Benjamin Monk
@benmonk.bsky.social
✨ theatre producing / admin / analysis / consulting
✨ politics / live music
✨ ADHD / disability
✨ he / him
(previously quit a PhD, won a Tony, quit X)
✨ politics / live music
✨ ADHD / disability
✨ he / him
(previously quit a PhD, won a Tony, quit X)
Reposted by Benjamin Monk
Lisa Nandy said ‘Who tells the story determines the story that is told. So if you don’t have a diverse workforce in the arts world, then too many people’s stories will be erased from our national story…’
Tell them Lisa
www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/private...
Tell them Lisa
www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/private...
Privately educated hold top jobs at third of highest-funded NPOs - Arts Professional
Artistic directors and creative leaders who work at organisations that receive the most funding from Arts Council England (ACE) are more than four times more likely to have attended private school tha...
www.artsprofessional.co.uk
February 26, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Lisa Nandy said ‘Who tells the story determines the story that is told. So if you don’t have a diverse workforce in the arts world, then too many people’s stories will be erased from our national story…’
Tell them Lisa
www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/private...
Tell them Lisa
www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/private...
Reposted by Benjamin Monk
I cannot possibly picture things being any bleaker. Are we just jacking it in?
The reports about changes to Arts Council England‘s eligibility for Project Grants is going to rock the industry.
Should be made public in the next 2 weeks but crikey, it looks bleak for artists and independent organisations not in receipt of ACE regular funding.
Should be made public in the next 2 weeks but crikey, it looks bleak for artists and independent organisations not in receipt of ACE regular funding.
February 15, 2025 at 11:37 AM
I cannot possibly picture things being any bleaker. Are we just jacking it in?
Reposted by Benjamin Monk
So much of the UK’s international stature is based on higher education and in particular on arts and humanities. If the government allows these institutions to collapse it would be unbelievably short-sighted
This is horrifying news for the HE conservatoire sector. Even esteemed, specialist institutions are struggling to stay afloat. The government is in a position to save them but is not doing enough oldvic.ac.uk/news/an-impo...
An important announcement regarding future undergraduate training at the school - Bristol Old Vic Theatre School
For almost 80 years, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School – one of the most well-regarded and successful drama schools in the UK – has prepared talented students from all walks of life to join the creative ...
oldvic.ac.uk
January 7, 2025 at 6:16 AM
So much of the UK’s international stature is based on higher education and in particular on arts and humanities. If the government allows these institutions to collapse it would be unbelievably short-sighted
Reposted by Benjamin Monk
Michael Billington in 1989:
'But what finally troubles me about the arts in Britain today is that we are all getting used to settling for less...The worst affliction of our age is a kind of spiritual ennui stemming from a belief that it is impossible to change anything'
#TheatreSky
'But what finally troubles me about the arts in Britain today is that we are all getting used to settling for less...The worst affliction of our age is a kind of spiritual ennui stemming from a belief that it is impossible to change anything'
#TheatreSky
January 7, 2025 at 2:03 PM
Michael Billington in 1989:
'But what finally troubles me about the arts in Britain today is that we are all getting used to settling for less...The worst affliction of our age is a kind of spiritual ennui stemming from a belief that it is impossible to change anything'
#TheatreSky
'But what finally troubles me about the arts in Britain today is that we are all getting used to settling for less...The worst affliction of our age is a kind of spiritual ennui stemming from a belief that it is impossible to change anything'
#TheatreSky
Reposted by Benjamin Monk
dear theatre, not so long ago we talked abt letting go of burnout culture and toxic work environments we still can.
December 20, 2024 at 12:48 PM
dear theatre, not so long ago we talked abt letting go of burnout culture and toxic work environments we still can.
Reposted by Benjamin Monk
or they start with one and there vision and mission drift as their own continued survival becomes the primary concern.
Theatre has a vision problem.
When I say vision, I mean an articulation of why a building or organisation exists. A purpose. A statement of how you want to change the world.
A coherent, inspiring vision was essential to everything we did at Company Three.
But so many theatres don’t have one.
When I say vision, I mean an articulation of why a building or organisation exists. A purpose. A statement of how you want to change the world.
A coherent, inspiring vision was essential to everything we did at Company Three.
But so many theatres don’t have one.
December 17, 2024 at 12:42 PM
or they start with one and there vision and mission drift as their own continued survival becomes the primary concern.
Reposted by Benjamin Monk
dear theatre, this is how you do it. this is access. for real. if Dan Fishback can do this, so can everyone. learn. listen. do. #theatre
This artists access statement is tremendous. I want this for all of us. All shows, not just ones made by and about ME/CFS & the ongoing pandemic
December 16, 2024 at 12:15 AM
dear theatre, this is how you do it. this is access. for real. if Dan Fishback can do this, so can everyone. learn. listen. do. #theatre
Reposted by Benjamin Monk
I'm genuinely shocked www.americantheatre.org/2024/12/13/m...
MAP Fund Retires National Regranting Program
With major funders Duke and Mellon pulling out, the 35-year-old program, which awarded nearly $40 million to performing artists, is ending.
www.americantheatre.org
December 13, 2024 at 5:27 PM
I'm genuinely shocked www.americantheatre.org/2024/12/13/m...
Reposted by Benjamin Monk
Since 2017, arts funding from national bodies, including for drama, has been cut by 16% in real terms across the UK.
In 2024, 41% of schools no longer enter any pupils for Drama GCSE.
In 2024, 41% of schools no longer enter any pupils for Drama GCSE.
Drama has a powerful positive impact on young people
As drama teaching faces cuts at school, it must be remembered the profound effect on society’s youth it has, and the force for good it is
centralbylines.co.uk
December 9, 2024 at 10:48 AM
Since 2017, arts funding from national bodies, including for drama, has been cut by 16% in real terms across the UK.
In 2024, 41% of schools no longer enter any pupils for Drama GCSE.
In 2024, 41% of schools no longer enter any pupils for Drama GCSE.
Reposted by Benjamin Monk
I’m excited by my coaching programme next year. It’s low cost, it’s needed, it’s tested. But how do I get the word out? What newsletters and mailing lists do you read? Help a woman out. www.lilyeinhorn.com/re-inspire
INSPIRE — Lily Einhorn
www.lilyeinhorn.com
December 9, 2024 at 12:24 PM
I’m excited by my coaching programme next year. It’s low cost, it’s needed, it’s tested. But how do I get the word out? What newsletters and mailing lists do you read? Help a woman out. www.lilyeinhorn.com/re-inspire
Reposted by Benjamin Monk
Disabled people continue to be the greatest victims of austerity. They are shut out of mainstream political discourse. Scapegoated, demonised, insulted, threatened and humiliated without anyone defending their interests.
Channel 4 documentary on benefits was ‘atrocity’ and ‘insult’ to disabled people in poverty, say activists
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/channel-4-do...
www.disabilitynewsservice.com/channel-4-do...
Channel 4 documentary on benefits was ‘atrocity’ and ‘insult’ to disabled people in poverty, say activists
A Channel 4 documentary that claimed to expose the “scandal” of the disability benefits system has been described as an “atrocity” and an “insult” to the millions of disabled people in poverty. The…
www.disabilitynewsservice.com
December 9, 2024 at 1:52 PM
Disabled people continue to be the greatest victims of austerity. They are shut out of mainstream political discourse. Scapegoated, demonised, insulted, threatened and humiliated without anyone defending their interests.
Reposted by Benjamin Monk
"...individuals operating as independents in the arts are at a disadvantage when faced with the hyper-competitive trickle-down economic regimes..." -Susan Jones, independent arts researcher.
https://buff.ly/3VNc5w9
#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork #WeAreCreative #Freelancers
https://buff.ly/3VNc5w9
#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork #WeAreCreative #Freelancers
December 5, 2024 at 9:25 AM
"...individuals operating as independents in the arts are at a disadvantage when faced with the hyper-competitive trickle-down economic regimes..." -Susan Jones, independent arts researcher.
https://buff.ly/3VNc5w9
#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork #WeAreCreative #Freelancers
https://buff.ly/3VNc5w9
#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork #WeAreCreative #Freelancers
Reposted by Benjamin Monk
Simple things the theatre industry could do to to make life easier for workers …
Number one - a standard universal basic application form for jobs so that people applying for multiple roles didn’t have to fill in a new one each time.
Number one - a standard universal basic application form for jobs so that people applying for multiple roles didn’t have to fill in a new one each time.
November 25, 2024 at 9:45 AM
Simple things the theatre industry could do to to make life easier for workers …
Number one - a standard universal basic application form for jobs so that people applying for multiple roles didn’t have to fill in a new one each time.
Number one - a standard universal basic application form for jobs so that people applying for multiple roles didn’t have to fill in a new one each time.
Reposted by Benjamin Monk
Difficult to describe what a dangerous moment we are in.
The owner of Twitter/richest man in the world/closest adviser to the next US president is promoting a far-right Tommy Robinson (!) documentary to his 200 million followers.
This is the mainstreaming of violent, Islamophobic fascism.
The owner of Twitter/richest man in the world/closest adviser to the next US president is promoting a far-right Tommy Robinson (!) documentary to his 200 million followers.
This is the mainstreaming of violent, Islamophobic fascism.
November 24, 2024 at 7:58 PM
Difficult to describe what a dangerous moment we are in.
The owner of Twitter/richest man in the world/closest adviser to the next US president is promoting a far-right Tommy Robinson (!) documentary to his 200 million followers.
This is the mainstreaming of violent, Islamophobic fascism.
The owner of Twitter/richest man in the world/closest adviser to the next US president is promoting a far-right Tommy Robinson (!) documentary to his 200 million followers.
This is the mainstreaming of violent, Islamophobic fascism.
Reposted by Benjamin Monk
"Lottery grants were intended to work in addition to public funding, not to replace it. In propping up crumbling arts infrastructure, the lottery has helped let governments off the hook. Funding for the arts should not depend on crossing our fingers." www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on 30 years of the national lottery: winners and losers | Editorial
Editorial: From the Angel of the North to the Eden Project, it has transformed the UK’s cultural landscape. But public funding for the arts is still needed
www.theguardian.com
November 23, 2024 at 12:13 PM
"Lottery grants were intended to work in addition to public funding, not to replace it. In propping up crumbling arts infrastructure, the lottery has helped let governments off the hook. Funding for the arts should not depend on crossing our fingers." www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Benjamin Monk
“Write every day” is really good advice as long as the bar is incredibly low imo. Write even one word every day and you’re nailing it. Understand that most of it will be garbage no one ever sees. Writing every day is the practice of making your ego less important than actually making stuff.
November 23, 2024 at 3:58 PM
“Write every day” is really good advice as long as the bar is incredibly low imo. Write even one word every day and you’re nailing it. Understand that most of it will be garbage no one ever sees. Writing every day is the practice of making your ego less important than actually making stuff.
Reposted by Benjamin Monk
dear theatre, one day we will wonder why so many chose exclusion rather than inclusion
November 23, 2024 at 9:41 AM
dear theatre, one day we will wonder why so many chose exclusion rather than inclusion
Reposted by Benjamin Monk
One thing I find interesting about the echo chamber complaint is that an echo chamber just won a presidential election.
Put aside the convo of whether it’s “good” or “bad” for a moment. The far right has devoted enormous resources + time to building echo chambers & loathes spaces they don’t control
Put aside the convo of whether it’s “good” or “bad” for a moment. The far right has devoted enormous resources + time to building echo chambers & loathes spaces they don’t control
The "bluesky is an echo chamber" think pieces that keep popping up really tickle me because they show how certain people genuinely believe social media should be for debating and arguing and not talking about the things that make you happy and sharing art with the world.
November 23, 2024 at 1:29 AM
One thing I find interesting about the echo chamber complaint is that an echo chamber just won a presidential election.
Put aside the convo of whether it’s “good” or “bad” for a moment. The far right has devoted enormous resources + time to building echo chambers & loathes spaces they don’t control
Put aside the convo of whether it’s “good” or “bad” for a moment. The far right has devoted enormous resources + time to building echo chambers & loathes spaces they don’t control
Reposted by Benjamin Monk
New resources are now live on our Support pages, focusing on Global Conflict and The Climate Crisis. Explore support for arts freelancers, ways to contribute to change, and a growing library of tools.
Learn more here: freelancersmaketheatrework.com/global-confl...
#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
Learn more here: freelancersmaketheatrework.com/global-confl...
#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
Introducing New Resources: Global Conflict & The Climate Crisis - Freelancers make theatre work
Our new resources cover Global Conflict and The Climate Crisis, the support available for freelancers and what we as freelancers.
freelancersmaketheatrework.com
November 21, 2024 at 3:33 PM
New resources are now live on our Support pages, focusing on Global Conflict and The Climate Crisis. Explore support for arts freelancers, ways to contribute to change, and a growing library of tools.
Learn more here: freelancersmaketheatrework.com/global-confl...
#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
Learn more here: freelancersmaketheatrework.com/global-confl...
#FreelancersMakeTheatreWork
Reposted by Benjamin Monk
Some important news: American Theatre is now on Bluesky, so now not only can I repost our stuff here, you can follow us directly at @americantheatre.bsky.social.
November 20, 2024 at 10:41 PM
Some important news: American Theatre is now on Bluesky, so now not only can I repost our stuff here, you can follow us directly at @americantheatre.bsky.social.
Reposted by Benjamin Monk
My essential Theatre books which I use all the time :
2: Theatre of The Oppressed - Augusto Boal
This, with Boal’s Games For Actors and Non Actors, has been my guide to practical, democratic theatre making. This year, I’ve used Boal as inspiration in my playwriting classes and workshops
2: Theatre of The Oppressed - Augusto Boal
This, with Boal’s Games For Actors and Non Actors, has been my guide to practical, democratic theatre making. This year, I’ve used Boal as inspiration in my playwriting classes and workshops
November 20, 2024 at 8:38 AM
My essential Theatre books which I use all the time :
2: Theatre of The Oppressed - Augusto Boal
This, with Boal’s Games For Actors and Non Actors, has been my guide to practical, democratic theatre making. This year, I’ve used Boal as inspiration in my playwriting classes and workshops
2: Theatre of The Oppressed - Augusto Boal
This, with Boal’s Games For Actors and Non Actors, has been my guide to practical, democratic theatre making. This year, I’ve used Boal as inspiration in my playwriting classes and workshops
Reposted by Benjamin Monk
Over the next 20 days
My 20 essential Theatre books
1: IMPRO - Keith Johnstone
My foundational text. The most direct route to creativity. I couldn’t have been a playwright without it. Plus the essential sequel IMPRO FOR STORYTELLERS
My 20 essential Theatre books
1: IMPRO - Keith Johnstone
My foundational text. The most direct route to creativity. I couldn’t have been a playwright without it. Plus the essential sequel IMPRO FOR STORYTELLERS
November 19, 2024 at 9:46 AM
Over the next 20 days
My 20 essential Theatre books
1: IMPRO - Keith Johnstone
My foundational text. The most direct route to creativity. I couldn’t have been a playwright without it. Plus the essential sequel IMPRO FOR STORYTELLERS
My 20 essential Theatre books
1: IMPRO - Keith Johnstone
My foundational text. The most direct route to creativity. I couldn’t have been a playwright without it. Plus the essential sequel IMPRO FOR STORYTELLERS
Reposted by Benjamin Monk
People talk about “leaving theatre” but there’s a big difference between the industry and the artform.
I’ve spent the last week making political theatre with young people in Hackney and I really am at the happiest when away from the industry and it’s games 🫣
November 19, 2024 at 10:53 AM
People talk about “leaving theatre” but there’s a big difference between the industry and the artform.
Reposted by Benjamin Monk
Labour source: "For someone who’s not doing it to avoid inheritance tax, he seems to have an intimate knowledge of the next step he’s going to take to avoid inheritance tax."
Jeremy Clarkson on the inheritance tax changes: "People like me will simply put it in a trust, and so long as I live for seven years, that’s fine ... but it’s incredibly time consuming to have to do that, and why should all these people have to do that?”
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/victor...
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/victor...
Victoria Derbyshire Clashes With Jeremy Clarkson As Farmers Protest Over Budget
Thousands turned up to oppose changes to inheritance tax rules.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
November 19, 2024 at 2:56 PM
Labour source: "For someone who’s not doing it to avoid inheritance tax, he seems to have an intimate knowledge of the next step he’s going to take to avoid inheritance tax."
Reposted by Benjamin Monk
Read the full post here:
exeuntmagazine.substack.com/p/on-bringin...
exeuntmagazine.substack.com/p/on-bringin...
November 19, 2024 at 10:39 AM
Read the full post here:
exeuntmagazine.substack.com/p/on-bringin...
exeuntmagazine.substack.com/p/on-bringin...