Equal People Performing Arts – The Mushroom Theatre Company – interview with Founder, Penni Bubb

In 2024 Swiftclean is supporting a local charity based in Rayleigh, Essex called Equal People Performing Arts, which was created to support the Mushroom Theatre Company.

We spoke to their founder, Penni Bubb, to find out more about the charity and its origins.

Why did you set up the Mushroom Theatre company? Why ‘Mushroom’?

20 years ago, I was working in Secondary education, and as part of my role as the Dance Tutor I had to run some sessions in the local Special Needs Schools.  This experience made me realise that disabled people do not get the same opportunities as non-disabled ones and I felt this was very unfair.  Especially to children who wanted to dance but were turned away from regular classes.  We created an integrated dance piece that went on to win awards and watching the disabled and non-disabled young people work together and the beautiful relationships this created made me want to set up a school that was available to everyone regardless of ability.

What were the early days like?

Our first building was an old mushroom shed, hence the name ‘Mushroom Theatre Company’.  We started with 73 students. However, the charity ‘Equal People Performing Arts’ came about when we realised that the building we had was not going to be suitable long term as it was very old, too cold and damp, especially for our wheelchair users.  So we formed a charity to help us raise the funds for our current, beautifully accessible building.

Now the charity runs the building and we volunteer for the charity to run the building, fundraise and look after the tenants of which Mushroom Theatre Company is one.

We have received no government support. All of our fundraising has been us working hard and having help from some local organisations such as Rotary.

What are your goals for the charity?

Our goals are to carry on growing and spreading the word of inclusion in the performing arts and the wider world.

What does success look like to you?

Success is growth because growth means the ethos is being spread wider.  Success is giving young people opportunities.  Success is managing to keep going.

Do you have any plans for expansion?

We would if we had the staff.

How do you see the future of the company?

I am always apprehensive about the future. I don’t take anything for granted and am always striving to future-proof both the charity and the company. However, I am always excited by the creativity and joy of the children and young people we teach.

What are your Dance teachers/mentors like?

They love spending time with children and young people some of whom can be challenging.  They think ‘outside the box’ and are creative and ultimately fun.