Cue Backstage
The development and creation of a more diverse production workforce across Scotland’s performing arts
BOP is delighted to announce the launch of its new three-year project – Cue Backstage.
We have worked for over three decades to increase the profile of disabled performers, writers and other ‘visible’ creatives – with this project we will look at increasing access to the performing arts in Scotland for those working backstage and offstage.
“I believe initiatives like this not only contribute to diversity and representation in theatre but also pave the way for more inclusive practices across the industry.”
– A disabled young person shadowing BOP’s production Don’t. Make. Tea. in 2024
Supported by the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, we are excited to work with partners and the wider sector to ensure that disabled people have opportunities to develop in backstage and offstage roles, and that we learn ways to ensure that we move to a culture that views disabled workers as an asset in all areas of production.
BOP Change Makers
Cue Backstage Change Makers is part of BOPs Cue Backstage project, which aims to make backstage and offstage roles more accessible for D/deaf, Disabled and/or Neurodivergent people in Scotland. Supported by BOP, the Change Makers will work independently and within working groups to research, create solutions, and test ways to break down barriers to make change in the sector.
The BOP Change Makers role is being created to investigate the issues and propose solutions in three areas:
- Addressing Physical & Environmental Barriers
- Changing Attitudes
- Changing Policies and Procedures
Change Maker’s Commitment
We need our BOP Change Makers to commit to the programme and contribute to the research and working groups.
Our proposed activity currently looks like:
- 2 In Person days (one in Autumn 2026 and one in Spring 2027)
- 3 Online sessions up to 2 hours (between November 2026 and April 2027)
We envisage that the Change Makers will be made up of freelance and salaried workers.
BOP Backstage Trainees
We have appointed the BOP Backstage Trainees. Applications are now closed.
BOP Backstage Trainees is a free 2-year training programme for up to 6 Deaf, Disabled and/or Neurodivergent people with a passion for working backstage.
The BOP Backstage Trainees will take part in:
- Workshops to learn skills in a range of backstage and offstage roles.
- Individual mentoring to set goals for their backstage/offstage journey.
- Active reflection on their learning via video diaries/blogs etc.
- Working backstage on other BOP projects.
- Multiple placements with various types of arts organisations across Scotland (producing venues, receiving venues, touring companies etc.).
What is Cue Backstage?
Cue Backstage is a three-year project to support the development and creation of a more diverse production workforce across Scotland’s performing arts. The project will focus on disabled backstage and offstage workers because BOP and partners have identified an ongoing lack of disabled people in these roles. The project will research the reasons for this, such as a lack of accessible training opportunities or difficulty retaining disabled workers, and propose new ways forward.
Here’s what our initial research told us –
“I think there’s probably an immediate barrier of: ‘Well, that’s not the kind of job you could do’. Which you know is absolutely not the case but I think there’s that immediate perception.”
– Steering group member, 2024
Cue Backstage aims to create a body of learning and knowledge about what is needed to develop, support and create a diverse and inclusive disabled workforce in the performing arts and specifically in theatre production. This will include looking at backstage roles such as stage manager and technical roles and offstage roles such as lighting and set design.
Throughout the three years of the project we will develop talent, create opportunities and employment. We aim to set a roadmap for ongoing work to make a cultural shift in practices and policies that will ensure the workplace culture in backstage and offstage roles has shifted to ensure more disabled people in the future can pursue and sustain careers in these roles.
Who is Cue Backstage for?
Cue Backstage is for the theatre industry as a whole.
There will be specific projects throughout Cue Backstage designed for disabled and neurodivergent people interested in exploring the technical and creative aspects of theatre-making, but it is open to anyone curious about backstage and offstage work, including those who believed it wasn’t accessible before. The project will focus on backstage roles followed by offstage roles. We are defining them as:
Backstage – The people and roles needed on the night to make the show happen
- Operators
- Lighting
- Sound
- AV
- Stage Managers
- Assistant Stage Managers
- Deputy Stage Managers
- Stage Managers
- Company Stage Managers
- Technicians
- Flyperson
- Costume Supervisor / Wardrobe
- Make-up, Hair and Wig artists
Offstage – Design, management, creative offstage roles
- Producers
- Designers
- Lighting
- Sound
- AV
- Set
- Costume
- Production Manager
- Carpenter/Construction
- Costumier
How do I get involved?
The project will work with two main stakeholder groups: theatre venues/companies and disabled individuals. Over the next three years, there will be lots of opportunities for industry workers to get involved. If you would like to keep in touch about Cue Backstage, please complete this form:
Who are the current partners and on the two Steering Groups?
BOP would like to thank the organisations and individuals who have already supported this project with research and initial conversations which allowed us to develop a successful application for support to the Esmee Fairbairn organisation.
We are delighted to have two steering groups supporting the project over the next three years.
- Jack Bradford
- JoeJon Clennell
- Derek Gibson
- Mary-Jane McNally
- Demelza Monk
- Sorcha Pringle
- Abi Tuner
- Rosie Ward
- Susannah Armitage – Head of Live Performance and Senior Producer at Eden Court
- Alice Black – Production Manager at National Theatre of Scotland
- Niall Black – Production Manager at Scottish Opera
- Fiona Fraser – Freelancer and Production Manager at Edinburgh International Children’s Festival
- Louise Gregory – Technical & Production Manager at An Tobar and Mull Theatre
- Davin Johnton – Head of Production at National Theatre of Scotland
- Ros Maddison – Head of Production at Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
- Caitlin Skinner – Artistic Director at Stellar Quines
- Gemma Swallow – Freelance Production Manager
- Elle Taylor – Freelance Production Manager
Cue Backstage Team
Past Cue Backstage Events
Past event: In autumn 25, BOP’s Cue Backstage project and the National Theatre of Scotland teamed up for a Backstage Day — a hands-on event for disabled and neurodivergent people of all ages to explore the technical and creative side of theatre making. It was open to anyone curious about backstage work, including those who believed it wasn’t accessible before. It was be suitable for all ages and all stages of career, whether you are just starting out, considering a career change, or facing barriers at work. People had the chance to meet professionals working in lighting, sound, stage management, wardrobe and more. An opportunity to get a real taste of backstage life.
