which allow 20 Stories High to thrive. They report to the Executive Director/Co-CEO. Assistant Producer (Leonisha Barley) The Assistant Producer is part of the producing team alongside the Executive Producer and Executive Director, responsible for the planning and co-ordination of all projects across the 20 Stories High programme. The Assistant Producer’s role is to work closely with the producing team to support with all aspects of project delivery. The Assistant Producer also works closely with the Administrator and Communications & Campaigns Co-ordinator on general administrative and marketing tasks. They report to the Executive Producer. Youth Worker (Donna Coleman) The Youth Worker empowers and encourages young people in participation sessions and decision-making within the organisation. They offer advice, information and guidance to young people. They contribute to the monitoring and evaluation systems of the organisation and support the recruitment and retention of young people to 20 Stories High’s participation programme. They report to the Executive Producer. Communications & Campaigns Co-ordinator (Maisy Gordon) The Communications & Campaigns Co-ordinator takes the lead on 20 Stories High’s communications strategy, ensuring effective and appropriate communication across all platforms, working closely with the Executive team. They are also responsible for driving the company’s public-facing campaigning activity, particularly with regards to our Access Manifesto. They report to the Executive Producer. Freelance Associates 20 Stories High currently collaborates with two freelance associates. The Development Associate (Rob Shaw) focusses on external fundraising, particularly from charitable Trusts & Foundations and from individual giving. The New Chapter Associate (Lee Corner) works with us to facilitate discussions around business development, strategic planning and organisational culture. The key point of contact for both roles is the Executive Director/Co-CEO. Financial Background & Programme Performance 20 Stories High is a Company Limited by Guarantee and a Registered Charity. In 2024/25 the organisation had a total turnover of £588,000. As of 31.03.25 the company held total reserves of £191,000, of which £38,500 was made up of Restricted Reserves. Engagement in 2024-25 In 2024/25 20 Stories High: * Delivered 254 engagement sessions with 3,547 participants * Delivered 66 events to a total audience of 4,041, including the Autumn 2024 tour of ‘Who the F*** is Shakespeare?’ and the spring tour of our Actors Lab shows ‘My big brother Sammy’ and ‘Smiles’ * Worked with 45 creatives across our programme Supporting Strands 20 Stories High operates several strands of support work which underpin our artistic programme and the way in which we work as a company. They include: State of Mind – Wellbeing in everything we do Since 2018 20 Stories High have been funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation to explore how we place mental health and wellbeing at the heart of the company and what it means for the young people, audiences and artists that we work with. The State of Mind philosophy is fully embedded in our culture and we continue to learn and grow through sharing practices with other organisations. 20 Stories High received an OFFIES One Off Special Award for our ‘Commitment to care for all’ as part of the State of Mind project. POWER UP – Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Activism 20 Stories High have always been activists and advocates for diversity, equity and inclusion. Although we are a culturally diverse organisation – in terms of participants, audiences, artists, staff team and Board - we know that there is always more to learn. This means learning, listening and growing as a company, as well as sharing practice, working in partnership with others and speaking truth to power. POWER UP is a pillar of 20 Stories High, which explores how we can all do better together and how we can be more inclusive practitioners in the arts. Awards Over the past twenty years, our work has been widely recognised with a series of national and international awards. * 2010 – Brian Way Award for the UK’s Best Play for Young People (for Blackberry Trout Face by Laurence Wilson) * 2011 – Brian Way Award for the UK’s Best Play for Young People (for Ghost Boy by Keith Saha) * 2013 – Writers’ Guild of Great Britain Best Play for Young People (for Whole by Philip Osment) * 2016 – ASSITEJ Festival of Theatre Young Critics Award (for The Broke ‘N’ Beat Collective) * 2016 – National Theatre’s Jenny Harris Award (in recognition of 20 Stories High’s work with young people in theatre) * 2021 – Stage 100 Award to AD Keith Saha for the pandemic (for Knocking On by Keith Saha and Brodie Arthur) * 2021 – Achates Philanthropy Prize – National Showcase Organisation (recognising community philanthropy, with a special mention for the production Knocking On) * 2022 – OnComm Award (Offies) Recorded (Direct) Prize (for TOUCHY) * 2024 – OFFIE Award for “Access” (for High Times and Dirty Monsters by Keith Saha) * 2024 – OFFIE One-off Special Award for our “Commitment to Care for All”