Get Involved...
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The show doesn't stop when the curtain comes down... in fact, the party has just begun.
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We're obsessive about talent development. We want to cultivate Greater Manchester as a hub of LGBTQ+ creative and cultural excellence and we’re passionate about developing LGBTQ+ creatives, producers and backstage crew through our programme First Dibs.
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We also love our community. Through workshops, exhibitions, debates, short films, mentorship schemes and post-show events, we seek to improve LGBTQ+ community cohesion by bringing different people together through creative collaboration.
LGBTQ+ Inclusive Creative Talent Development
We're not saying it's an exclusive club, but you've got to be on the list be in the know about our opportunities.
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Being in the database has other benefits - we'll forward opportunities from our partners, and offer free tickets to shows, workshops and networking events too.​
Find out more about each strand of the programme below
Supported by
Accessibility
If you have any access needs please email hello@dibbytheatre.org - we're a friendly bunch and we'll do our very best to make you feel supported and welcome.
1 hour 1-2-1 drop-in Surgery sessions
Are you an LGBTQ+ freelance theatre creative or majority LGBTQ-led start-up or collective in Greater Manchester? Feel like your career is treading water? Unsure of the next step to make your next project a reality?
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Our Link Up 1-2-1 surgery sessions offer an opportunity for LGBTQ+ creatives, producers, and backstage crew to brush up their CV, or portfolio, create an action plan for a project, or set some career goals with a professional mentor.
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You can meet us in person or complete your 1 hour session online, oh, and did we mention… it's completely free to access? We'll even cover the cost of public transport in Greater Manchester!
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Next Link Up Sessions:
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TUES 4 Dec - NATHANIEL J HALL (SOLD OUT)
TUES 16 DEC - LAUREN TOWNSEND
GUEST MENTOR: LAUREN TOWNSEND
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Lauren is an independent creative producer based in Doncaster, working across subsidised and commercial theatre, live events, short film, and digital media. She has collaborated with Factory International, The Royal Shakespeare Company, Sheffield Theatres, and Leeds Playhouse on productions including Life of Pi, Standing At The Sky's Edge and Hamlet Hail to the Thief.
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She is Co-Artistic Director of Mad Friday Productions, championing new writing from Northern, neurodiverse, and women-led teams. Their debut production Children of the Night was shortlisted for The 2023 Women's Prize for Playwriting and New Diorama's 2024 Untapped Award.
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Lauren is recipient of the Stage One 2025 Bursary and participated in their 2024 New York Producers Exchange, expanding her producing interests to Broadway and Off-Broadway opportunities.
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Lauren provides guidance to early career producers in building relationships with arts organisations, navigating funding applications and partnerships, pitching your work, finding and collaborating with creative teams, dealing with agents and building national networks from a Northern base.
GLOW UP 2025 PARTICIPANTS ANNOUNCED
We're excited to announce our 2025 Glow Up Participants!
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Glow Up Your Creative Career offers 3 LGBTQ+ freelance theatre creatives in Greater Manchester the opportunity to 'glow up' an essential part of their creative career across a paid 6-day self-directed residency.
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Successful applicants receive 6 days payment (£1k fee), 3 days mentorship and up to £250 to cover essential resources and expenses.​
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This year we're delighted to have the following creatives in our Glow Up programme:​
Your Creative
Career
AMIR
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A multidisciplinary storyteller whose work blends humour, heart, and social insight. They create pieces that explore identity, belonging, and the quiet absurdities of modern life.
Drawing from lived experience and community collaboration, their projects often give voice to those rarely heard, finding warmth and wit in the most complex subjects.
Haley Yiu
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Haley Yiu is a queer theatre-maker from Hong Kong who aspires to be a lighting designer.
Lighting credits Include: Birdwatching (UK Tour), Jurassic (Soho Theatre, London; Martin Harris Centre, Manchester), For The Love Of Jazz (Longmore Theatre, Manchester), Before Night Falls (Teatro Libero, Palermo Italy), The Company of Wolves (New Vic Theatre).​
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Robyn Saunders (aka Robin Reeds)
Robyn Saunders (aka Robin Reeds) is a musical director and creator of the drag cabaret show High Heels & Bass Squeals. Robyn’s work explores the intersection between classical music, dance and drag artistry.
They then use this interdisciplinary art form to raise awareness of socio-political issues affecting the LGBT+ community.
Workshops
New workshop series for autumn 2025
Developing a sustainable arts business, collective or individual career can be a challenge. Taking time to interrogate your practice, learn new skills, and make strategic plans is essential. Give your career or arts business a Glow Up this autumn with our workshop series aimed at supporting more sustainable careers in the arts.
The Programme (scroll down for full details on each session)
Thursday 30 October - Workshop 1
Vision, Values and Strategy: Setting goals and planning for success with Nathaniel J Hall, Artistic Director of Dibby Theatre
Thursday 13 November - Workshop 2
Where to start? Project planning with Ross Carey, Producer of Dibby Theatre
Thursday 27 November - Workshop 3
How do I make money? A crash course in fundraising with Sarah Emmott, Creative Director, of Art With Heart
Where
All sessions will be delivered online (zoom). You can attend one, two, or all three of the sessions. Sessions will not be recorded.
Time
10am – 1pm
​GLOW UP WORKSHOP - TESTIMONIAL​
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"I came away feeling inspired, motivated, and eager to put learnings into practice, both personally and in my role within an arts organisation. It was great to be joined by fellow LGBTQ+ creatives in a welcoming and supportive workshop.
"Nathaniel was happy to answer questions, share useful insights and first-hand learnings and ensured participants understood what was being discussed. What a great start to the Glow Up series of workshops! Thank you.”
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ZAK BRETHERTON - DESIGN AND MARKETING OFFICER / EQUALITY, DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION LEAD AT THE OLD COURTS
​How do I make money? A crash course in fundraising with Sarah emmott
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THURSDAY 27 NOVEMBER
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Sarah is Art with Heart’s lead fundraiser and has been arts fundraising for over a decade. She has raised significant funds in all the ways she will be covering in the workshop. Sarah is an open, honest facilitator who will give you practical tips, help build your confidence and use the time as effectively as possible. This workshop will cover:
Trusts and Foundations
Building your own crib sheet
Arts Council Project Grants
Crowdfunding
This workshop will be an overview of these four ways of funding with practical skills that you can immediately apply.
Who is it for?
Producers, early career artists, people who have never applied for funding, or people who have had a couple of successful bids. Having a project in the pipeline is useful, but not essential. Beginners to mid-stage.
How will it run?
Sarah will only be sharing her screen when necessary. The session will be online, but participants can choose to turn off their cameras during sections to alleviate online fatigue.
A place to connect, network and socialise
Are you an LGBTQ+ freelance theatre maker or majority LGBTQ-led start up or collective in Greater Manchester? Feeling isolated by freelance life? Want to connect, network and socialise with other like-minded LGBTQ+ people?
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Our Get Togethers are a place for LGBTQ+ freelance creatives, producers and backstage crew at all career stages to connect, network and socialise.
We'll provide structured discussions and workshops, free food and even free tickets to see a show after the event… and we'll cover the cost of public transport within Greater Manchester.
Our next Get Together:
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​Tues 28 Nov - 1 DEC At HOMe
(+free tix to see 'BREAKING THE CODE')
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Booking opens soon
Community Outreach
CommunIty-led creative outreach programmes
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