After 17 years at the helm at Red Ladder Theatre Company, Artistic Director Rod Dixon has announced he is leaving the company to help set up an Arts-Led, off-grid intentional community in Scotland at the end of the year.

For almost two decades, Rod has been instrumental in putting the work, ideals and values of Red Ladder Theatre Company centre stage. His energy, passion and commitment have been central to producing theatre that contributes to a more socially, environmentally and economically just world. From 2006, when he joined the company, Red Ladder’s work has widened its reach from small-scale touring to the main stages of the Liverpool Royal Court with Homebaked The Musical, Leeds Playhouse, The Lowry, York Theatre Royal, the Edinburgh Fringe and more with The Damned United, and many other prestigious venues over a number of national tours. He has also been a powerhouse of the Red Ladder ethos of bringing theatre to non-traditional venues, and audiences.

Rod has headed up a rich period of discovering and nurturing new talent as well as directing shows such as The Promised Land, Shed Crew, the aforementioned The Damned United, Mother Courage and Glory. He has helped to train and encourage hundreds of new actors and developed an impressive alumnus through Red Grit, Red Ladder’s unique, free and flexible alternative to formal acting training. In addition to helping many budding actors and supporting mid-career artists Rod has actively embraced working with early-career creatives like writers, set designers, lighting designers, sound designers and stage managers whose experience with Red Ladder has given them a springboard into the industry.

The company is very sorry to see Rod go and wishes him well for the next exciting chapter in his life; however, his departure leaves considerably large Doc Martens to fill! The Red Ladder Board has brought together an Artistic Direction Working Group to determine the way forward for the company. The Group is currently exploring what the future artistic direction may look like for Red Ladder Theatre Company as an Arts Council England-funded national portfolio organisation and will be consulting with a wide range of stakeholders and voices within the theatre community.

It’s a very exciting time for the company as we go forward into our new chapter. We are completely open as to what our future artistic direction might be but remain committed to our Vision, Mission and Values: we are a radical theatre company producing new theatre that contributes to social change; we take risks and challenge the idea of theatre and who it is for; we have a human heart and equality and justice are at the centre of all we do.

The application process for a new Artistic Director is likely to begin in July 2023. If you have any questions in the meantime you can contact the Artistic Direction Working Group directly by emailing recruitment@redladder.co.uk.