Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse and 20 Stories High are to host the Class Assembly (Northwest) for the Regional Theatre Young Directors' Scheme at the Everyman, which it describes as "a gathering to understand the deep-rooted socio-economic inequity in the arts and to formulate tangible action points to make change."
Run by RTYDS's Stef O'Driscoll and Caitriona Shoobridge and 20 Stories High's Youth and Community Director Paislie Reid on 14 May, it intends to look at the barriers preventing the working classes from entering the arts sector, whose workforce, according to ACE's data, has only 13% from working-class or low socioeconomic backgrounds.
Nathan Powell, Creative Director of the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse said, "Class Assembly is a vital space to bring together artists and organisations, to challenge the structures that keep working-class creatives on the margins. Change won’t come from intention alone—it takes commitment, courage and collaboration. Together with our Associate Company 20 Stories High and RTYDS's Fair Play programme, we’re driven to make this event the start of that change."