Gate Theatre Masterclass: Anna Herrmann

Anna Herrmann Masterclass

**APPLICATIONS FOR THIS MASTERCLASS HAVE NOW CLOSED**

The Gate Theatre is pleased to announce the next event in its Masterclass series.

On Saturday 14th October, Anna Hermann, Artistic Director of Clean Break, will host a session for women theatre-makers. The Masterclass will run from 10.00 to 16.30.

Based in London, Clean Break uses theatre to keep the subject of women in prison on the cultural radar. Through their unique work, they raise difficult questions, inspire debate, and help to effect profound and positive change in the lives of women with experience of the criminal justice system.

Since 1979, Clean Break has been the only women’s theatre company of its kind, and they continue to inspire playwrights and captivate audiences with their ground-breaking plays on the complex theme of women and criminalisation.

Clean Break’s women-only identity is crucial to its rationale. The treatment of women by the criminal justice system is one of the clearest demonstrations that our society is still unequal and that women are judged by different standards to men. Clean Break’s vision is of a society where women can realise their full potential, free from criminalisation, and we believe that theatre enables women to challenge their oppression by society in general and by the criminal justice system in particular.

Topics that will be covered as part of this Masterclass will include:

• The principles underpinning Clean Break’s practice
• Building safer spaces for women
• How to set and maintain boundaries
• Inclusive and anti-oppressive practice
• How to manage challenging situations with women in vulnerable circumstances
• Exploring exercises to support women in reaching their full potential

Criteria

The Masterclass is open to women theatre-makers resident on the island of Ireland. Applicants must be available to attend the session in-person at the Gate Theatre on Saturday 14th October 2023. The session will not be available remotely or digitally.

Please note that places will be strictly limited and that spaces will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis and in conjunction with the criteria.

How to attend

Please submit your latest CV and 200 words on why you would like to attend this Masterclass to production@gate-theatre.ie. Please include in the subject line: Anna Herrmann Masterclass. Deadline to apply is 4.00pm on Saturday 7th October 2023. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered. In your email, please let us know if you have any special access requirements. Successful applicants will be contacted by Tuesday 10th October 2023.

Please note that the Gate Theatre’s decision on participants is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

About

Anna Herrmann is Artistic Director of Clean Break. She has been working in the field of theatre and social change for over thirty years, specialising in theatre and participation in the UK and abroad. She joined Clean Break as Head of Education in 2002, becoming Joint Artistic Director/Joint CEO in 2018. With Clean Break she has directed Through This Mist (co-directed with Gate Artistic Director Róisín McBrinn), Sweatbox (national tour and film), Not Pretty Like The Rainbow (national tour) and Catch (national tour). In July 2020 Anna was elected as Co-chair of the National Criminal Justice Arts Alliance, stepping down in July 2022.