Dr Maria BarrettNov 7, 2022
Finally, my #intro post! I’m an Associate Prof at University of Warwick, researching diversity in #cultural #consumption, especially #WorkingClass #audiences for #theatre. I have been working with #DCMS #SelectCommittee in #UKParliament on diversifying the #expert witness pool. I head the #Masters in International #CulturalPolicy and Management, and am currently writing a #book on audiences at #Liverpool Royal Court. And then…
I was felled by newly acquired #MECFS and am on leave.
Show thread14/48 UKNov 10, 2022
@maria Hi Maria, wowee! Would love to talk about where our interests overlap!
Show threadDr Maria BarrettNov 10, 2022
@1448 that would be gorgeous! Tell me more about you
Show thread14/48 UKNov 10, 2022
@maria sorry to leave you hanging!
We’re into making unusual theatre experiences for artists and audiences… currently producing a version of A Christmas Carol where the cast all rehearse separately and in secret (they don’t know who their fellow cast members are)
We want audiences to be invited in to the excitement of live theatre by trying to make work in new and interesting ways.
Show threadDr Maria BarrettNov 11, 2022
@1448 yes, you were the Alfred Hitchcock of Mastodon!
That sounds amazing, what a great idea for a show, I’d love to see that. Where are you based?
Show thread14/48 UKNov 11, 2022
@maria ha! We’ve got a Leicester festival on 25th and 26th November at The Y theatre, 14 brand new plays will be written produced and performed in 48 hours by around 65 theatre makers… then Theatre Anonymous: A Christmas Carol is at Attenborough Arts Centre in Leicester on 17th December… then.. we do our kids festival, where 8-12 year olds write 4 plays and adults produce them for a performance on Sunday 19th Feb… (at some point we sleep…)
Would be great to hear more about your research!
Show threadDr Maria Barrett
@1448 Sorry for practically ghosting you, I lost your toot! That festival starts in my birthday. Very best of luck with it all, it sounds amazing.
Nov 14, 2022 at 10:48amWeb
Show threadDr Maria BarrettNov 14, 2022
@1448 My #research then. I’m interested in #theatre and #class, and how #theatres as #venues signal to people whether they belong, whether the theatre is ‘for the likes of them’. My argument in my last publication is that it’s not ‘just’ #ticketPrices or the types of production that are ‘barriers’, but the whole cultural environment. I’m interested in exploring cultural environments that are #hospitable to #workingClass people, that signal #belonging.
Show thread14/48 UKNov 14, 2022
@maria this is ace!
So good we’re throwing a whole festival for your birthday 🤣🤣🤣
Will deffo be interested to hear more on your research/read your book when it’s out… this is all right up our street.
Show thread14/48 UKNov 14, 2022
@maria definitely going to linger on the ‘signalling #belonging’ we often talk about artists feeing they have #permission to engage with venues/pursue certain paths, but totally think the same is true for audiences…
Show threadDr Maria BarrettNov 14, 2022
@1448 that’s such an interesting point. As directors/producers we always talk about creating ‘safe spaces’ for our creators (and so we should). We rarely even think about whether our #venues are ‘safe’ for #audiences.