Rosie Macpherson and John Tomlinson

After graduating from the Performing Arts and Media and Performance BA programmes at University of Salford, Rosie and John co-founded Stand and Be Counted – the UK’s first Theatre Company of Sanctuary. SBC Theatre is committed to creating work with and for people seeking sanctuary, including refugees, asylum seekers and new migrants, proudly operating at the intersection of arts, culture and social activism. 

Through a rigorous and adventurous co-creation programme, the company provides thousands of people seeking sanctuary with regular, long-term creative and career development opportunities, helping to celebrate underrepresented voices and champion equality of opportunity. Since 2010, SBC Theatre has produced innovative, political and socially engaged live and digital theatre that merges lived experience with new ideas, while platforming emerging artists and welcoming new audiences. 

At the heart of the company’s work is a belief that theatre can be a powerful force for positive social change and justice – using art as activism to challenge perceptions, influence policy and inspire change.