How Can Theatres Best Support Trans Women?

Alongside our run of After The Act, we are hosting a conversation between Artistic Director David Byrne and actor Mariah Louca.

Mariah Louca is an actor who has appeared on stage at many of the UK’s major theatres. At the age of 40, Mariah made the decision to start disclosing within the arts industry that she is trans. Soon, the range of parts she was being seen for began to narrow to specifically trans-focused roles, limiting her opportunities and slowing her emerging career as a successful actor.

A year ago, in May 2024, alongside Kim Tatum and Reece Lyons, Mariah issued a call to the industry – appearing in the Guardian newspaper calling for trans women to be seen for a greater range of roles.

A year on from that public call and in the wake of a major legal ruling in the UK on gender, Mariah is in conversation with Royal Court Artistic Director David Byrne, giving insight into the challenges facing transwomen in theatre, what the response to her campaign has been, and what theatres can do now to support transwomen at this challenging moment for the transgender community.

The event will take place in the Jerwood Theatre Downstairs, followed by the opportunity for more informal conversations and questions in the Bar.