Cue Backstage
The development and creation of a more diverse production workforce across Scotland’s performing arts
Cue Backstage is BOP’s three-year project to open up backstage and offstage work in Scotland’s performing arts to disabled people. Now in its second year, the work is under way: our first BOP Backstage Trainees have started, our BOP Change Makers begin in October, and organisations and freelancers are joining as Associates.
“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 working with partners and the wider sector to create opportunities for disabled people and a culture that values disabled workers in all areas of production.
BOP Change Makers
Applications closed on 17 August 2026 and our first cohort has been selected. Thank you to everyone who applied. The Change Makers year begins in October 2026.
Supported by BOP, the Change Makers work independently and in working groups to research barriers, develop solutions and test them, in three areas:
- Addressing Physical & Environmental Barriers
- Changing Attitudes
- Changing Policies and Procedures
Each group researches the barriers, develops solutions, then tests and refines them, feeding the results into tools and resources for the sector.
Change Makers’ Commitment
Activity currently looks like:
- 2 in-person days: Friday 23 October 2026, and one in March 2027
- 3 online sessions of up to 2 hours (between November 2026 and March 2027)
The first in-person day brings the Change Makers together with the project’s two steering groups to plan the initial research. The cohort is a mix of freelance and salaried workers from across Scottish theatre. To hear about future opportunities, see How do I get involved? below.
BOP Backstage Trainees
Our six BOP Backstage Trainees began the programme on 31 August 2026, and applications are now closed. BOP Backstage Trainees is a free 2-year training programme for Deaf, Disabled and/or Neurodivergent people with a passion for working backstage.
The trainees will take part in:
- Workshops to learn skills in a range of backstage and offstage roles, and working backstage on other BOP projects, including alongside our BOP Young Artists.
- Individual mentoring to set goals for their backstage/offstage journey and create their own access statement.
- Active reflection on their learning via video diaries/blogs etc.
- Multiple placements with arts organisations across Scotland (producing venues, receiving venues, touring companies etc.), beginning in 2027.
What is Cue Backstage?
Cue Backstage focuses on disabled backstage and offstage workers because BOP and partners have identified an ongoing lack of disabled people in these roles. The project is researching the reasons, such as a lack of accessible training opportunities or difficulty retaining disabled workers, and testing 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
Over three years we aim to build a body of learning on what is needed to develop and support a diverse, inclusive disabled workforce in theatre production, from backstage roles such as stage manager and technical roles to offstage roles such as lighting and set design. Along the way we will develop talent and create opportunities and employment, and set a roadmap for a cultural shift in practices and policies so that more disabled people can pursue and sustain careers in these roles.
Who is Cue Backstage for?
Cue Backstage is for the theatre industry as a whole, and is open to anyone curious about backstage and offstage work, including those who believed it wasn’t accessible before. Some projects are designed specifically for disabled and neurodivergent people exploring the technical and creative side of theatre-making. The project focuses on backstage roles first, followed by offstage roles, which we define 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 works with theatre venues and companies, and with disabled individuals, and there will be more opportunities for industry workers to get involved over the next two years. To become an Associate, email cuebackstage@boptheatre.co.uk. To hear about future opportunities, including the next Change Makers and Trainees recruitment, join our register of interest:
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
BOP Backstage Trainees induction, 31 August, 2 and 4 September 2026: three days of training for our six trainees at The Boardwalk, Glasgow.
Backstage Day, Saturday 15 November 2025: 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. People met professionals working in lighting, sound, stage management, wardrobe and more, and got a real taste of backstage life.
