Over 30 directors and designers from across live performance came together at the Old Vic in London last month for a one-day Equity conference focused on fair pay, working conditions and building collective power. Taking place amid ongoing negotiations with the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) and UK Theatre, the event provided an opportunity for members to share experiences, discuss the challenges facing their professions and help shape the union's priorities for securing better terms and conditions across the industry.
Equity President Lynda Rooke opened the conference, which was also attended by Theatre Directors Councillor Kerry Kyriacos Michael and Theatre Designers Councillor Louie Whitemore. This was followed by a discussion with Katie Posner, Joint Artistic Director of Paines Plough, and Aneesha Srinivasan, Associate Director at the Royal Court, exploring artist development, new writing and the structures needed to sustain creative careers.
The discussion highlighted the significant amount of work that takes place beyond rehearsals and performances, much of which goes unrecognised and unpaid, as well as the increasing pressures on creative careers in an industry facing reduced public funding. "The amount of time and work when you break down any fee is wild," said Katie Posner, while Aneesha Srinivasan reflected that "a lot of the work that we do doesn't wear the clothes of work but it is all work."
Equity's Commercial Theatre Industrial Official, Holly Firmin, and Assistant General Secretary for Live Performance, Adam Adnyana, then updated members on the union's priorities in the current round of negotiations with SOLT and UK Theatre, and how directors and designers can help shape the union's demands. The discussion highlighted the vital role collective agreements play in securing fair pay, terms and conditions for creative workers, particularly those who are genuinely self-employed and therefore have fewer statutory employment protections. Members heard how Equity's existing agreements are the result of years of collective organising and campaigning, and why their continued involvement is essential to protecting and improving these hard-won conditions. The session also provided an opportunity to consider how the experiences and priorities of directors and designers can inform the negotiations and strengthen the union's bargaining position.
A ‘Meet the Committee’ session kicked off the afternoon, bringing members together with representatives from Equity’s Directors and Designers Committee. The panel included Anna Morrissey and Charlotte Peters, as well as Equity’s Theatre Designers Councillor Louie Whitemore. Discussions covered a range of challenges facing directors and designers, including pay, career sustainability and recognition of their creative work. Members also raised concerns about the use of artificial intelligence in theatre, with one attendee describing meetings where producers had presented them set designs created using AI.
Reflecting on the need for better pay, Anna Morrissey said: “I’m in my mid 40s and I need a grown-up wage… we care so much about what we do and look after each other in extraordinary ways.” Louie Whitemore galvanised the crowd, telling attendees: “We’re in an exciting moment where we could bring around genuine change.”
The conference ended with group work and breakout sessions, giving members the opportunity to discuss shared challenges, identify common priorities and consider how to strengthen their collective voice at a pivotal moment for the industry.
Salome Wagaine, Equity's Creative Team Organiser, who organised the conference, said:
"With negotiations taking place for theatre directors and designers across SOLT and UK Theatre, the upcoming months are an important time for this group of our members. We will be building on the sense of community and momentum from the day with a further programme of online events and meetings.
"It was clear that the big priorities for creatives in these pay deals centre on the nature of their work, from prep, to production and after press night, being fairly quantified and properly remunerated."
Get involved
Missed the conference but want to get involved? Equity is continuing to build on the discussions and momentum from the conference with a series of online events and meetings. The first, Building Power for Directors and Designers, takes place on Friday 27 November at 11am on Zoom and is open to members and non-members.
Register to attend.
