Business Details
31 Years
experience
Inclusive Theatre Productions & Workshops
Established in 1995 by Suzanne Lofthus, Cutting Edge Theatre has dedicated over 25 years to creating transformative theatre experiences that empower marginalised communities. Our work focuses on enabling creative collaboration through inclusive productions and educational workshops, operating under a cohesive strategy aligned with the Equality Act 2010. We have delivered impactful projects across Scotland and internationally in Malawi, Zimbabwe, USA, Italy, and Brazil, specialising in working with individuals who share protected characteristics.As a Living Wage Employer accredited by the Scottish Government's Fair Work First policy, we prioritise staff wellbeing through flexible working arrangements and professional development opportunities. Our productions have consistently demonstrated theatre's capacity to create positive social change, leaving a lasting creative legacy through accessible arts engagement.
Services
Inclusive Theatre Productions
Disability Sector Workshops
Youth Theatre Programmes
Prison Drama Projects
Community Passion Plays
Details
- Year established: 1995
Highlights and features
- 25+ years creating inclusive theatre for marginalised communities
- Accredited Living Wage Employer with staff development programmes
- International experience across 5 continents including Africa and Americas
- Specialist workshops for disabled artists and learning-disabled participants
- Award-winning productions with social impact recognition
Associations and certifications
- Living Wage Employer
What people say
Incredibly moving performances
Life-changing opportunities
Exceptional accessibility
Professional quality
Community impact
Services
Inclusive Theatre Productions
Professional theatre productions that prioritise accessibility and representation, featuring diverse casts including disabled artists and marginalised communities. Our productions tour nationally and internationally, combining artistic excellence with social impact objectives. Each performance incorporates inclusive design principles to ensure accessibility for both performers and audiences.
Disability Workshops
Free drama workshops specifically for disabled adults and learning-disabled participants, delivered through our INSPIRE programme. Sessions develop creative skills while building confidence and communication abilities through structured theatre techniques. Available in Edinburgh and Fife with fully accessible facilities and trained facilitators.
Youth Theatre
Dedicated theatre programme for learning-disabled participants aged 13-17, focusing on confidence-building through drama projects. Weekly sessions develop performance skills while creating supportive creative communities. Curriculum includes text work, movement and collaborative devising techniques tailored to participants' needs.
Prison Projects
Mentorship drama initiatives in Scottish and international prisons that develop creative potential while reducing reoffending rates. Our programmes use theatre techniques to build communication skills and personal development, with documented success in supporting offender rehabilitation through artistic expression.
Passion Plays
Site-specific Easter productions that engage local communities through participatory theatre. We produce both traditional and modern interpretations while mentoring other groups to stage their own community passion plays, combining religious narratives with contemporary social commentary in accessible outdoor settings.
People
Suzanne Lofthus
Artistic Director
Founder of Cutting Edge Theatre with 25+ years experience creating transformative theatre. Specialises in international community projects and disability arts, having directed plays in prisons across three continents while maintaining a commitment to social impact through performance.
Heidi Vanttinen
Administrative Company Manager
Experienced arts professional with leadership roles at Edinburgh Playhouse and Tate Modern. Specialises in operational management and audience experience, bringing expertise in health and safety compliance and cultural venue operations to support the company's administrative functions.
Katie Milne
Access / Education Co-ordinator
Drama educator and facilitator with Pipe Up Productions, specialising in inclusive theatre education. Has led INSPIRE drama workshops since 2012 while also performing in key productions like Downs with Love, combining practical performance experience with educational leadership.
Lisa McDonald
Access / Education Co-ordinator
Director and facilitator specialising in puppetry and movement theatre. Co-Artistic Director of Simply Surreal with experience producing national theatre tours. Leads youth and adult drama groups while developing innovative inclusive performance techniques that challenge traditional theatre formats.
Abigail Brydon
Artist
Graduate of Fife College's Drama programme who progressed from participant to facilitator. Originated the role of Beth in Downs with Love at Edinburgh Fringe, now mentoring through Shakespeare courses while representing the company in national and international performances and media projects.
Questions
What makes your theatre company different from others?
We specialise in inclusive theatre that empowers marginalised communities through creative collaboration and accessible productions.
Do you offer drama classes for disabled participants?
Yes, our free INSPIRE workshops provide drama classes specifically designed for disabled adults and learning-disabled individuals.
Where are your productions staged?
We perform across Scotland and internationally, with recent projects in Malawi, Zimbabwe, USA, Italy and Brazil.
How can I get involved in your productions?
We hold accessible open auditions and offer training programmes like our Young Company for aspiring performers.
Are your facilities fully accessible?
Yes, our Edinburgh and Fife venues have full accessibility features including wheelchair access and sensory accommodations.
Do you work with prisons and rehabilitation projects?
Yes, we've developed drama mentorship programmes in Scottish and international prisons since our founding in 1995.
