You can join these events via Gather Town or directly through Zoom. You will need to be logged in to Zoom to join the sessions. Sign up to our Eventbrite for all Zoom links.
Friday 25th March
10.00 – 11.00
Introduction
Introduction and overview of the Freelancers in the Dark research findings and report
Dr Josh Edelman, Manchester Metropolitan University and Freelancers in the Dark research team
11.00 – 11.15 – Break
11.15 – 12.15 – Panels
Panel 1 – Connecting through COVID: Freelancer-led support networks
Chair: Dr Ali FitzGibbon
Speakers: Fox Irving, Nicky Harley, Emma Spearing
Panel 2 – Creative Changing in Uncertain Time: Theatrical Innovation in the Pandemic
Chair: Professor Rosie Klich
Speakers: Kelly Jones, Dylan Frankland, Rosemary Jenkinson
12.15 – 12.25– Break
12.25 – 13.00 – Discussion Groups
2 discussion groups will continue the conversations from the first 2 panels
Discussion Group 1 – Connecting through COVID: Freelancer-led support networks
Discussion Group 2 – Creative Changing in Uncertain Time: Theatrical Innovation in the Pandemic
13.00 – 14.00 – Break
14.00 – 15.00 – Panels
Panel 3 – Doing the Impossible: Strategies towards Productive Working Conditions Post-COVID
Chair: Dr Josh Edelman
Speakers: Stephen Beggs, Harold Finley, Jake Murray
Panel 4 – Saying No: Self Empowerment and Self Care amongst Freelancers in the Pandemic
Chair: Dr Holly Maples
Speakers: Phoebe Rhodes, Isabel Dixon, Harry Harrington
Panel 5 – ‘We have more power than we think’: Creative Industry Lobbying Power and the Government
Chair: Dr Ali FitzGibbon
Speakers: Laura Mackenzie-Stuart, Steffan Donnelly, Fionnuala Kennedy, Trevor MacFarlane
15.00 – 15.10 – Break
15.10 – 15.45 – Discussion Groups
3 discussion groups will continue the conversations from the second 3 panels
Discussion Group 3 – Doing the Impossible: Strategies towards Productive Working Conditions Post-COVID
Discussion Group 4 – Saying No: Self Empowerment and Self Care amongst Freelancers in the Pandemic
Discussion Group 5 – ‘We have more power than we think’: Creative Industry Lobbying Power and the Government
15.45 – 16.00 – Break
16.00 – 17.00
Roundtable
Barriers to change and the new normal
Chair: Dr Kurt Taroff
Speakers: Kenya Sterling, Byron Mondahl, Laura Trevail, Clarissa Widya
From 17.00
Virtual Wine Reception
Saturday 26th March
13.00 – 14.00 – Panels
Panel 6 – What Does Diversity in the Industry Really Mean?: Access and Inclusion and Thinking beyond Tokenism
Chair: Dr Holly Maples
Speakers: Kaite O’Reilly, Lucy Sheen, Peyvand Sadeghian, Richard Foxton
Panel 7 – Can I have a life and a career?: Parenting, Caring, and the Theatre Industry
Chair: Dr Josh Edelman
Speakers: Matthew Wade, Julie Tsang, Cat Robey
14.00 – 14.15 – Break
14.15 – 15.00 – Discussion Groups
2 discussion groups continue the conversations from the first 2 panels
Discussion Group 6 – What Does Diversity in the Industry Really Mean?: Access and Inclusion and Thinking beyond Tokenism
Discussion Group 7 – Can I have a life and a career?: Parenting, Caring, and the Theatre Industry
15.00 – 15.15 – Break
15.15 – 16.15 – Panels
Panel 8 – Finding a Common Language: Bridging the gap between Freelancers and Cultural Institutions
Chair: Dr Kurt Taroff
Speakers: Graham Main, Katherina Radeva, Tomek Borkowy
Panel 9 – Freelancers in the Light: Activism and Advocacy in the time of COVID-19
Chair: Dr James Rowson
Speakers: Rachel Pedley, Tigger Blaize, Emily Tucker, Leo Wan
16.15 – 16.30 – Break
16.30 – 17.30
Roundtable
Better practices and how to fight for a radical future
Chair: Dr James Rowson
Speakers: Faynia Williams, Kaya La Bonte-Hurst, Rebecca Mordan, Mick Gordon
17.30 – 18.00
Closing Remarks
Dr Holly Maples, East 15 School of Acting, University of Essex
Freelancers in the Dark 