Meet Rikki Henry | Associate Artistic Director
6 Mar 2026
Rikki Henry joined us in January as an Associate Artistic Director on the RTYDS Fair Play Scheme. We've been getting to know him and hearing about his theatre experiences.
What brings you to Bristol, Rikki?
I’ve come to Bristol to join the leadership team at Bristol Old Vic as the RTYDS Fair Play Associate Artistic Director. Bristol is a city with a massive creative heart and a history of radical thinking, which aligns perfectly with my own practice. I’m here to help bridge the gap between world-class artistry and the structural changes needed to make theatre truly accessible to everyone, especially those from working-class backgrounds.
What was your first experience of theatre?
I think it was an opportunity I had to go perform at the at the Cochrane Theatre with my school, a theatre that has since closed down, but it was the first time I had the opportunity to rehearse at my school over long periods and then perform with my classmates to an audience.
What is the single biggest barrier to access to the arts?
The network deficit for many working-class artists, it’s not just about talent; it’s about not having the invisible map of how the industry works or the social capital to get into the room. We often talk about financial barriers, which are real, but the structural barrier of not "knowing the right people" is what keeps the gates closed. My goal is to build systems that make those networks transparent and accessible to everyone.
If you could direct one thing here, what would it be?
Watch this space.
Who inspires you creatively?
I’m inspired by artists who refuse to stay in one lane. People like Nancy Medina, who leads with a "radical welcome,”. I’m drawn to anyone who looks at a legacy institution and asks, "How can we make this more agile, more human, and more future-proof.
What are you most looking forward to over your time at BOV?
I’m most looking forward to building a bespoke system to help us track and nurture our relationships with artists more effectively. I want to leave BOV with a digital infrastructure that matches its artistic excellence. Beyond that, I’m excited to learn the kind of operational dramaturgy of running a major building and to direct a show that resonates with the people of Bristol.
