Next Door But One

KNOCK KNOCK… IT'S US FROM NEXT DOOR BUT ONE!

Our name says a lot about us - we bring theatre and storytelling right to the heart of communities in their everyday spaces, to give them agency over arts and culture and help them make the change they want to see!

We're Next Door But One. A multi-award-winning, LGBTQ+ and disability-led theatre company based in York, specialising in co-production and community-led creativity.

We create bold performances, meaningful workshops and welcoming spaces where people can tell their stories, discover their creativity, build connections and unlock their fullest potential.

We're particularly passionate about working alongside people and communities who face barriers to accessing arts and culture. This includes disabled and neurodivergent people, unpaid carers, LGBTQ+ communities, people experiencing mental ill health and children andyoung people facing disadvantage.

We believe the best theatre happens when different people, experiences and perspectives come together.

WHAT WE DO

Our work takes many forms, but everything we do starts with people, their stories and the possibilities of creativity.

Participation: Creativity belongs to everyone.

We bring people together through inclusive workshops, creative programmes and long-term community partnerships. We create spaces to explore, experiment, connect and grow, where everyone's experiences and contributions matter.

Performance: Big stories. Close to home.

We make exciting, thought-provoking and accessible theatre that reflects the world around us. From theatres and schools to libraries and community spaces, we take performances to the places and people where they can make the biggest difference.

Our productions are shaped by lived experiences, explore subjects that matter and invite audiences to see themselves, each other and the world a little differently.

Professional Development: Opening doors for others.

We often talk about Next Door But One being a place where freelancers can 'hang their hat'. We're committed to supporting artists, creatives and cultural organisations to develop their skills, confidence and careers. Through training, mentoring and placements, we're helping build a more inclusive, representative and accessible creative sector.

And we share what we've learned along the way, supporting other organisations to put people, participation and inclusion at the heart of their work.

THE PEOPLE MAKE THE PLACE

We're proud to be a company shaped by the communities we work alongside.

We don't believe people should have to fit into theatre. We believe theatre should be willing to change, adapt and grow to include more people.

That means listening, learning, collaborating and sometimes taking risks. It means recognising that lived experience is expertise. And it means creating opportunities where people can influence what happens next.

Our work is rooted in partnerships across arts, education, health and community services. Together, we're making creativity part of everyday life, not something reserved for a select few.

PROUD OF WHAT WE DO

Since becoming an Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation in 2023, our work has continued to grow in reach, ambition and impact.

In 2025/26 alone, we:

• Delivered 345 creative events, reaching over 10,000 people in person.

• Connected with over 3,000 people digitally.

• Supported hundreds of creative professionals to develop their practice and opportunities.

• Saw 96% of participants feel more connected to others, 91% experience improved wellbeing and 80% grow in confidence.

And we're incredibly proud that our work has been recognised through a whole host of awards and accolades:

• Resilience and Innovation – Visit York Tourism Awards

• Outstanding Talent – YorkMix Hero Awards

• Community Changemaker and Inclusive Business – York Enterprise Awards

• Practising Well – Culture, Health and Wellbeing Alliance Awards

• Community Award – FSB and HSBC Small Business Growth Awards

• Highly Commended: Accessible and Inclusive Tourism – Visit York Tourism Awards

• Transformational Leader – York Enterprise Awards

• Shortlisted: Shine A Light Awards – The Good Grief Trust

But the things we're proudest of don't always come with a trophy.

They're the people who discover something new about themselves. The friendships formed. The conversations started. The stories finally heard. The artists who find their next opportunity. And the communities who know their voices matter.

OUR STORY IS STILL BEING WRITTEN…

We started in 2013 with a belief in the power of people's stories. Since then, we've grown from a small collective of theatre-makers into an organisation working across communities, venues and sectors.

We've learned a lot. We've changed a lot. And we've got plenty more to do.

What hasn't changed is our belief that creativity can bring us closer together.

Because whoever you are, wherever you're from, and whatever your story, there's a place for you at Next Door But One. Where every story matters.

Come on in. The door's open. The kettle's always on.