VX Labs

A three-year programme that will bring innovation in theatre-making

Photo of the Quiet Rebels theatre set. Designer: Simon Kenny

Overview (skip to content)

The Vital Xposure Laboratories (VX Labs) are a new, cutting-edge three-year development programme, supported through an uplift in the company’s core ACE funding for 2023-2026, that will allow us to initiate new explorations of disabled-led practices, pursue disabled excellence and support intersectional practices within our sector.

VX Labs Labs are held spaces for debate, innovation, experimentation and career development in a collaborative residential model.

We will be ambitious about access in process and performance, celebrate intersectionality and invite in those artists not yet represented, and ask pressing, difficult questions which can shape the sector to remove barriers preventing artists from all walks of life achieving artistic excellence.

“We don’t want to write stories about disability. We want to write stories about us as people, with all our complexities- much the same as everyone else”

VX Labs consultation, autumn 2023

Consultation report

Our initial projects are grounded in our Autumn 2023 national consultation. Dr Mandy Precious met with 94 disabled d/Deaf and Neurodivergent artists in a variety of contexts and locations (Oxford, Peterborough, Coventry, Leicester, Leeds, Newcastle, London and online) to produce our initial VX Labs report.

This report detailed the barriers faced in lack of ambition and access, the desire to make better, more diverse work, and the reality of the limited opportunities afforded to disabled artists currently.

The Executive Summary of the report is available to download on this page. For the full report, contact us on intouch@vitalxposure.co.uk

VX Labs Executive Summary Report – PDF

VX Labs Executive Summary Report – TEXT ONLY

VX Labs Executive Summary Report Executive Summary in BSL:

Programme details

Reflecting on the findings, we have devised a program of seven initial Labs addressing a range of questions and needs.

Each will be realised with sector and academic partners to provide a two/three week investigation to answer a core hypothesis. At each opportunity we will find ways to involve local communities and artists.

Each Lab will result in a report and findings distributed to the sector and beyond. Alongside Stephen and Mandy we have selected an Artist Panel representing a diverse cross-section of practice, experience and location to maximise benefit for the whole artistic community.

We are interested in new conversations and questions, not recapping existing discussions. This is a place of learning for all involved.

Labs in 2024 – 2025 include the following:

Creative Captioning in multi-lingual plays (Autumn 2024) – Read more
Decolonising Disability (Spring 2025) – Read more
Children and Young People (Spring 2025) – Read more

Future Labs:

Vital Xposure will convene one more Lab in 2025, two more in 2026 and a final Lab in 2027. We are developing the focus of these projects through continued consultation. Get in touch if you wish to find out more.

Fulfilling Vital Xposure’s commitment as a touring company, each Lab will be delivered in collaboration with regional partners.

We welcome approaches and expressions of interest around mentioned topics and other disabled-focused initiatives organisations may be engaged with. Our focus is expanding, promoting and upskilling disabled, d/Deaf and Neurodivergent creativity across the country while diversifying the stories and participants in disabled-led work.

Artist Panel

The Artist Panel is a collegial forum to share ideas and thoughts, acting as a sounding board for VX’s Lab Programme.

The panel will meet between two and four times a year to ask insightful questions that encourage the programme to develop clarity on findings, and processes, and next steps. As a forum for honest, open reflection, the panel will encourage us to be innovative in driving forward change through the Labs programme and share insight as to how the work and findings of the Labs can be applied to the benefit of disabled artists in the sector.

Black and white close-up photo of a white blonde woman. She looks to the camera and smiles cheerfully.

Stevie Cairns (she / her)

Stevie is a Visually Impaired Theatre Maker and Stand-Up Comedian based in Doncaster. She has over 15 years of teaching and facilitating creative arts education. Her recent projects include an Arts Council England Developing Your Creative Practice grant, Cultural Education Manager based at Cast in Doncaster and an early years theatre commission from Barnsley Libraries.

A woman with white skin, blue eyes and long dark brown hair, sat in front of a pink wall. They are wearing a black sweatshirt and gold hoop earrings.

Katie Erich (she / they)

Katie is a deaf, disabled and ND actor originally from Merseyside. Acting credits include Richard III (Shakespeare’s Globe), Wellspring Writer’s Showcase (Vital Xposure), Wind In The Willows (Shakespeare North Playhouse), Julius Caesar (Royal Shakespeare Company), The Solid Life of Sugar Water (Orange Tree Theatre), Oliver Twist (Leeds Playhouse/Ramps on the Moon)

Katie has also worked as an access and captioning consultant/advisor for a number of projects.

Jacqui Ham (she / her)

Jacqui works as a freelance theatre and festival producer, bringing a variety of dynamic projects to life and curating unique cinematic experiences. She also runs her own business, providing drama classes, workshops, and LAMDA training for children. Along with her team they are dedicated to producing community-focused, inclusive and cross-generational work throughout Bristol, fostering creativity and connection among diverse groups.

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Humira Imtiaz (they / them)

Humira is a dynamic force in the arts, driving change through innovative collaborations. They balance roles as General Manager at One Tenth Human, Digital Producer for Tees Women Poets, and Operations Officer at Lawnmowers Theatre Company. Humira’s experience includes digital commissions, directed for Live Theatre & VAULT Festival and participated in Young Vic’s Accessing New Technologies program, exploring accessibility via digital and virtual platforms. A member of Women in Immersive Technologies Europe, they’re committed to empowering diverse voices in the arts.

Kane John Mills (he / him)

Kane John Mills is a Devon-based Dance, Theatre, and Spoken Word Artist (Facilitator, Performer, Theatre Maker, Choreographer, Director, Writer, Dramaturg), and Access Consultant, who works locally, regionally, nationally, and internationally.

He is passionate about…: highlighting and fighting injustice; championing, uplifting, and celebrating those who experience marginalisation; using art to educate, inspire, and create meaningful, impactful, long-term change; increasing who has access to artistic, cultural, and educative experiences; supporting other artists and companies to make their work more accessible and inclusive (for themselves, their participants, their colleagues, and their audiences).

Black and white photo of a black man who is sitting down but you can't see the chair. he is not looking directly into the camera.

Sonny Nwachukwu (he / him)

Sonny Nwachukwu is a published writer, director, choreographer and performer based in Peterborough. As a storyteller he incorporates dance and literature making his work relevant, unique, vibrant and thought-provoking. His works focuses on the African and Caribbean Diaspora. Sonny’s academic background in Psychology informs much of his work and he is keen to tackle issues seen as taboo or ‘different’. Recent projects include Saturn Returns (2022) for Unlimited Festival and new work in progress Eve and Cain (2023).

A dark-skinned Black woman smiles and looks at the camera. She is wearing a bright red vintage swallow-tail trench coat with a purple patterned shirt visible underneath, dark red lipstick, and purple patterned earrings. Her hair is shaved on both sides.

Simi Roach (she / her)

Simi is Jamaican-British but has spent most of her life living in the Netherlands. She is a professional writer, performer, public speaker, and Disability rights activist. She performs and writes her own spoken word poetry, monologues, and shows, as well as short stories, poems, and novels. Simi is a queer wheelchair-user. She has spoken at numerous schools and venues to raise awareness about Disability culture, and has been interviewed about her activism work on multiple podcasts and the radio.

We are delighted to welcome everyone aboard the VX Labs journey! Below are words that panel members have kindly shared with us about their participation in the project:

I am honoured to be working with Vital Xposure and incredibly excited to be a part of a group working towards uplifting diverse voices.

Simi Roach

A very exciting opportunity to work with such an array of accomplished practitioners to proactively discuss accessible arts.

Sonny Nwachukwu

I’m delighted to be part of this inspiring panel Let’s help create something extraordinary together!

Jacqui Ham

As an advocate for innovative, accessible arts, I’m excited to contribute to the VX Artist Panel. My experience across theatre, digital arts, and immersive technologies offers a unique perspective on creating inclusive spaces. I’m particularly excited to discuss how we can integrate creative captioning, BSL, and audio description into the artistic process from the ground up. I look forward to collaborating on pushing boundaries and opening new pathways for disabled, d/Deaf, and neurodivergent artists to thrive.

Humira Imtiaz