No Borders, Just Stories: How Theater Creates a Refuge for the Displaced
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Stand and Be Counted’s Associate Director, Nadia Emam and Executive Director, John Tomlinson chat with Olga Hughes as part of a feature with Envoy Magazine. 10,000 print copies have been published across the USA/Canada.
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Of all the arts, theater has always been a powerful force in bringing people together. In Ancient Greece, the birthplace of Western theater, audiences of 15,000-20,000 would gather to witness the playwrights compete, forging a shared cultural and social experience. More than 2,500 years later, theater remains a vital tool for community building and bonding. On this International Theater Day, March 27th, we celebrate not only the art itself but its profound role in social integration. In a world where millions are displaced, international theater means more than entertainment.
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With the migrant crisis in Europe far from over, theater companies working with refugees are expanding their focus beyond social integration to professional development, offering training and workshops that help refugees build careers in the arts.
Sheffield-based Stand and Be Counted Theater (SBC) believes in theater’s power to change—if not the world just yet, then at least local communities. Now celebrating its 15th anniversary, the company has run numerous artistic programs, educational workshops, and theater productions for people with refugee and migrant backgrounds. Some training sessions are regularly attended by a hundred participants, while performance projects have engaged as many as 800 people.
John Tomlinson, John Tomlinson, Executive director and Joint CEO, Stand & Be Counted
“We hope that we’re creating not necessarily the artists of now and tomorrow, but certainly future leaders. At any of our sessions you could just tell that some person is on the track to become really influential in their community, but also as an artist and beyond”
One of their most remarkable projects was The Glow Bus. An iconic American yellow school bus was transformed into a mobile exhibition of films, photography, and digital work created by SBC participants. As it traveled through the city of Oldham, each stop became a pop-up digital art scene, showcasing the creative voices of refugees and migrants.
Nadia Emam, Associate director, Stand & Be Counted
“We celebrate people and try to pull stories from a place of truth. We are giving people opportunities to share their own stories – from the perspective of those seeking sanctuary”
In 2016, Stand and Be Counted became the UK’s first Theater Company of Sanctuary, a title awarded as part of the City of Sanctuary movement. Launched in 2005, this UK-wide initiative encourages organizations and cities to foster a culture of welcome for those forced to seek a new home. Institutions that commit to these values are recognized with the Sanctuary Award. Currently, 27 theaters and theater companies hold this distinction—more than any other art organization.
“We encourage every organisation that we come across, to become an organisation of sanctuary: a café of sanctuary, leisure center… Everywhere we go we’re making the case for that organization to commit to supporting people seeking sanctuary, ensuring they are welcomed, encouraged, and given opportunities to be part of the community. Certainly, that network has grown exponentially over the last few years, which is incredible”, John shares.
