Liverpool theatres to run new Creative Mentors programme

Liverpool theatres and other cultural organisations have launched a new mentoring programme to support creatives from the Global Majority to develop their careers.

The Royal Court, Everyman and Playhouse and Shakespeare North Playhouse at Prescot are joining forces to run the Mentor Creatives initiative which is due to start this September.

The programme is also supported by youth arts charity Curious Minds, the PH Holt Charitable Trust and Liverpool BID.

Mentors from within the industry will work with 10 ‘ambitious and determined’ people of any age from across the creative sector – including actors, directors, designers and writers – offering them support and guidance to progress their professional development and career.

That support will include one-to-one mentorship with regular focused sessions tailored to individual circumstances and needs, assistance setting realistic goals and developing a plan to attain them, skills development, regular networking opportunities, and ongoing support and encouragement to ensure mentees remain focussed and motivated both during and once the programme concludes.

Royal Court chief executive Gillian Miller said: “At Liverpool’s Royal Court we know the value of nurturing new talent. Every show we present is commissioned from a writer with a Liverpool voice.

“We know that working class creatives find it hard to secure a place within the industry, but it is even more challenging for those within the Global Majority.

“If we want to see a pipeline of talent telling their stories, making a career within theatre and the arts, it’s vital we support them to do so. This year-long programme is just the first step.”

And Everyman and Playhouse chief executive Mark Da Vanzo added: “We’re delighted to partner with our friends at Curious Minds, Liverpool Royal Court and Shakespeare North Playhouse to deliver this important mentoring programme.

“This initiative builds on the Liverpool Everyman and Playhouse Theatre’s commitment to diversifying cultural workforces, especially in leadership positions.

“In 2022, we delivered a leadership programme aimed at providing coaching and leadership tools to those from ethnically diverse backgrounds.

“It proved so successful that we were keen to keep up the momentum with a follow up programme, this time in partnership and across the Liverpool region.”

Anyone from the Global Majority who is interested in being mentored as part of the programme should email harvey@liverpoolsroyalcourt.com by August 14.

The programme will start in September and run until July next year.