Visibility matters to mums in theatre

Having children shouldn’t affect a woman’s career. Yet for many mothers in the theatre industry, this is the reality.

The Rhiannon Faith Company (RFC) in Essex is proving just what can happen when the industry works with parents instead of putting up barriers. The company supports performers by funding childcare, looks after children during rehearsals and helps parents travel with families whilst on tour. This incredible support means that some mothers don’t have to choose between working and childcare.

These measures should be available in every workplace. Women shouldn’t have to put their careers on hold, turn down opportunities or prove their commitment at the expense of choosing to have a family.

The Pledge from Parents and Carers in Performing Arts (PiPA) encourages performing arts organisations to improve working practices by recognising the challenges faced by mothers. By November last year, over 80 organisations had signed up, including the National Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company. Signing a pledge is only the beginning. What matters is what happens next, how do plans evolve and how does the support continue.

Freelancers make up a significant part of theatre. It can be a highly pressurised industry with unpredictable contracts, long days, anti-social hours, last minute work commitments - so add in juggling family life and expensive childcare, working can seem impossible and a financial struggle.

Talent doesn’t disappear when you become a mum, but opportunities do. If anything, mothers bring a wealth of skills to theatre - from creativity and problem-solving to multi-tasking, organisation, resilience and more. They deserve opportunities like anyone else rather than being overlooked.

The industry shouldn’t assume that mothers can’t cope with its demands but should be asking the question ‘how can we help you?’. It risks losing more and more women every day if it doesn’t start listening.

There are many high-profile mothers working in theatre, including Carrie Hope Fletcher. In August she wrote this piece in The Stage entitled ‘Theatre isn’t built for performers with children. We must speak out to change that.’ It’s important for mothers with big followers to use their platforms to raise awareness of the issue and have these conversations. However, shouldn’t these dialogues be happening regardless and being taken seriously by the industry.

It’s sad that we’re writing this blog again. We explored these issues over a year ago, yet it feels as though little has changed.

We work with talented women because they are brilliant at what they do, whether they’re mums or not. As advocates for women working both on and off stage, we’re committed to supporting mothers in every role they take on, recognising their talent, championing their contribution and helping create an industry where women can thrive at every stage of life.

The industry needs mothers. It retains not only great talent and experience but also makes it stronger and richer for us all. The industry needs to listen and make changes now.