CHANGING DIRECTION: ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR
“An Associate Director scheme like this is an opportunity to equip Deaf directors with everything they need to enter a rehearsal room and say ’I know what the f*@k I’m talking about’” - Deaf Consultee, 2020
Ad Infinitum launched Changing Direction in May 2024, a new programme for a talented theatre director who wants to take their career to the next level. This Associate Director position is for a Deaf artist from the Sign Language community to work with Ad Infinitum to design and take on a role that is tailored to them. We were thrilled to appoint Mary-Jayne Russell de Clifford as our first associate director.
Below you’ll find info in BSL and English all about the role and how we co-created it.
about changing direction
Click play to watch in BSL. Video by David Ellington.
The Changing Direction Associate Director role has been co-designed in consultation with and in collaboration with Deaf and hearing artists and leaders in the theatre sector. Changing Direction is a bespoke journey with the Associate Director to develop their practice, experience and leadership skills.
Changing Direction aims to inspire, and be part of, a sector-wide effort to address the barriers and lack of opportunities for Deaf talent - specifically for directors who are Deaf, part of the Sign Language community, and who have historically been underserved and underrepresented.
'“I believe the cycle can be broken. We are planting seeds for change and growth” - Deaf Consultee, 2020
A Note on Language:
We recognise that language in the area of identity is contested and evolving. There is no strong consensus on acceptable language yet. Understanding this we have chosen to use the terms ‘Deaf’ and ‘Sign Language Users/Community’ but respect that there are a range of terms in use that others will prefer.
About our work on Changing Direction
Ad Infinitum has been working with Deaf artists and leaders since 2012, collaborating on multiple theatre productions, working on commissions and developing our organisation to improve accessibility, representation and Deaf Awareness.
For years, Deaf colleagues have shared their frustration with us in trying to make a career as a theatre director in the mainstream hearing world, especially as Sign Language users. In 2020, we decided to do something about it. We held a series of in-depth paid consultations and co-design sessions with multiple Deaf artists from 2020-2024, imagining a new programme for an aspiring director.
Click the button below to watch (in BSL) or read (in English) the report we created detailing the consultations we held, what Deaf artists told us, and the conclusions we reached.
About Ad Infinitum
Ad Infinitum is a diverse-led company based in Bristol dedicated to making accessible, inclusive and captivating theatre, led by Co-Artistic Directors George Mann and Nir Paldi.
Since founding in 2007, we have dedicated our artistic platform, as a multi-award winning, nationally-reaching devising theatre company, to championing marginalised voices in theatre and reaching underserved audiences. In 2023, we became an Arts Council NPO.
Core team:
Co-Founders/Artistic Directors - Nir Paldi and George Mann
Executive Director - Polly Davis
Finance and Operations Manager - Peter Vanderford
Head of Communications and Engagement - Emma Macnair
Producer - Mia Lake
Trustees:
Ad Infinitum’s Board of Trustees, chaired by Lauren Clancy, former Executive Director of Bush Theatre and current Interim Chief Executive of Oldham Coliseum, represent a group of local, national and international experts from across the cultural, political activism, corporate & charity sectors. They bring a broad range of perspectives and lived experience including LGBT+, low socio-economic background, Deaf and ethnic minority representation to the organisation.
