Storytellers Wanted: No Gatekeepers Allowed as the Stage Belongs to Everyone with Suzie Henderson

Meet Suzie Henderson, a fierce advocate for community-driven creative leadership who's helping rewrite the rules of cultural spaces as Creative Director at Storyhouse in Chester. With warmth and candour, Susie shares her unexpected journey from a youth theatre in Tamworth to becoming a pioneering voice in the creative sector.What makes Suzie's approach so refreshing is her commitment to collaborative leadership. "I'm not a big fan of a singular artistic vision held by one person," she explains. "Organisations that support communities need a multitude of perspectives." This philosophy has shaped her career from her early days at Contact Theatre Manchester to her current role, where she champions accessibility, diversity, and genuine community engagement.Throughout our conversation, Suzie deftly navigates the perceived tension between commercial success and social impact. She challenges the notion that these must be opposing forces, arguing instead that "commerciality comes through the creativity." Her work at Storyhouse demonstrates that cultural organisations can maintain financial sustainability while staying true to their values – a lesson many in the sector are still learning.Perhaps most inspiring is Suzie's commitment to creating pathways for emerging talent. From Storyhouse Young Company's free training programme for those facing barriers to drama school, to paid professional opportunities for young actors, she's building tangible solutions to industry gaps. Her approach recognises that talent alone isn't enough – success requires opportunity, support, and a commitment to bringing new voices into traditionally exclusive spaces.Whether you're an established creative, an aspiring arts professional, or simply curious about what happens before the applause, Susie's insights offer a masterclass in values-led leadership for the modern cultural landscape. Join us for this thought-provoking conversation that proves meaningful engagement and commercial savvy aren't opposites – they're part of the same compelling story.storyhouse.comcontactmcr.comSupport the showThe Before the Applause Podcast is available for you to listen to across all your favourite podcast platforms, and don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss a thing. Please do tell your colleagues, networks, friends and family about us, and stay connected with us across all the usual social media platforms. TwitterInstagramFacebook If you’ve got any burning questions, want to share your own insights, recommend a guest or be one yourself, then we’d love to hear from you. You can direct message on any of our social accounts or email [email protected]