I'm currently working on a report for the Writer's Guild of Great Britain about ageism in theatre with particular focus on writer development opportunities. Below is a series of questions I will put to theatres, but I'd like some feedback before I do that. Have I missed out any questions? Are there any other questions you think I should ask?
We have a Facebook group called 'Written Off! where you can post feedback or you can find my contact details and email me via my website
1. Theatres do a great job of targeting underrepresented
groups, but not often when it comes to age:
When targeting underrepresented groups in your writer development
programmes, do you specifically include older writers as an underrepresented
group, and what do you consider to be an older writer?
2. Age restricted opportunities: Do you
run age restricted writer development projects? What are the target age groups?
Is this dictated by funding or artistic policy?
3. There is a perception that open
opportunities are not really open to all ages: Where you run writer development
opportunities that are not age restricted what are the ages of those who have
participated over the past 3 years?
4. Use of the word ‘Young’ obviously
excludes older writers: Do you use the word young in opportunities where there
is no age restriction? Have you used the word young where you actually meant
new? Are there images of older writers on your website?
5. Finding the very best new writing: Do
you have a statement outlining what you aim to achieve through your writer
development opportunities? How do you ensure that it encourages the broadest
possible range of applicants?
6. In my research so far I have
discovered a general preconception that literary departments are run by young
white males. Could you share details of your team using basic equality
monitoring figures?
7. In my research so far it has emerged
that older women face specific barriers. Do you have opportunities aimed specifically
at women that are open to any age? Do you do anything to specifically encourage
older women to apply? If so what are the
ages of participants over the past three years?
8. Please give examples of good practice
where you feel your organisation is offering good opportunities to older
writers, or where your organisation is making an effort to reach this group.