In autumn 2025, Sheffield Theatres welcome four local Associate Companies who will work with the support of Sheffield Theatres in the development of their work and future collaborations. Part of new Artistic Director Elizabeth Newman's ambition to develop work from within the city, spotlighting home-grown talent alongside national and international productions, the announcement marks the formalisation of relationships between a variety of exciting creative practitioners and theatre makers in Sheffield and its world renowned producing theatre.
The new Associate Companies are: Forced Entertainment, a Sheffield-based ensemble influencing the ecology and experience of theatre through collaboration with other artists; Roots Mbili Theatre, a company exploring cross-cultural and international collaborations reaching out from Sheffield; Stand & Be Counted Theatre, a Sheffield-based arts charity and the UK’s first Theatre Company of Sanctuary; and The Bare Project, an artist-led collective in Sheffield creating artistic experiences with communities.
The companies will each receive access to the internationally renowned theatre's resources across their four-venue complex, from rehearsal space, technical equipment and staff to creative input from the theatre's artistic and producing team.
Sheffield Theatres also announced today the appointment of their new Creative Development Director, Deborah Dickinson. The new Senior Management role will oversee the new associate companies as well as new work and talent development, creating future artistic collaborations, reaching more communities in South Yorkshire and nurturing emerging talent in the local area.
Elizabeth Newman, Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres said:
“When I became Artistic Director last year, it was an exciting time to begin connecting with the many brilliant artists and companies rooted in Sheffield with a clear objective to build more meaningful partnerships - collaborating in new ways and celebrating the creative lifeblood of our city. That’s why I’m thrilled we can share the news that we are welcoming Forced Entertainment, The Bare Project, Stand and Be Counted Theatre and Roots Mbili as Sheffield Theatres’ new Associate Companies.
Each brings a bold, unique voice and a deep connection to our communities. I’ve long admired Forced Entertainment and had already encountered the powerful work of SBC Theatre and Roots Mbili before arriving in Sheffield. Discovering The Bare Project’s work since moving here has been a real joy. We are looking forward to deepening these relationships. This is a significant step in our journey to make Sheffield Theatres a true creative home - one that reflects and celebrates the extraordinary talent of this city.”
The companies’ creative teams shared their comments:
Tim Etchells, Artistic Director of Forced Entertainment said: “We’re delighted to have entered this associate relationship with Sheffield Theatres - there’s a real value to organisations in the city collaborating and to working together to develop opportunities for exciting theatre in Sheffield and further afield. We’re different organisations with different approaches of course, but we’re brought together by a mutual belief that art, performance and stories all play a vital part in in the richness and diversity of the city we live and work in.”
John Rwothomack, founder and artistic director of Roots Mbili Theatre, added: “Roots Mbili Theatre is proudly planted in the soil of Sheffield. For one reason or another the three of us met in this city, have all called it home for over 20 years, and we are now running a truly Sheffield rooted company. Our ambitions to date would simply have not been realised without the wonderful people of this city and Sheffield Theatres, who have been a close friend and adviser since our inception in 2021. We are beyond honoured and excited to be invited to be an associate company at this incredible organisation and very much looking forward to uncovering what is beyond this new horizon with Sheffield Theatres.”
Rosie MacPherson, Artistic Director and joint CEO of Stand & Be Counted Theatre, said: “Everyone in the team is so excited to work with Sheffield Theatres as a new associate company. This partnership means we can take our innovative projects to even wider audiences in the future. It will also ensure our focus on championing work made with and for people seeking sanctuary can continue - and go to the next level. We can’t wait to get started.”
Malaika Cunningham, Artistic Director of The Bare Project commented: “We have collaborated with Sheffield Theatres in lots of ways over the years and we are very happy to now be an Associate Company. Being more closely linked with Sheffield Theatres will offer us the support we need to push our work further, both on the stage and in the city. For example, it will help us to develop Common Threads, a Sheffield-wide arts project about weaving and women taking up space in the city. And also, to take on our new, most ambitious project yet: building an outdoor theatre made from living trees, that we hope will last for at least a hundred years.”
