Positive steps towards gender equality in European theatres are not yet enough to overcome a “predominantly male environment,” a new study finds.
Gender Equality in European Theatres and Artistic Programmes 2024, written for the European Theatre Convention (ETC) network of theatres by researchers from UC Louvain in Belgium, provides a snapshot of gender equality in theatre workforces and on stages by analysing data from 13 ETC theatres in 11 countries.
It finds that while gender parity “has been achieved” at staff and management levels by these theatres—and welcomes decisions to introduce new training courses or deliberately programme shows on gender issues—these developments are balanced against the continued dominance of men in senior leadership and decision-making positions.
Additional challenges are explored in “sobering” testimonies from emerging and mid-career theatre workers, highlighting unequal working conditions, expectations and career trajectories for people who identify as women or LGBTQIA+.
“The study covers a particularly challenging period for European theatres,” commented Heidi Wiley, ETC Executive Director, “including financial cuts, reduced audiences, and a pressing need to adjust to climate breakdown. It is understandable that progress has been slow in the aftermath of the COVID pandemic and its consequences, but it is reassuring to see positive trends across Europe towards gender equality which can direct our efforts in the coming years.“
Second ETC Study on Gender Equality and Diversity
The study, launched during European Gender Equality Week 2024, was written by researchers Jacinthe Mazzocchetti, Sarah Sepulchre and Justine Vanhaelen. It is an update of previous research for ETC by UC Louvain in 2021, which found empirical evidence that theatres led by women were more likely to employ diverse staff.
Alongside the qualitative and quantitative data, the new study also includes a cross-Europe review of reports on gender equality in the performing arts.
Main conclusions:
- More than 2/3 the 299 productions analysed were directed and written by cisgender men
- Nine out of 13 theatres had boards of directors chaired by men
- Independent venues with smaller ticket sales were more likely to employ women than larger national institutions
- Nonetheless, gender parity “has been achieved in the participating theatres” at the staff and general management levels.
The testimonies in the second part of the report also reveal that many women deal with the mental load and pressure of working in a “predominantly male environment.”
Study researchers Jacinthe Mazzocchetti, Sarah Sepulchre and Justine Vanhaelen from UC Louvain commented: "We were not surprised to find that men still dominate leadership roles in European theatres. But the qualitative interviews are a sobering reminder that for all the individual advances on gender equality, across programming, casting and organisational practices, there are still too many inequities facing people who identify as female and LGBTQIA+ in theatre.”
Alongside the study, ETC has produced a policy briefing for European, national and local policy makers to ensure greater gender equality in European Theatre institutions across the continent.
It also comes as ETC launches its new programme of activities for 2024-2028, BREAK THE MOULD, which is co-funded by the European Union and continues to highlight gender equality as a key part of upcoming activities.
The full study can be read on the ETC website.
Photo credit: No Revisions on Unsplash
Contact
Christy Romer, ETC Communication Manager communication@europeantheatre.eu
