Our mission and values

Our mission 

At our core is a passion for live performance and deep engagement with our communities. We produce, and present a diverse and vibrant performance programme that reflects, inspires, challenges, and entertains audiences in Ipswich and beyond. It includes our own original productions, dynamic collaborations with local, regional, national, and international artists and companies, and the very best touring shows from across the UK.

Through our Creative Communities programme, we ensure that those in Ipswich who need the arts the most have the opportunity to experience, participate in, and shape high-quality creative programmes. Through our artist relationship programme we offer vital career support and opportunities for local freelancers.

To achieve this we will:

• Be a truly open theatre, welcoming everyone
  into our creative home.
• Deliver a programme of work that reflects,
  nourishes, and delights our communities.
• Champion new voices, fresh ideas, and brave
  innovations in theatre making.
• Support and nourish local artists with a special
  focus on young people and underrepresented
  voices.
• Provide creative engagement opportunities that
  spark curiosity, nurture creativity, and inspire
  career aspirations.
• Build strong partnerships—whether with sponsors,
  co-producers, or funders—to expand our reach and
  impact in Ipswich and beyond.
• Be a theatre of both local, regional and national
  significance, shaping the cultural life of greater
  Ipswich, Suffolk, East Anglia, and the UK.
• Take meaningful action on environmental
  sustainability by reducing our carbon footprint,
  embedding greener practices, and actively
  advocating our approach to our audiences, partners,
  and stakeholders.
• Secure the theatre’s long-term future through smart
  financial and business decisions that ensure
  resilience and growth

Our values

We are open

Our theatre is a home for all.

We welcome people from every walk of life, creating a warm, inclusive space where curiosity thrives.
Whether you are an audience member, artist, participant, partner, or colleague, you will find a place here to connect, create, belong and influence.

We are open to criticism and welcome new ideas.

We create joy 

We bring joy to the stage and into people’s lives—not only through laughter and celebration but by embracing the richness, complexity, and diversity of the human experience.

We are nourishing 

We provide a supportive space for artists, participants, and staff to grow, explore, and take creative risks. Through storytelling, skills development, and meaningful engagement, we empower people to shape their own paths and contribute to a thriving cultural landscape.

We are also committed to nurturing our environment, embedding sustainable practices into our work to ensure a greener future for generations to come.

We are brave

We don’t take the easy route. We push creative boundaries, take artistic risks, and challenge ourselves to think differently. We stand firm in our commitment to inclusivity, ensuring diverse voices are heard, represented, and valued.

We are unafraid to have difficult conversations, explore new ideas, and confront uncomfortable truths—because real change and powerful theatre happen when we are bold enough to step outside our comfort zones.