Gail Babb

Gail Babb is a theatre maker, producer and lecturer who specialises in participatory arts, devising new work and supporting emerging artists. She teaches on the MA in Applied Theatre and is Deputy Director of the BA Performance, Politics & Society.

Professional Experience

Gail’s work as a facilitator and theatre maker includes creative learning in schools, equality and diversity training in universities and workplaces, and devising with professional artists, young people and mental health service-users. She has created shows for a range of settings, including theatres, a tour to South Africa’s National Arts Festival and site-specific pieces in museums and a derelict school.

As Producer for Participation & Learning at Talawa Theatre Company from 2007-2018, she brought work with emerging Black theatre makers to the centre of the company and developed an innovative participation programme that placed an emphasis on bespoke, participant-led projects. 

Gail has freelanced for a range of arts companies including Emergency Exit Arts, The Kiln, Musicians without Borders, Autograph ABP, London Bubble Theatre Company and RADA. She is also an active board member for the London Arts and Health Forum.

In 2017/18, Gail was awarded a Clore Fellowship for outstanding change-makers in the cultural sector. 

Academic Qualifications

• BA Hons. Drama, University of Hull
• MA Applied Drama: Theatre in Educational, Community & Social Contexts, Goldsmiths, University of London

Teaching

Gail has taught at Goldsmiths in various capacities since 2011 and also teaches at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, Queen Mary University of London and the University of East London. 

Selected Work

• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: What is stopping us?: a paper written for The Clore Leadership Programme
• Run it Back: an immersive show powered by grime, soca and afrobeat (Creative Producer & Dramaturg)
• ‘British Theatre is hideously white’: interview on BBC News in response to research from the Andrew Lloyd Webber Foundation
• ‘Doing Theatre Our Way’: an article written by participants of Kindred Theatre Group led by Gail Babb and ArjI Manuelpillai

Areas of Interest

• Black British history: protest, cultural resistance and civil rights
• Black British theatre
• Partnership & collaboration in participatory arts
• Arts and Health, particularly mental health
• Creative learning in schools
• Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the cultural sector