Vital Xposure is a disabled-led touring theatre company that promotes hidden voices with extraordinary stories to tell.
Our mission is to create exciting, innovative theatrical experiences for audiences, artists and communities alike. All work presents an inclusive experience where access issues do not intrude upon the aesthetic of the productions.
Vital Xposure was founded by disabled artist and activist Julie McNamara, who led the company’s creative work and artistic vision for its first decade. From January 2021, the torch has been passed on to actor, playwright and activist, Simon Startin.
We engage with hidden voices with incredible stories to tell from the periphery of our communities.
We create highly visual work that blends strong imagery with provocative literary narrative.
We challenge common assumptions and inequality.
We push boundaries opening new ways to engage with the arts.
We work in partnership with organisations and artists both nationally and internationally.
Access for all is at the heart of everything we do.
We promote the full participation into the arts of Deaf and Disabled individuals and people excluded by mainstream society including LGBQT individuals and anyone unrepresented because of their race, gender, sexual orientation or social status.
Our team is committed to ensuring a safe, inclusive and collaborative environment in all our productions, where artists feel supported through their own professional and creative journey with us:
“Vital Xposure gave me the creative release other parts of my career lack.”
David Abra, Lighting Designer
“I found it made me realise that freedom to speak up about situations in rehearsal is really important.”
Fatima Niemogha, Actor
“Working with the crew of Vital Xposure has given me more confidence in myself and in being myself with various other projects that I have or will be part of.”
Eden West, Actor
“I love working with Vital Xposure. I feel valued and respected.” The work is groundbreaking, inspiring, political and creative. It is rare for me to work in an environment in which I feel so safe, where there is an awareness of discrimination and a commitment to working inclusively.”
Deni Francis, Actor
“Working with Vital Xposure has raised the bar in terms of working relationships. I now want to work with people, not professionals, but people who know that the song, the tears and blood are part of the story making, people who are fierce in their caring and dreaming, folks with heart and integrity.”
Vital Xposure commissioned writer
Showreel editor: Phil Bearman, Creative Media Solutions
Click here to watch the showreel with audio description (a new page opens on YouTube)
Our work is driven by social justice and appeals to a wide range of people interested in new writing, in voices from the political periphery, in LGBTQ+ and feminist theatre. Vital Xposure’s signature style appeals to people who enjoy bold narratives, high powered and challenging stories with a Disability-led access aesthetic:
“These beautifully crafted vignettes ripple with humour and humanity, struggle and desire. As theatre, The Butch Monologues is as important a piece of social activism as Dean Bryant’s Gaybies.”
Cameron Woodhead, The Sydney Morning Herald, ****
“Every time I see a Vital Xposure show I’m reminded that the world disables people, they aren’t born that way.”
Audience member, Voices from the Knitting Circle
“Very grateful for the film and for the whole evening. It crystallised lots of thoughts for me around how women and outsiders are hated. I feel inspired to fight somehow.”
Audience member, Blue Pen
Our values are:
Social Justice
Excellence
Inclusion
Integrity
Collaboration
Vital Xposure was founded in 2011, the following year we became an Arts Council England’s National Portfolio Organisation (NPO). We are grateful for the public investment we have received and we continue to be an NPO for the funding period 2018 – 2022. We are also thankful to City Bridge Trust, Without Walls and The Funding Network for supporting our work.
We are a registered Charity (No 1161464) and a Company Limited by Guarantee registered in England and Wales (No 07488858).
We are a member of the Independent Theatre Council (ITC) and of the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO).
