Future of Theatre Conference 2025
April 30, 2025
09:00 - 18:00
The UK’s most exciting and inclusive theatre conference has set the agenda for 2025!
Future of Theatre conference, in association with Moore Kingston Smith, returned to @sohoplace on Wednesday, April 30. Co-programmed by The Stage’s deputy editor Matt Hemley, and cultural policy & research consultant Amanda Parker, this agenda-setting conference provided insights on the theme of survival.
You can read the coverage from this year’s conference now, featuring trailblazing speakers such as Harry and Meghan’s award-winning lawyer, Jenny Afia, and one of the country’s leading PR experts, Mark Borkowski. And after panellists tackled issues such as free speech, crisis management, and alternative funding, and expertise was shared from founder of ATG and co-founder of Trafalgar Entertainment, Dame Rosemary Squire, and the National Theatre’s director Indhu Rubasingham - it’s clear the future is theatre is now.
And that’s not all - The Big Idea winner for 2025 was crowned from a cohort of finalists who proposed some seriously big ideas to shake up the sector.
The conference was BSL interpreted using theatre specific interpreters. To learn more about accessibility at Future of Theatre, click here.
Grace Lewis
Awards Step
Attendees said:
"The Stage's Future of Theatre conference created such an electric energy. In the room, you could feel the excitement, optimism, and passion from all delegates during panel discussions and in the breaks. The Stage created a great space to keep the conversation going."
"I attended online with one of the Arts Council funded tickets; I found the unity of the speakers, audience and online attendees to be inspiring. As a freelancer you can feel isolated at times from the industry, but this conference really bridged the gap and empowered me to reach out to the speakers I wanted to connect with!"
"The Stage Conference provided a helpful moment to listen and contemplate the current state of the sector. The speakers were provocative and informative and the interactive moment as we chose the best Big Idea was fun. It's healthy to step outside the intensity of running an arts organisation and connect with other theatre people."
What can I expect from this conference?
Community
Come together with the wider industry to share in a conversation and reflect on what works well, what could be better and the practical ways theatremakers and organisations can move towards a more successful, creative and resilient future.
Challenge
Be challenged about why theatre operates the way it does and engage in discussions about what the future could and should look like, and what practical steps we can take to make that change happen.
Leadership
Hear directly from leaders from across the industry to discover their thoughts on subjects including: ticket pricing, financing shows, running buildings, maintaining and developing the workforce and reaching new audiences and communities.
Education and hope
Find out about the latest innovations, best practice and how theatremakers are continuing to thrive, despite the huge challenges they face. Get inspired and pick up practical tips that can be translated and implemented in your own work.
Get Involved
Support the Future of Theatre
Showcase your brand and expertise alongside key industry figures from across the arts industry by becoming a sponsor.
To find out more about how your company can support the future of our industry, you can view the media pack here or contact Sales manager sarah.dumay@thestage.co.uk
Be part of the discussion
Share your thoughts with us using #FutureOfTheatre.
Don't forget to tag @TheStage so we can share your messages.
Got a question?
For all media and event enquiries contact events@thestage.co.uk
Featured news
Hiatus of plays by white men among Big Ideas at Future of Theatre conference
Live AI translation of performances and a new arts bank are among the Big Ideas to be proposed at The Stage’s Future of Theatre conference. Read the full article here.
Rosemary Squire named as second keynote speaker for Future of Theatre conference
As co-founder of ATG Entertainment and Trafalgar Entertainment, Squire's speech will be delivered against a backdrop of rapid growth for the latter. Read the article in full here.
Indhu Rubasingham to deliver keynote at The Stage’s Future of Theatre conference
The director designate of the National Theatre will speak at this year’s April 30 symposium at @sohoplace, exploring the theme of “survival”. Read the article in full here.
‘Free tickets for freelancers’ scheme doubled for The Stage's Future of Theatre
Thanks to support from Arts Council England, the Freelancer Scheme gives freelancers access to one of 400 subsidised digital tickets plus 20 in-person seats. Read the article in full here.
SpeakersView All
Matt Hemley
Sita McIntosh
Lilac Yosiphon
Headline SponsorView All
2025 SponsorsView All
SupportersView All
Meet the inspiring speakers who are joining us at the Future of Theatre conference.
Speakers
Matt Hemley
Sita McIntosh
Amanda Parker
Megan Prescott
Lilac Yosiphon
Headline Sponsor
2025 Sponsors
Supporters
About
What is Future of Theatre?
Future of Theatre is an award-winning conference for the entire theatre sector. The conference brings theatre professionals from across the world together and provides a platform to have vital conversations, reflect, share ideas and challenge the way things have previously been done in order to build a stronger theatre sector. Future of Theatre 2021 was the first of its kind to bring the entire theatre sector together since the start of the pandemic, with over 700 attendees online from over 21 countries.
Since then, the event has continued to grow - offering an extravaganza of keynotes, presentations and panel discussions featuring the industry’s most influential voices, including Andrew Lloyd Webber, Nica Burns, Matthew Xia, Nancy Medina, Paule Constable, Amy Trigg and Athena Stevens. Last year’s conference was held at @sohoplace, London where over 300 theatremakers gathered in person with hundreds of delegates also having online access.
You can view the 2024 programme here, and the 2025 programme here.
Future of Theatre won Event of the Year at the PPA Independent Publishers Awards.
When was Future of Theatre 2025?
- Future of Theatre conference
- Wednesday, April 30
- @sohoplace, 4 Soho Pl, Charing Cross Rd, London W1D 3BG
- 9am - 6pm (including a networking drinks reception)
Accessibility
At The Stage, we aim to make all of our events as accessible as possible. An access host can be assigned to you to ensure you are comfortable and have a clear point of contact throughout the day. To request this, or if there is any further assistance you need, please do make us aware by emailing events@thestage.co.uk.
- We know that conferences can require a lot of focus, and so our delegates are welcome to use the foyer areas on each level should you need a break. If you want to stretch your legs, please feel free to leave and re-enter the auditorium as you need.
- The conference will be BSL interpreted, using theatre specific interpreters.
- There is lift access to each level of the theatre.
- There is a unisex adaptable toilet on each level of the theatre. There are Ladies and Gentleman’s toilets on all levels, except the Stalls.
- For information about disabled parking in Westminster please visit www.parkingforbluebadges.com or visit the Q-Park website here.
- Guide dogs and hearing dogs are welcome and for comfort, we recommend sitting on the end of a row. We ask that you make us aware if you’re bringing a guide dog, at the time of making your booking.
For further details about the venue, you can visit the accessibility page for @sohoplace.
Showcase your brand
The Future of Theatre conference, in association with Moore Kingston Smith, could not happen without the generous support from our sponsors.
Spotlight your organisation and expertise alongside key industry figures from across the arts industry by becoming a sponsor.
To find out more about how your company can support the future of our industry, view the media pack here or contact Sales manager sarah.dumay@thestage.co.uk
About our sponsors
Bectu
Bectu is the union for creative ambition and a sector of Prospect trade union. We represent nearly 40,000 staff, contract and freelance workers in the media and entertainment industries. We have responded to the changes of an increasingly self-employed workforce and are the UK’s largest union for freelancers. Our members work in non-performance roles in live events, broadcasting, film and cinema, digital media, independent production, leisure, fashion, theatre and the arts. As the largest union at the BBC, and with a strong presence in many of the UK’s leading theatres, arts centres and independent broadcasting and production companies, Bectu is here for you at every step of your career – whether you’re a staff member, worker or are self-employed.
LAMDA
LAMDA – the London Academy of Music & Dramatic Art – is the oldest drama school in the UK and a pioneering conservatoire offering exceptional vocational training through full-time and short courses. It was ranked number one in The Guardian’s UK Universities Guide for Drama and Dance and as one of the top 10 global drama schools in The Hollywood Reporter. LAMDA's history with organisations like the Fulbright Scholarship have long made it a beacon for international training. Notable alumni include actors Benedict Cumberbatch, Leah Harvey and Brian Cox, directors Rebecca Frecknall and Tinuke Craig, and technical practitioners Natasha Chivers and Tingying Dong.
Gallery
GALLERY
Future of Theatre conference 2024 - @sohoplace
Thangam Debbonaire speaking at Future of Theatre
Jack Maple speaking about commercial producing at Future of Theatre
Access in Action panel (Amanda Parker, Megan Merrett, Dominic Mitchell, Amy Trigg and Nica Burns) at Future of Theatre
Fehinti Balogun speaking on climate activism at Future of Theatre
Nancy Medina during her keynote speech at Future of Theatre
Delegates during a Q&A at Future of Theatre
Andrew Ladd presenting during his Big Idea at Future of Theatre
Amanda Parker speaking on stage at Future of Theatre
Delegates networking at the Future of Theatre afterparty
The Big Idea
The Big Idea
Do you have an idea that could shape the future of theatre for the better?
This is your opportunity to spotlight it at The Stage's award-winning Future of Theatre conference!
The Big Idea is an unmissable opportunity for theatremakers and professionals to pitch their theatre-specific ideas in front of industry leaders.
You can be as creative or ambitious as you like, and you don't have to have all the details ironed out. You can share a brand new idea, push for a change you want to see or share something you are already doing. Remember, no idea is too big!
Your proposal can be practical and specific (every theatre board should include at least one artist.) Alternatively, they can be technological such as a new product; or they can be systemic and all-encompassing (job-shares should be commonplace in theatres.)
In 2025, Rob Myles won for his proposal for creating a "devolved, national, repertory network of theatres", as voted by our delegates.
Previous Big Ideas
Watch 2025’s finalists present their Big Ideas below, with pitches covering funding, education, digital innovation, touring, and diversity and inclusion.
How do I submit?
The Big Idea submissions for Future of Theatre 2025 are now closed and our finalists have been announced!
To enter, you will need to write a pitch (max 500 words) OR submit a 2-3 minute video explaining your Big Idea.
We encourage you to introduce your big idea clearly at the start of your 500 words or video, bring solutions and even comment on how you would develop your idea should you be able get support or funding for it.
Our event programmers will invite a selection of the best ideas to present a short (2-3 minute) presentation at the Future of Theatre conference on Wednesday, April 30, or - if you are unable to attend - submit a video presentation.
Entries closed at 12pm on Friday, April 4.
