Birds of Paradise Theatre Company was formally constituted as a company limited by guarantee and as a registered charity in 1993, becoming Scotland’s first touring theatre company employing disabled and non-disabled actors. Since then we have been led by a number of visionary leaders and in 2012 we became disability-led through the appointment of our current Artistic Directors.
Many original aims behind the formation of the company are still familiar to Birds of Paradise today: to employ disabled and non-disabled actors and other theatre professionals, to commission new work, to work in partnership with other organisations at home and abroad, to create positive images of inclusion and to encourage participation in the arts.
Image above: Robert speaking at our 25th anniversary event, held at the Scottish Parliament (2018)
The current team consists of: Artistic Director, Robert Softley Gale; Executive Director, Mairi Taylor; Producer, Michelle Rolfe; Development Officer, Morna McGeoch; Office & Communication Officer Kerry Lane: Training Coordinator Anna Richardson. Robert is recognised as a key player in the disability arts scene in the UK and on the world stage and his presence gives an authority to Birds of Paradise’s status as Scotland’s premier disability-led theatre company.
In 2013 the company was awarded Projects and Programmes funding from Creative Scotland as well as receiving ongoing Projects Funding from Glasgow City Council. In 2015 the company became an RFO and in 2018 its was awarded RFO status for a further three years.
Image above: Some of the team who worked on My Left / Right Foot : The Musical, receiving a Herald Angel award (2018)
BOP has some key strategic strengths:
creating theatre with diverse companies that embodies the principles of Creative Access
making shows that are popular, in demand and that receive critical acclaim
being decisive, fast and forthright in responding to opportunities to develop new work
You can read the below document for the full story about how BOP was formed.
If you have any further questions about BOP, why not visit our FAQs page.
How We Work:
Fair Work
Birds Of Paradise Theatre Company is committed to Fair Work practices as outlined by the Scottish Government but also as understood by us as a charity committed to fair and accessible working practices that in particular support the progression of disabled people in the arts and culture.
BOP is an accredited Fair Work Employer and works closely with Equity and partners such as PiPA. Everyone who works with BOP – in any capacity – is asked to complete an Access Requirements form to help us determine how we can best meet their needs and remove any barriers they might face. This form is the basis of our ongoing working relationship with that individual and how we will support them.
We know that support is often needed to access existing resources such as Access 2 Work – the government scheme to provide financial support for barrier removal. We often instigate and assist with applications for core staff members as well as the eligible freelancers who work with us.
BOP THEATRE is the area of activity in which we employ the greatest number of people on freelance contracts and to work intensively over a short period of time on productions. To this end it is essential that people enter the company on well paid, clear contracts with an understanding of how the company will work with, value and respect them in their role. Our company handbook indicates who to speak to about various concerns, lists that production’s union rep, etc. We ensure that people we work with have the ability to speak individually and collectively, and to be heard, in open, safe and constructive dialogue.
BOP DEVELOPMENT and BOP STRATEGIC are other areas where we work a great deal with freelance artists, trainers and educators on short term contracts and we ensure that they are paid established rates and have a clear understanding of expectations within their roles. We avoid volunteer positions – even if a position is a development opportunity it needs to be paid appropriately. We understand that people face work insecurity and we strive to model and provide paid opportunities in the sector for disabled people. This contributes towards systemic change in creating a more disability-confident cultural sector and these public benefits are further amplified if employing disabled people within cultural organisations becomes normalised.
Parents & Carers in Performing Arts
BOP is a PiPA (Parents and Carers in Performing Arts) Charter Partner, striving towards creating a more family friendly working environment.
PiPA campaigns to enable and empower parents, carers and employers to achieve sustainable change in attitudes and practices in order to attract, support and retain a more diverse and flexible workforce. We are always happy to discuss solutions that allow people to balance their caring responsibilities with their working lives, for example through job shares or flexible working arrangements as appropriate.
Green Arts Initiative
BOP is a member of the Green Arts Initiative
The Green Arts Initiative is a proactive network which aims to build and maintain a Scottish green arts community. Run by Creative Carbon Scotland, with oversight and support from a steering group of Green Arts members.
BOP takes an active part in working with the initiative to reduce it’s own carbon footprint, and that of the sector as a whole.
Equality Action Pledge
BOP has signed up to a pledge that committs us to the following:
Our Board will take steps to measure the diversity of the Board, senior leadership, staff, volunteers and service users by all relevant protected characteristics.
Our Board will identify what it can do to achieve fair representation from underrepresented groups at Board, senior leadership, staff, and volunteer levels. We will set targets and take action for improvement.
Our organisation will tackle barriers which might prevent some groups of people from accessing our services.
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