Award-winning artist Rachel Stockdale is inviting parents, mothers, and primary caregivers to take part in shaping her latest theatre production, Mother?. Through a series of open, collaborative workshops, participants will have the opportunity to share their lived experiences of parenting in a supportive and informal setting.
Weekly workshops at ARC Stockton
The sessions will take place over six weeks at ARC Stockton Arts Centre, offering a relaxed and welcoming environment for discussion and reflection. Open to anyone who identifies as a parent or primary caregiver, the workshops aim to capture a wide range of perspectives, with local parent and child groups also contributing to ensure diverse voices are heard. Workshops run from Tuesday 31 March to Tuesday 12 May 2026, 12pm – 2.30pm weekly.
Stockdale said:
“Parenting is full of pressures and contradictions that rarely get discussed. These workshops are a chance to share your experiences, help shape a play that reflects real parenting today, and be part of a wider conversation about family life in our society. And yes, there may be a bit of swearing!”
From conversations to stage and airwaves
Insights gathered during the sessions will directly inform both the stage production and an accompanying radio play. In addition, some participants may be featured in a portrait exhibition at ARC Stockton, running alongside the performances from Wednesday 17 to Friday 19 June and continuing for three weeks.
Accessible and inclusive participation
Designed with accessibility in mind, the workshops will provide lunch, welcome babies, and offer childcare for older children -ensuring as many people as possible can take part. No booking is required; interested participants can simply drop in to the Culture Kitchen café at ARC Stockton on the day.
For those unable to attend in person, contributions can be shared remotely by contacting the project team via email to arrange a discussion.
Premiere and project support
Mother? will premiere at ARC Stockton from Wednesday 17 to Friday 19 June 2026. The production is created by North East Culture Award-winning artist Rachel Stockdale in association with ARC Stockton, and is supported using public funding from Arts Council England, the PFC Trust, and Tees Valley Combined Authority.
By placing lived experience at its core, Mother? aims to offer an honest and nuanced portrayal of modern parenting -shaped by the very voices it seeks to represent.
