Arcola Participation’s community performance companies provide free and low cost opportunities to marginalised groups to explore theatre practices as an ensemble, expand networks and build communities and be involved in high quality performance based projects.
Arcola Theatre have been pioneers in targeted community theatre since our inception in 2000. In October 2025 we will begin new weekly sessions for Queer Collective, 50+ Group, and Mental Health Community Company. Each group will engage in weekly sessions building towards performances as part of Arcola’s Participation Festival in March 2026.
Our Community Companies are run by London’s leading community and education based theatre practitioners and work with members to stage new work or re-imagined productions that shatter expectations and challenge preconceptions.
Arcola’s Community Companies (October 2025 - April 2026 Program)
A space for local residents over the age of 50 to explore theatre and performance.
Using theatre and live performance as a vessel to explore and tackle the stigma surrounding mental health.
East London’s performance collective for the LGBTQIA+ community exploring identity and Queer performance practices.
