Activist, writer and co-founder of the Transition movement Rob Hopkins will give the keynote address at this year's Theatres Trust Conference 22: Theatres Fit for the Future.
Hopkins is a director of Totnes Community Development Society and the author of a number of books , amongst them The Transition Handbook and From What Is to What If: unleashing the power of imagination to create the future we want, and he hosts the podcast From What If to What Next.
He is joined at the podium by a panel of sector professionals including Julie Ellen from Macrobert Arts Centre, Robert Hastie from Sheffield Theatres, Low Kee Hong from The Factory and Rachel O’Riordan from Lyric Hammersmith. Hannah-Azieb Pool from Bernie Grant Arts Centre will be in the chair.
In addition to the main speaking and panel events, there will be sessions on adapting theatre buildings, improving the sustainability of buildings and productions, theatre business models and the role of theatre venues in placemaking and 'Levelling Up'.
At the forefront of the day’s activities will be the conference themes of resilience, inclusion, sustainability and placemaking.
Amongst those attending the Conference 22: Theatres Fit for the Future event are property developers Argent, Future City, The Albany London, Brixton House, The Embassy Skegness, Komedia Bath / Brighton, The Lowry Salford, The Sage Gateshead, Theatre Royal Plymouth and Worcester Performing Arts Centre, as well as architects, practitioners, sustainability experts and theatre consultants.
Jon Morgan, Theatres Trust director, said, “we are absolutely delighted to have Rob Hopkins opening Conference 22, setting the tone for what will be a positive, energetic day. Theatres Fit for the Future will bring the theatre sector together, to not just talk about the problems we face, but collectively find solutions.”
The Theatres Trust’s Conference 22: Theatres Fit for the Future will take place on 11 October at Lyric Theatre Hammersmith, London.