Graeae’s bespoke Artist Development Programme, Beyond, started in 2020. Since its creation it has supported 67 Deaf, Disabled, and neurodivergent artists in developing their careers, taking on new challenges & building successful connections.

We have been supporting this programme over the last four years and are proud to once again team up with Graeae as one of the eight venues across the country who will be providing artistic development over the next 12 months.

This year we will be working with two artists – Oliver Cross and Nicole Hull.

Oliver Cross (he/him) is a disabled and neurodivergent freelance musician and composer living in Lancashire. He has worked with orchestras and his orchestral piece Barriers was performed by the National Open Youth Orchestra in 2022 and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra in 2023.

Oliver is part of folk trio, The Patterers, who perform in Lancashire and further afield. He is a trained accessible music practitioner and has worked in specialist educational settings with children and teenagers.

On this opportunity, Oliver said:“I am excited to be working in the Graeae Theatre Beyond Programme at the wonderful Octagon Theatre, and to learn about the art of sound production in a theatrical setting. I’m also looking forward to connecting with the Octagon’s community theatre groups.”

Nicole Hull (she/they) is an autistic, LGBTQIA+, working class creative, based in Bolton. Her work focuses on dismantling mental health stigmas, comedy, and a bit of fantasy.

Nicole commented on being selected for the Graeae Beyond programme 2024: “I'm thrilled about working with the Octagon. I work here as an usher, so to get the opportunity to do something creative with the help of the Octagon is really exciting.”

Beyond is helping to develop greater access to regional opportunities across England ensuring Deaf, Disabled, and neurodivergent artists are at the forefront of new and emerging work. We recognise the immense value of our intersectionality across our communities, which includes Black, Asian, Global Majority, migrant, and LGBTQIA+ artists, which is why our approach is to be as bespoke as possible for each individual artist on the programme.

This year, Graeae have teamed up with 8 leading venues across England; Octagon Theatre in Bolton, Nottingham Playhouse, Cast in Doncaster, Hull Truck Theatre, Shakespeare North in Prescot, Everyman in Liverpool, Derby Theatre, and Mercury Theatre in Colchester. Together we are creating a national network of artistic support and development for Deaf, Disabled, and neurodivergent artists.

Find out more about Graeae Theatre and the Beyond initiative here