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At a time of increasing polarisation, how can we create better civic discourse? Could the theatre be a useful place for hard conversations? 

Historically and today, theatre serves as a rare space where people from different social, cultural and political backgrounds can reflect on shared human struggles, bridging economic and ideological divides. Unlike digital spaces, theatre requires a physical, communal presence where audiences and performers engage in a "live, shared experience". What might this space allow us to say – both to ourselves and to each other? 

This session is for you if you are a researcher, policymaker, campaigner, theatre-maker, theatre-goer, NGO worker, or interested member of the public who would like to learn about the history and future of the theatre as a space for public dialogue.

Maybe you would like to learn new avenues for outreach and public engagement: you would like to share your research in public spaces but don’t know where to start. Maybe you’re a creative interested in extending your performance work into big ideas exchange?

 You would like to ask practical questions from people who’ve done this before: how do you bring in an audience? How do you advertise effectively? How do you ‘pitch’ your event?

How do you generate effective and respectful audience dialogue? 
Come and meet the experts: come and meet each other.

You are welcome (but not obliged) to think in advance about practical and theoretical questions you might want to pose to the experienced panellists – what would you like to know about using the theatre for public discussions of research, policy, or community work? What knowledge would help you to use the theatre in your own future events?