More

Opinion & Advice

Promoted Content

The Stage Archive

West End

Musical Theatre

Backstage & Technical

Obituaries & Archive

Opera

Dance

Awards

Jobs & Auditions

Training & Drama Schools

Hot Topics

Broadway & International

Acting & Performance

Edinburgh Fringe

Shakespeare

Pantomime

Sarah Brigham

“The beer in the bar is just as important as the designer of a production”

Big InterviewsFeb 11, 2021Artistic director and chief executive

Seven years ago, Sarah Brigham took on the role of artistic director at Derby Theatre, changing its fortunes and championing an approach that placed community at the heart of the venue’s mission. She tells Lyn Gardner about the benefits of being a smaller, ‘more human’ venue in theatre’s ecosystem and why her early experiences in theatre continue to inform her practice

To continue reading this article you must be logged in

Register or login to unlock 3 free articles every month
Or subscribe for unlimited access

More on this topic

Nicole Raquel Dennis to lead cast of Dreamgirls on tour

Nicole Raquel Dennis to lead cast of Dreamgirls on tour

Production News by Matthew Hemley

Samantha Womack joins The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe tour

Samantha Womack joins The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe tour

Production News by Georgia Snow

New free performance database aims to diversify UK touring circuit

New free performance database aims to diversify UK touring circuit

News by Giverny Masso

Musicians’ Union in row with English Touring Opera over ‘sacking’ of freelancers

Musicians’ Union in row with English Touring Opera over ‘sacking’ of freelancers

News by Giverny Masso

More about this person

Coronavirus: Programming could become less adventurous, artistic directors warn

Coronavirus: Programming could become less adventurous, artistic directors warn

News by Georgia Snow

More about this organisation

Leeds Playhouse among partners announced for Sphinx Theatre writing programme

Leeds Playhouse among partners announced for Sphinx Theatre writing programme

News by Giverny Masso

Coronavirus: Programming could become less adventurous, artistic directors warn

Coronavirus: Programming could become less adventurous, artistic directors warn

News by Georgia Snow

Crisis survival: finding the cash to keep UK venues in business

Crisis survival: finding the cash to keep UK venues in business

Features by Tim Bano

The Stage 100 2020: 61-70

The Stage 100 2020: 61-70

Features by The Stage

Big Interviews

Latest
Most Read

Tamara Rojo

“Playing outrageous women liberated me”

Tamara Rojo

Artistic director, English National Ballet

Rob Ashford

“My style is storytelling”

Rob Ashford

Frozen the Musical choreographer Rob Ashford

Fergus Linehan

“You need to be sympathetic to both the audience and the artist in this job”

Fergus Linehan

Edinburgh International Festival director

Adrian Lester

“As an artist, you have to promote the kind of work you want to see”

Adrian Lester

Actor and director

Sutton Foster

“I know who I am, what I stand for and I look forward to bringing theatre back”

Sutton Foster

Performer

Sutton Foster

“I know who I am, what I stand for and I look forward to bringing theatre back”

Sutton Foster

Performer

Carrie Hope Fletcher

“If our industry is worthless, turn off Netflix”

Carrie Hope Fletcher

Actor

Julian Bird

“Our place in the world is at risk. It’s as grave as that”

Julian Bird

Chief executive, Society of London Theatre/UK Theatre

Sarah Frankcom

“Change doesn’t happen through talking, it happens by doing”

Sarah Frankcom

Director

Adam Cooper

“I wasn’t a typical ballet figure – I always felt I had to prove myself”

Adam Cooper

Dancer

Recommended for you

Nicole Raquel Dennis to lead cast of Dreamgirls on tour

Nicole Raquel Dennis to lead cast of Dreamgirls on tour

Production News by Matthew Hemley

Samantha Womack joins The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe tour

Samantha Womack joins The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe tour

Production News by Georgia Snow

New free performance database aims to diversify UK touring circuit

New free performance database aims to diversify UK touring circuit

News by Giverny Masso

Musicians’ Union in row with English Touring Opera over ‘sacking’ of freelancers

Musicians’ Union in row with English Touring Opera over ‘sacking’ of freelancers

News by Giverny Masso

Opinion

Theatre's return offers the chance to reconnect to the magic of shared experiences

Theatre's return offers the chance to reconnect to the magic of shared experiences

by Richard Jordan

Zoom story: Working with global artists is a joy, but do think ahead

Zoom story: Working with global artists is a joy, but do think ahead

by Rachael Savage

Drama schools need to be able to learn from LAMDA’s mistakes

Drama schools need to be able to learn from LAMDA’s mistakes

by Alistair Smith

Jane Austen goes pop? Why not – it's a marriage that adds up

Jane Austen goes pop? Why not – it's a marriage that adds up

by David Benedict

Most Read

Across The Stage this week

Sarah Frankcom breaks silence in first statement since LAMDA departure

LAMDA inquiry into Sarah Frankcom complaints finds 'serious breakdown of relations'

Back to the Future the Musical

Nadine Dorries to replace Oliver Dowden as culture secretary

Everybody's Talking About Jamie

Gregory Doran temporarily steps down from RSC to care for terminally ill Antony Sher

Back to the Future the Musical at London's Adelphi Theatre – review round-up

Singular error: why the concept of the ‘visionary director’ needs revision

Mugabe, My Dad and Me

ACE to focus on 54 ‘priority places’ in bid to rebalance arts investment

Your subscription helps ensure our journalism can continue

Invest in The Stage today with a subscription starting at just £3.98

Newspaper

Opinion & Advice

More

Get Into Theatre

Info

Advertising Enquiries

Awards

The Stage Awards

The Stage Debut Awards

The Stage Edinburgh Awards

Legal

Terms and conditions

Advertising terms and conditions

Contributor agreement

Digital

Digital Editions

Subscribe

Subscribe

Start a subscription today from just £3.98

© Copyright The Stage Media Company Limited 2021