Michael Balogun’s leading role at the National proves viability of theatre

Like many who work in the arts, my first reaction to this advert was anger, then an overwhelming feeling of hurt and sadness that the government has the audacity to say my profession is no longer relevant. This comes at a time when the government has spoken about addressing the effects of the lockdown on mental health. Such advertising creates feelings of worthlessness for those whose profession is already on its knees, and its freelancers abandoned.

Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden was quick to distance himself from the campaign, but the damage was already done.

Nobody goes into this industry thinking it will be easy, but we know how it has the power to changes lives. It did for every single one of us who work in it. We can’t let careers in the arts become, or be considered, unviable for anyone without a trust fund.

Our industry has consistently proven its ability to make a demonstrable local, national and international contribution both to the economy and through outreach – making the governments dismissal of it and its freelance workforce unforgiveable.

Balogun offers inspiration to many. While not all our paths into theatre have been as dramatic as his, many have come into this profession from low-income families, struggling to pay for training. Many of us have worked our way up through the industry, continually learning and dedicating ourselves to perfecting our practices, fuelled by a passionate belief of what this industry contributes to so many lives. This now all feels at risk.

I greatly worry that, in just seven months, many opportunities for those from low-income families have been lost for good. If Balogun was talking to a careers’ adviser about being an actor today, maybe he would have been advised to retrain in cyber. I also fear many students who dreamed of working in the arts before March have given up, fearing it unviable.

The industry is already losing many of its skilled workers. Leaving the industry for jobs that pay the rent. We are losing skilled, established theatremakers just as the next generation is being dissuaded from working in the arts at all. The consequences of this could be dire.

Theatre needs a balanced workforce that enables it to produce a range of interesting work, make cultural connections, share knowledge and experiences, and represent a diversity of backgrounds.

Hearing Balogun’s personal journey into theatre is more important than ever, as it reflects the best of what our industry can offer.

Many of those who get hooked by theatre may never want to work within it. But Balogun demonstrates that if you do, a career opportunity should be accessible to anyone willing to work hard for it, however challenging the odds may at first appear. And for this to happen, the government needs to properly recognise and respect the vibrancy and talent of our workforce and industry.