Mission

We make LIVe & digital works to instigate change.

We are the UK’s first and leading Theatre Company of Sanctuary, committed to making work with and for people seeking sanctuary (refugees, asylum seekers and new migrants). We proudly sit at the intersection of arts, culture & social activism. Through a rigorous and adventurous co-creation programme we provide thousands of people seeking sanctuary with regular, long-term making opportunities and events in order to celebrate, platform and ensure equality of opportunity.

Welcome • Empower • Create • Action • Now

We proudly sit at the intersection of arts, culture & social activism.

What We Do

Stand & Be Counted was founded in 2010 with a passion for platforming the voices we need more of. Our work is adventurous and highly political, merging lived experience with new ideas. We have always believed that theatre is a vital tool in the pursuit of positive social change and justice. Art is activism and by changing hearts and minds we will change policy.

We make live and digital theatre with a proud record for platforming new artists and welcoming new audiences. Our work is innovative, adventurous and political, merging lived experience with new ideas.

Our work merges new writing, live music, physical performance and digital arts. We make small-mid scale contemporary theatre, large-scale community performance projects, educational & empowerment workshops, interactive films, audio adventures, documentaries and site-specific performance.

What is a Theatre Company of Sanctuary?

Creating spaces and opportunities supporting the development of communication skills, self-expression and wellbeing.
Promoting intercultural experiences and collaboration.
Offering work placements and paid opportunities to people who came to the UK seeking sanctuary.
Championing artists with lived experience and the myriad of stories they have to tell.
Training a network of arts professionals who can join us in putting people seeking sanctuary at the top of their priority list.

Formalise a Best Practice Toolkit for working creatively with people seeking sanctuary, via our Welcome Consortium, directly addressing the lack of current national guidelines.
Be ambassadors for the work that City of Sanctuary does across the UK.
Supporting and challenging other arts organisations to become involved in this work.
Ensure tickets and opportunities are always available for people seeking sanctuary.

OUR TEAM

OVERVIEW

SBC Theatre is a group of creative professionals and artists committed to making work with and for people seeking sanctuary in the uk and internationally.

Want to get to know us more? Read our personal bios below or find us on your favourite social channel and say hello. We love a good chat!

TEAM

ROSIE MACPHERSON

ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
I am a founding member and Artistic Director of SBC. I lead on SBC’s day-to-day activity, direction and ensure we are always best placed to serve our communities. I’m a writer with a passion for politics and for me this job is all about creating platforms for different people across the country to say what’s on their mind.

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Nadia Emam

ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
I am a facilitator, film, and theatre director based in Sheffield. I was part of the first Bank Cohort at Sheffield Theatres and am an Associate Artist for NSDF, Grimm & Co, as well as a Creative Mentor with Screen Yorkshire. I’m thrilled to be part of Team SBC.

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JOHN TOMLINSON

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
I am a founding member and Executive Director of SBC. I manage the strategic relationships with partners and stakeholders. I believe that the arts have the power to make real social change.

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CHELSEA MORGAN

ASSOSIATE DIRECTOR
I’m an experienced creative practitioner, producer, and performer skilled in designing and delivering projects in community settings. I love conversations and sharing ideas. Collaborating with participants to create exciting projects together, where everyone can have a nice time!

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SMART BANDA

DIGITAL DIRECTOR
I joined SBC in 2020 with seven years of experience in the creative industry. I specialise in managing SBC’s digital campaigns and platforms. I work with participants and creative teams to deliver a wide range of immersive and interactive digital experiences and I’m passionate about ensuring everyone we work with has the chance to develop these skills.

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zoe katsilerou

I am a performer and maker with background in dance-theatre, devised theatre, socially engaged theatre, polyphonic singing and improvisation. Originally from Greece, I live in Bradford and work across the North of England and Scotland.

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