Published: 27 May 2026
From the journey that led her to Go Live Theatre to her vision for building truly inclusive audiences...
In a featured interview with The Stage, our Chief Executive, Sita McIntosh, reflects on her career-long passion for expanding theatre access.
Growing up with Jamaican and Indian heritage in the West Midlands, Sita only attended the theatre twice before moving to London for college. That firsthand experience of feeling excluded from traditional ‘core audiences’ has fueled her determination to ensure today’s young people – regardless of their background – know that the arts belong to them too.
The piece highlights how Go Live actively demystifies the West End by reaching out to:
- Families who have never been to the theatre
- High pupil premium schools in disadvantaged areas
- Young people in pupil referral units
- People with neurodiversity, learning difficulties, special educational needs and/or disabilities and welcoming them to pioneering Relaxed Performances of major West End shows
- Specific communities through dedicated programmes such as Inclusive Family Days, Playmakers Deaf and StageXchange (for young carers)
Whether it is giving families referred by local authorities, children’s charities and youth organisations a chance to see a show, bringing groups of teenagers to see James Graham’s Punch, or taking Primary School students to see Agatha Christie’s The Mousetrap (and providing them with the opportunity to write their own murder mysteries to be performed by professional actors), Sita outlines why this hands-on community engagement is vital to building and inspiring the theatre audiences and workforce of the future.
🔗 Read the full interview on The Stage website
👉 Discover more about our programmes
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📸 Photo: Alex Brenner (via The Stage)
