Freelancers Make Theatre Work
Anti-racism in theatre and live performance
Practical information, support and resources for freelancers, organisations and anyone working across the performing arts.
Anti-racism requires action
This hub brings together practical steps, specialist support, community networks, learning tools and historical resources. It is designed for people who experience or witness racism, as well as colleagues, employers, commissioners, producers and organisations.
Choose the route that best matches what you need now. You can move between sections at any time.
A note about language
Language around race changes, and no single umbrella term works for everyone. We use specific community names wherever possible and respect the language people and organisations use about themselves. Some linked resources may use different or older terms. Where that happens we will flag it rather than adopt that language ourselves.
Find what you need
Choose where to start
Choose the route that best matches what you need today. You can move between sections at any time.
SUPPORT AND REPORTING
I have experienced or witnessed racism
Find practical first steps, confidential advice, information about reporting and specialist support for people who experience or witness racism.
Your working practice
I want to make anti-racism part of my freelance practice
Use practical questions and actions before, during and after a job, whatever your role or level of influence.
Responsibility and leadership
I engage, commission, manage freelancers
Find actions, standards and resources for creating safer, fairer working environments and responding responsibly when harm occurs.
NETWORKS AND COMMUNITY
I want to find people, opportunities and community
Explore organisations, networks, opportunities and specialist spaces led by and supporting communities affected by racism.
TOOLS AND LEARNING
I want practical tools and deeper learning
Find workplace tools, riders, research, training and further learning to support continuing anti-racist practice.
HISTORY AND CONTEXT
I want to explore the histories that shape our sector
Explore archives, oral histories and research about theatre, racism, resistance and community organising.
OUR COMMITMENT
Anti-racism is ongoing work
Freelancers Make Theatre Work recognises that being anti-racist requires continued action, reflection and accountability. It is not something that can be completed by publishing a statement or a list of resources.
We commit to:
• Listening to and learning from freelancers affected by racism, without placing the responsibility for change on those who experience harm.
• Examining our own language, structures, decisions, partnerships, commissioning and platforms.
• Using our channels to amplify evidence, campaigns, resources and work led by communities affected by racism.
• Challenging racism and inequity across theatre and live performance, including where it intersects with class, disability, gender, sexuality, faith, nationality and migration status.
• Reviewing these commitments, acknowledging and correcting mistakes, and being honest about work that remains incomplete.
KEEPING THIS HUB USEFUL
Help us improve this resource
Language, organisations and available support change. We aim to review this hub and its supporting pages at least once a year and make earlier updates when we learn about broken links, changed services, significant developments or important omissions.
We welcome corrections, accessibility feedback and suggestions for relevant community-led resources. We cannot promise to include every submission, but we will consider each one.
Last substantive review: September 2026
Send feedback or suggest a resource
Important limitations
FMTW is not a regulator, reporting body, legal adviser or emergency service. We cannot investigate complaints or provide legal representation. The routes and organisations signposted here can help you find specialist support.
External links are for signposting only. Inclusion does not mean we endorse everything an organisation does or says. This hub is a starting point and cannot cover every experience, community or resource.