Our Impact
Since its founding in 2012, Vertebra Theatre CIC has worked at the intersection of art, community, and social change, using physical theatre, puppetry, and expanded scenography to give voice to stories that are often silenced. Across more than a decade of activity, our projects have reached diverse communities in over 10 countries, engaging audiences, participants, and partners through performances, workshops, and cross-cultural collaborations.
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Empowering Communities
At the heart of our work lies the belief that theatre is not only a space for artistic expression but also a tool for healing, empathy, and empowerment. We have collaborated with communities affected by migration, displacement, and gender-based violence, providing platforms for shared storytelling and creative participation. Through community workshops, residencies, and public dialogues, we create inclusive environments where participants explore themes such as identity, resilience, and belonging — using movement, voice, and image to connect across cultures and languages. Our projects have partnered with schools, universities, care homes, refugee centres, and local councils, bringing artistic practice into spaces where it can make tangible social impact.
Global Reach and Local Change
Since 2012, Vertebra Theatre has delivered community engagement projects across the UK, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, including:
- UK, 2012–2024: Workshops with women’s groups exploring medical subjects and gender through body and myth.
- Greece, 2014: Our short film about immigration, The Waltz of Lost Dreams, was chosen as one of the best ten films at the Onassis Cultural Festival in Athens.
- UK, 2016: We ran the Homeland festival in collaboration with RBKC about the refugee crisis in Syria.
We have been supported by the Arts Council of England, Age UK, Camden Council, the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea Council, Little Angel Theatre, University College London (UCL), Jewish Care, Care UK, East Side Institute of New York and Premiere Care Homes.
- New York, 2019: Collaboration with the East Side Institute on social therapeutics and co-production models of learning and community development.
- Jordan, 2024: Physical Theatre workshop at Al Balad Theatre as part of Electra Untitled outreach.
- Pakistan, 2024:Electra Untitled performances and youth workshops at the MAAS Foundation Festival in Lahore, reaching over 800 audience members and engaging students from the University of Punjab.
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Inclusive and Accessible Practice
As a disabled-led and queer-led company, we are committed to accessibility and inclusion. We embed the social model of disability, expanded scenography, and co-production principles in every stage of our process. Our monthly Action Learning Platform (launched in 2024) brings together artists, community members, and partners to share experiences and reflect on inclusive creative practice. This structure ensures that our projects evolve responsively — rooted in care, collaboration, and mutual respect.
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Creative Highlights
• Electra Untitled – A feminist, physical theatre reimagining of Sophocles’ tragedy, tackling domestic violence and inherited trauma through movement and autobiography.
• Dark Matter – A visual and sonic exploration of ageing, dementia, and the cosmos, co-created with older communities and care institutions.
• Medusa Opera – A hybrid opera examining female mythologies and migration, developed in collaboration with international artists.
• At the Heart of Things – A participatory performance exploring grief, loss, and connection in post-pandemic times.
Our Impact in Numbers
• 13 years of artistic and social impact (2012–2025)
• 10 countries engaged through international touring and workshops
• 5,000+ participants in performances, workshops, and community programmes
• 20+ institutional partners across arts, academia, and health sectors
• 100+ artists supported through collaboration, training, and professional development
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Our Ongoing Mission
Vertebra Theatre continues to expand its impact through international partnerships, creative learning programmes, and inclusive touring models. We aim to cultivate spaces where art becomes a language of connection — bridging differences, nurturing empathy, and inspiring action.
“We believe that creativity can be a form of care — a way of re-imagining how we live together, heal together, and dream collectively.”