WELCOME TO

The UK's first Theatre Company of Sanctuary

Committed to making work with and for those seeking sanctuary in the UK and internationally.

Explore Our Work

PRODUCTIONS

See our latest work and get a behind the scenes look at our process.

PROGRAMMES

We run creative empowerment workshops and programmes for children and adults.

Our Work

SOAP BOX Fashion Show on the cobbles

Soap Box Sessions ARE IN FULL FLOW! Join us as we meet new friends, create, inspire, and showcase incredible talent!
Thursdays, 5pm - 8pm | Address: Crucible Theatre, 55 Norfolk St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 1DA
POP UP BOOK

Unfolding the Wonderful World of Stand and Be Counted’s Youth Theatre of Sanctuary with The Montgomery Theatre and Arts Centre
Exhibition now open at The Montgomery Theatre & Arts Centre, Sheffield | Find out more!
GLOW BUS

A digital exhibition made with and for the people of Oldham.
Go Behind the Scenes
Around The World

To celebrate and kick off Refugee Week and Euro 2024, our Youth Theatre of Sanctuary group launched a new hit football song in collaboration with Sheffield FC.
Go Behind The Scenes →
Unplugged

In a world of disconnect, how do we find each other? See the latest production from our Soap Box Collective
Go Behind The Scenes →
Gifted

Enjoy a collection of stories, recipes, poetry, illustrations, songs and much more in this one of a kind celebration of the talented people of Oldham.
See Online Exhibition →
Youth Theatre Of Sanctuary

This is the first group of its kind in the UK and invites young people to develop creative skills, learn English and make new friends.
Saturdays, 10am-1pm at The Montgomery Theatre & Arts Centre, Sheffield | Read More →
Food With Friends

Made in Bradford - this is a collection of delicious recipes and stories from around the world, made with love to share with friends old and new.
See Exhibition →
PLAYING WITH POWER EXHIBIT

A special exhibition, developing video game concepts with our Youth Theatre of Sanctuary
See live exhibit at the National Video Game Museum.
Read More →
Secret Summer

Join rabbits, elves, unicorns, and The Beetles for an exciting roam through your local park as a family! Available in English and Arabic, with a creative adventure pack.
More Information →
PRESS PLAY

Stand & Be Counted's Youth Theatre of Sanctuary made PRESS PLAY ►, a welcome performance to launch the opening of brand new Sheffield city centre playground, Pounds Park.
Read More →
Future Proof!

A celebration event and film premiere that explores themes of community, culture and cultivating 'welcome'.
Supported by Leeds 2023 and Leeds City Library
Read More →
ENOUGH!

A cost of living crisis, a climate emergency, a society divided and never ending strikes. The future might feel bleak if we didn't have a wild and radical plan to change our lives forever! Made with students from Sheffield Hallam University.
Read More →
Help Each Other!

A co-created short film exploring everything we have learned and lived through the Covid-19 pandemic. Listen to the advice of our Youth Theatre of Sanctuary.
Read More →
Where We Are

A special documentary, Where We Are tells the real-life story of Tafadzwa Muchenje and his fight against the injustice caused by a Home Office admin error.
Find out more →
Have Your Passport Ready

Led by brothers Khaled and Mohammad Aljawad from Syria, now based in Sheffield, Have Your Passport Ready explores an unknown city without an interpreter as audiences become players collecting evidence to prove their right to remain in the UK.
Find out more →

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Welcome Empower create action now

WE PROUDLY SIT AT THE INTERSECTION OF ARTS, CULTURE & SOCIAL ACTIVISM.

Through an adventurous co-creation programme we provide thousands of people seeking sanctuary with regular, long-term making opportunities and events in order to celebrate, platform and ensure equality of opportunity.

ABOUT US

PROUD TO BE A THEATRE COMPANY OF SANCTUARY

We pledge to ensure that all of the work we are connected with is welcoming to people seeking sanctuary and those new to the UK.

HISTORY

Get Involved

Whether you’re interested in becoming a Theatre Company of Sanctuary, are keen to join the Welcome movement, are looking for work experience, placement opportunities or want to apply for our latest call outs and commissions - we are always on the look out for new collaborators!

OPPORTUNITIES

The Stage

“A talented & charismatic company”

Stand & Be Counted is an arts charity committed to making work with and for people seeking sanctuary. We make work that empowers, entertains and educates.

WHO WE ARE

“SBC MAKE VITAL WORK WITH CURIOSITY AND FIERCE INTEGRITY THAT YOU CAN SEE RESONATING WITH THEIR AUDIENCES IN THE MOMENT..."

Rich Warburton, Creative Director
IOU Creation Centre
“Their welcoming attitude is embedded in everything the company does, as is a belief that art and activism are not mutually exclusive..."

The Stage
“CHALLENGING THE PRACTICES OF THE STATUS QUO"

FEMALE ARTS
“UNQUESTIONABLY GREAT THEATRE WITH REAL EMOTIVE POWER THAT LEAVES ONE QUESTIONING OUR GOVERNMENT'S POLICIES TOWARDS ASYLUM SEEKERS”

FORGE PRESS
“A PIECE OF BEAUTY… GOES BEYOND THEATRE AND IMPLORES SOCIAL JUSTICE, REFLECTING WHAT THEATRE HAS THE POWER TO BE.”

NOUSE
“POLITICALLY, DOING SOMETHING REMARKABLE.”

British Theatre Guide
‘I am bowled over by what SBC do, they are an inspiration. I want to live in a universe where the leading cultural figures are these kinds of people...'

David Jubb, former Artistic Director Battersea Arts Centre & CulturePlanB

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Latest News

Hear latest from the team at Stand & Be Counted Theatre.

News

Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture announces SBC as Associate Company

Bradford 2025 UK City of Culture announces Stand and Be Counted as Associate Company as part of Cultural City of Sanctuary designation.

Sheffield sanctuary seekers star in London Fashion Week

5 THINGS YOU’d ONLY KNow IF YOU’re A THEATRE DIRECtor

Refugee Week in Oldham

SBC are delighted to have been invited to curate this year’s events as part of Refugee Week (17th 23rd June) for Oldham Coliseum Theatre, which will happen at the town's pop-up Roundabout theatre.