Future of Theatre Conference 2026
April 28, 2026
09:00 - 18:00
Soho Theatre, Walthamstow
UK’s most exciting and inclusive theatre conference is returning
Future of Theatre early bird tickets now available
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 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.
In 2023, for the first time ever, Future of Theatre was delivered in person at the Royal Central School of Speech & Drama. In 2024, Future of Theatre moved to @sohoplace, London where over 300 theatremakers gathered in person with hundreds of delegates also having online access. For 2026, Future of Theatre heads to award winning venue, Soho Theatre Walthamstow for the first time.
You can view the 2025 programme here .
Future of Theatre won Event of the Year at the PPA Independent Publishers Awards.
When is Future of Theatre?
- Future of Theatre conference
- Tuesday, April 28
- Soho Theatre, 186 Hoe St, Walthamstow E17 4QH
- 9am - 6pm (including a networking drinks reception)
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, 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.
2025 SpeakersView All
Matt Hemley
Sita McIntosh
Lilac Yosiphon
Headline SponsorView All
SponsorsView All
Meet the inspiring speakers who are joining us at the Future of Theatre conference.
2025 Speakers
Matt Hemley
Sita McIntosh
Megan Prescott
Lilac Yosiphon
Headline Sponsor
Sponsors
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 is Future of Theatre 2026?
- Future of Theatre conference
- Tuesday, April 28
- Soho Theatre, Walthamstow, E17 4QH
- 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,.
- 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 Soho Theatre Walthamstow.
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, contact Sales manager sarah.dumay@thestage.co.uk
About our sponsors
Moore Kingston Smith
headline sponsor
Moore Kingston Smith are the go-to accountants and advisers for theatre, both West End and regional, and hub for Broadway producers transferring shows to the UK. The specialist team is immersed in the sector, delivering advice tailored to the unique demands of the industry.
Moore Kingston Smith are experts in theatre tax credits and have been involved right from the start, working with the industry to design a scheme that has become a vital part of the funding mix. With the team exclusively working in the sector, they fully understand the pressure points of production and can help, not only with tax credits, but also with accounts, tax structuring, payroll, furlough queries and business strategy.
Arts Council England
ACE are the national development agency for creativity and culture. We have set out our
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.
Preevue
Preevue is a leading provider of LiDAR laser scanning and 3D CAD visualisation for theatre, live events, and media & entertainment.
Their services include laser scanning, the creation of 3D Digital Twins, theatre production visualisation, and bespoke box office views-from-seats. Preevue produce architecturally and visually accurate 3D CAD models of venues and set designs that enable creative and production teams to work in digital replicas, minimising time needed on-site and reducing the need for travel.
Preevue clients include ATG, LW Theatres, Delfont Mackintosh Theatres, the Royal Opera House, Disney, the National Theatre, Barbican Centre, the RSC, and English National Opera. Outside of theatre, media & entertainment clients include NBCUniversal, Paramount and Disney.
Rocket Storage Services
StaffSavvy
Regardless of whether you are managing a team of 50 or 5000, StaffSavvy has the tools to create & manage your team’s shifts easily.
We’ve built the platform with real-world experience, working with some of the world's busiest venues. Whether you have a 100-seat auditorium or a multi-site network with thousands of seats, we can help you automate and digitise your schedules, payroll, and much more.
Our software combines recruitment management, HR tools, document management, learning management, online training, shift planning, compliance tools, timesheets, communication tools, and more on one platform.
Theatreplan
For 40 years, Theatreplan has been creating amazing spaces worldwide, allowing performances to flourish at every scale, from international opera houses to studio theatres. Through their dedicated team of friendly, expert practitioners, they ensure that projects are seen through to completion with a pragmatic and cost-aware approach, focusing on high quality, safety, and usability. Recent projects include the redevelopments of the newly opened Fareham Live, Citizens Theatre, Glasgow, which opens later this year, and Esplanade Theatres-on-the-Bay in Singapore. They are the consultants of choice for some of the world's leading venues, including Sydney Opera House, where they undertake complex technical upgrades which prioritise sustainability and innovative design.
