Community Connector (Freelance)

EXXY is a new performance by Dan Daw Creative Projects (DDCP), a company led by working-class, queer, disabled artists. The production follows on from the critical acclaim and international tour of their previous work The Dan Daw Show. EXXY is about the clash between Dan’s ambition to take up space and create the disabled-led performance that is currently missing from large stages, and the self-doubt that has been imposed on him as a working-class, queer, disabled artist. EXXY is DDCP’s first large scale show and is being co-produced by Battersea Arts Centre. It has been co-commissioned by Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts, Battersea Arts Centre, Transform, Take Me Somewhere and Tramway for the New Dimensions commission, which supports artists who are ready to dream big and create a new work of scale that can tour nationally and internationally.

‘Exxy’ is Australian slang for ‘expensive’. The starting point of the show has been the concept of ‘imposter syndrome’, described as an internal fear of being found out to not be good enough, no matter your accomplishments.

Dan will be performing in EXXY alongside an ensemble of three other performers who identify as disabled. The performances at Leeds Playhouse include accessible features such as integrated captioning and creative audio description. Transform’s ticketing approach is Pay What You Can, ensuring where possible that finance is not a barrier for audiences. Transform also has an accessible methodology across the festival including chill out spaces at venues and a relaxed approach.

Who we are looking for

In the lead-up to the performances of EXXY as part of Transform 25, we are looking for a Community Connector to support us to reach disabled audiences in Leeds. The Community Connector is a role that will advocate for the show to individuals, groups and communities in Leeds with lived experience that relates to the show and its themes. They might be someone passionate about the role that performance, theatre and community events can play and who understands the importance of seeing themselves and their communities represented on stage.

The Community Connector will be someone who loves to talk to and engage with people, and who feels excited and motivated by the idea of encouraging people to take a chance on coming to see the show.

For these performances, we are particularly keen to engage audiences who identify as d/Deaf, disabled or neurodiverse. As such we are looking for a Community Connector with related lived experience.

We think it’s really important that the people whose stories are represented within EXXY (people who identify as d/Deaf, disabled, neurodivergent, working class or queer), come and see the show and that they feel really comfortable doing so. Alongside reaching disabled audiences for the show, we’re also keen to connect with those who come from lower socio-economic backgrounds and those identifying as LGBTQ+, as well as identifying and engaging audiences that sit at the intersection of these different characteristics.

Due to the nature of this role being focused on connecting with audiences in Leeds, we want to work with a Community Connector who lives or works in and around the city.

The structure of the role

This is a flexible freelance role of a total 30 hours (approx 3-4 days work) to be undertaken in September and October. The activity will be influenced in discussion with you but follow these broad phases:

Phase 1: Research

• Meeting the Transform team and the Dan Daw Creative Projects team to discuss the process and implementation around targeting and reaching different groups and networks for the show and agreeing goals.
• Creating and populating a tracker of researched networks and their contacts to reach in the delivery phase.
• Liaising around any supporting materials needed for online and in-person delivery of the engagement.

Phase 2: Delivery

• Coordinate the delivery of engagement to identified networks via phone-call, email and in-person networking, tracking progress and those reached and feeding back to the team.
• Regularly report back on progress of engagement to the team.
• Communicate clearly and hand over any outstanding conversations at the end of the engagement.

Phase 3: Evaluation

• Contribute to the evaluation of the project by attending a 1-hour Handover & Evaluation Meeting with the team.

What would make a good Community Connector

• Someone who is really embedded within d/Deaf or disabled or neurodivergent communities in Leeds, who also has understanding of working class and queer communities.
• Someone who is passionate about performance, theatre or events and knows how important it is to see yourself and/or your community represented on stage.
• Someone who loves to talk to people and can encourage people to take a chance on coming to see the show.
• Someone who can think of interesting and dynamic ways to reach the target audience, utilising the tools available and advocating for Transform’s Pay What You Can ticketing approach, and communicating the access provision available as part of the show, including creative audio description and integrated captioning.

What will the role be like?

• You’ll meet with the creative team behind the show and meet with other Community Connectors across the UK.
• You’ll also get to meet with the Transform, Leeds Playhouse and Dan Daw Creative Projects teams and together generate ideas and ways of connecting with new audiences.
• You’ll reach out to the communities – that might be through posting on Facebook groups, attending a community group or contacting local charities.
• You’ll have a free ticket to see the show and will have the chance to connect with other audiences and artists taking part in the Transform 25 festival.

Payment

As a Community Connector you will be paid £750 for your time (30 hours at £25 per hour). If you’re able to invoice as a self employed person then you can submit an invoice at the end of your time working on the project. If you cannot accept freelance payment for any reason, we can work out an alternative way to remunerate you for your time.

There will be a small expenses budget for you to travel to local community groups/locations which will be agreed with your contact at Transform and Dan Daw Creative Projects.

We have an allocated access budget for those who have access needs that need to be met in order to take on this role. This is something we will discuss with you if invited to an informal chat with the team.

Key Dates

Deadline for submissions: Monday 1 September at midday

Following submission of your expression of interest, you may be asked to attend an informal conversation with the team to discuss your experience and suitability for the role, which would be an online conversation on Monday 8 September.

Start date would be mid September, with end date following the final performances on the 22 and 23 October.

Please tell us why you’re interested in the role, explaining why you think you’d be great at helping us reach disabled audiences for the show.

No more than 750 words, or a 5 minute video or audio recording, if none of these are accessible for you, please get in touch and we can arrange an alternative method.

If you have any questions related to the role, please contact us on [email protected]

Submit this using our application form below:

Can I share the fee and the job with someone else?

Yes totally! Please apply together if preferred

I have a full-time job/other work – can I do this work flexibly?

Absolutely, as long as you have the time to carry out the work, it doesn’t matter when it happens.

What will I be able to offer people to encourage them to come and see the show?

You’ll be able to communicate Transform’s inclusive Pay What You Can ticketing model. You’ll be able to tell them about things like our pre-show access offer that might remove barriers for them coming to the show, and accessible performances.

About the Company

Dan Daw Creative Projects are a disabled-led company leading the way in creating accessible, international touring work that blurs the lines between theatre, dance and activism, alongside creating systemic change in the sector for d/Deaf and disabled artists and audiences.

About Transform 25

Transform 25 is a festival of powerful international performance, happening from 21-25 October right here in Leeds. Over 5 days this autumn, witness visceral theatre, dance and performance alongside intimate experiences and moments of assembly. The festival creates a meeting point for the bold, the electrifying, the reflective and the hopeful. Bringing artists from across the globe to Leeds, Transform 25 invites us to collectively gather and look to a different kind of future. With audacious stories, joyful irreverence and sometimes dark realities – this is art about now.

About Leeds Playhouse

Leeds Playhouse is one of the UK’s leading producing theatres; a cultural hub, a place where people gather to tell and share stories and to engage in world class theatre. It makes work which is pioneering and relevant, seeking out the best companies and artists to create inspirational theatre in the heart of Yorkshire. From large-scale spectacle to intimate performance we develop and make work for our stages, for found spaces, for touring, for schools and community centres. We create work to entertain and inspire.