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Birmingham Rep in Centenary Square, Birmingham
A group of thirteen people strike a pose for a photograph. All people are looking at the camera and are smiling. The atmosphere is cheerful.
Masterclasses & Workshops

Directors Link Up

Join our peer support network for directors

We’re excited to present this free, bi-monthly group for directors at any stage of their career. If you’re looking for an open and relaxed space to learn new directing techniques, get support from peers and share ideas, this is for you. At The Rep we are building a community of empowered directors in the West Midlands and we want you to be a part of it!

During these sessions, you will meet other directors to talk about topics affecting your area of practice, read scripts, discuss theatre shows and delve into directing approaches, theory and exercises. We will also give you a discounted ticket to see a show at The Rep after every session.

Led by The Rep’s in-house Associate Director Madeleine Kludje (GrimeBoy, City of a Thousand Trades) and featuring guest workshop leaders across the year, Directors Link Up offers a great place to connect and reflect.

 

Wed 22 Oct, 5.30pm (Creative Learning Hub)
A Conversation with Paula Garfield, MBE

This special edition of Directors link up will feature a conversation with Paula Garfield, the Artistic Director of Deafinitely Theatre.

Paula is an actor, director and field creative leader, and has worked on a variety of television, film and theatre projects throughout her career. In 2002, she established Deafinitely Theatre after becoming frustrated at the barriers that deaf actors and directors face across the arts and media industry.

Paula has produced and directed many plays and worked extensively in TV and her 2017 production of Contractions for Deafinitely Theatre won The Off West End Theatre Award (Offie) for ‘Best Production’, and her production of 4.48 Psychosis at New Diorama Theatre in 2019 was shortlisted for Best Director by Broadway World UK. Paula was also awarded the Tonic Award for her work at Deafinitely Theatre. In 2023, Paula directed a one night performance of The Vagina Monologues, raising money for Deaf-initely Women’s ongoing work to support deaf and deafblind survivors of domestic violence. She also worked with The Pied Piper Company on a new touring family show, Can Bears Ski? as well as writing and directing Deafinitely Theatre’s 2024 touring production, The Promise; a story about a deaf mother living with dementia.

Paula’s recent work included directing the revival of The Vagina Monologues for it’s UK regional touring debut and Barrier(s), the 2025 new writing co-production with Birmingham Repertory Theatre, Camden People’s Theatre and Leeds Playhouse.

If you would like to attend this special edition of Directors link up please email talent.development@birmingham-rep.co.uk and let us know if you have any access needs.

A creative leads a workshop wears loose clothing and points forwards.

Have a question?

For any questions or queries, please email Talent.Development@birmingham-rep.co.uk with the subject line ‘Directors Link Up’. If you need subsistence to be able to attend, please e-mail and we will be able to discuss options.

We want to make this group as accessible as possible and encourage directors with lived experience of D/deafness, disability or neurodiversity to sign up.