Meet The Ensemble—Wales’ first national collective of artists with learning disabilities and/or autism ready to shake up the theatre world.
Stay tuned—this is theatre like you’ve never seen before!.
This group of eight talented performers will collaborate with Hijinx’s Artistic Director (Ben Pettitt-Wade) alongside Hijinx’s Associate Artist (Richard Newnham) and a series of guest creatives to hone their skills and deepen their understanding of the theatre industry. Extending beyond on-stage performance, The Ensemble is designed to provide a comprehensive exploration of the entire theatre-making process.
What makes The Ensemble different? These artists are not students or trainees—they’re paid professionals. Over a two-year contract, they’ll spend dedicated time researching, developing, and shaping their own projects. It’s a new approach that gives them more creative control and the opportunity to bring fresh, innovative ideas to the stage.
This leap forward builds on Hijinx’s successful Academy program, which has trained over 70 neurodivergent artists since 2012. While the Academy has helped develop award-winning productions like Meet Fred and The Flop, The Ensemble allows Hijinx to focus on its most experienced artists, giving them the time and space to experiment and take the lead in new work.
The goal is simple: to empower these artists, pay them fairly for their talent, and offer them the platform they deserve. Along the way, they’ll explore new ideas, gain artistic inspiration through “go see” trips, and help shape the future of inclusive theatre in Wales.
With The Ensemble, Hijinx is pushing the boundaries of creativity and giving a voice to a new generation of neurodivergent leaders.