Taking The Stage - celebrating women in the performing arts at Milton Keynes Gallery

Taking The Stage is a four-day festival that celebrates inspirational women from theatre and the arts at Milton Keynes Gallery from 16th – 19th October.

Supported by the Arts Council, the third festival curated by The Play’s The Thing Theatre Company will empower women by putting them centre stage and shining a spotlight on female talent, their creative contributions to the industry, and their achievements.

The theatre company is a true advocate for supporting and championing all women within the arts and fighting for gender parity. This event puts women at the heart and provides an important platform for local and high-profile women from within the industry to share their stories.

With an exciting and inspiring lineup, the event will include a keynote speech from leading British playwright Winsome Pinnock, a headlining play from Suzette Coon and a conversation with Ita O'Brien, Movement Director and Intimacy Coordinator for film, television and theatre

Guests will enjoy a series of new plays written by Emma Burnell, Sian Rowland, Subika Anwar Khan, and local playwrights Carly Halse, Lisa Stenhouse, and The Play's The Thing’s Artistic Director Rosemary Hill.

Key female industry figures including Lynda Rooke (Equity President), Polly Kemp (Director of ERA 50:50 and Women in Theatre Lab), Jennifer Tuckett (Director of Women in Theatre Lab), Chloe Todd-Fordham (award-winning playwright), Judith Jacob (actor and director) and Mandy Clayfield (Performing Arts Lecturer at MK College), will host important conversations and debates on subjects such as ‘Where are we with diversity and inclusion?’ and ‘Do we tell enough LGBTQ stories in theatre?’

Committed to providing access and opportunities to the next generation of theatre makers, The Play’s the Thing continues to work with local students from Milton Keynes Theatre’s senior youth theatre who will showcase a newly devised piece.

A very exciting four days to be part of. Don't miss out.