What is the Anti-Racism Touring Rider?
The Anti-Racism Touring Rider was launched in June 2021 as a step towards more equitable working conditions for touring shows and events.
Touring companies, venues and freelancers across the country fed into the consultation process for the rider, resulting in a 8-page document detailing actions and suggestions that producers and venue managers commit to when touring a show. It has been compiled with the aim it is applicable to any touring production or company, irrespective of scale or remit, and covers actions to be used as a baseline leading up to touring. It provides a 360-approach encompassing all aspects of the production - from the first engagements with venues, wellbeing and pastoral care, marketing, and throughout all aspects of the run. The rider is one of the actions listed on Unlock, an anti-racism toolkit from Inc Arts for recruitment, leadership and the workplace.
What are its aims?
The rider seeks standardise practice across the UK to safeguard companies, productions and venues, paving the way for greater equality and safe practice. It also aims to foster closer working relationships between companies and venues, with the intention of providing a consistent standard of care and commitment both from the theatres and producers.
How was it created?
The rider was created in response to personal testimonies and feedback from over 100 freelancers, co-ordinated by a group of 15 national touring theatre companies, and spearheaded by Amanda Huxtable, Rowan Rutter (HighTide), Richard Twyman (English Touring Theatre) and Lian Wilkinson (New Earth Theatre).
For a full list of the organisations who co-ordinated and support the Rider, please visit the Anti-Racism Touring Rider website.
UK Theatre and the Anti-Racism Touring Rider
We welcome the Anti-Racism Touring Rider as a useful contribution to the discussions around making our venues safer, more inclusive and more welcoming.
We have formed a working group of UK Theatre members to consult with on the practical application of the Rider. The purpose of this working group is to provide constructive feedback to the Anti-Racism Touring Rider Committee to feed into future developments of the Rider as a practical anti-racist resource for venues, touring companies and producers.
UK Theatre sit on the Anti-Racism Touring Rider Committee.
Visit the Anti-Racism Touring Rider websiteDownload the Anti-Racism Touring Rider (pdf)Download the Anti-Racism Touring Rider Checklist
Please visit the Anti-Racism Touring Rider website for large print, easy read, audio, BSL and screen reader versions of the Rider.
