Actors Touring Company makes senior appointment

DUBHEASA LANIPEKUN has been named associate director at the Actors Touring Company (ATC), a new role enabled by support from the Esmée Fairbairn Foundation, the John Ellerman Foundation and the Wates Foundation.

Lanipekun will hold the role for 12 months and funding has been confirmed to support two further year-long associate director posts with the company in the future.

The role, which is specifically designed to provide greater opportunities for those who have encountered barriers to employment, offers an opportunity to gain insight into the work of a touring company and to input into the development of the company’s artistic vision.

A theatre maker, filmmaker and photographer, Lanipekun’s work focuses on themes of liberation and politicised lives.

She has directed with companies such as the Bush Theatre, Talawa, and Theatre Peckham. As an associate/assistant director, she has worked at venues including the Almeida Theatre, Chichester Festival Theatre and Kiln Theatre.

On her appointment, Lanipekun commented: “I’m very excited to be working with ATC. Their mission to amplify global artists and tour international stories across the UK is both a radical and hopeful one, as it holds sacred the power of theatre to be both deeply provocative and inspiring.

“It is hard not to think about it nationally, after a summer of far-right fascist rioting, and internationally, amidst ongoing crises, particularly the genocide in Gaza, how commitment to solidarity may shape this role.

“I aim to approach it with compassion, rage and curiosity. I particularly can’t wait to put my creative energies into the participation and outreach wraparound work that will accompany Tambo & Bones. There has been a systematic devaluing of the arts and we need to get it back on the curriculum.”

Artistic director MATTEW XIA added: “Dubheasa brings a wealth of experience as a director and theatremaker, having assisted on high-level professional productions and led impactful outreach and education programmes.

“Her passion for storytelling and commitment to social change, especially within marginalised communities, aligns perfectly with ATC’s mission. We are excited to see how her influence will shape ATC and our future projects.”