Our second Policy and Practice seminar on ‘Working with and Influencing the Mainstream’ saw our Learning Community wrestling with the sometimes nuanced differences between participatory performing arts and established theatre practice. Together we sought to find ways to influence change in the short and long term, so that more inclusive models of practice can be developed.

In this document we include Chrissie Tiller’s summary of the second Learning Community, covering the two case studies in much more detail as well as summarising the action points we developed while working in smaller groups. We also include her briefing note ‘From the Margins to the Mainstream’ which delves into the twin issues of what ‘the mainstream’ means; and what the barriers are that stop stories from the more marginalised parts of society from being told. This document was circulated to participants before we held our seminar to drive their thinking.