Vicky Featherstone has taken the top spot in The Stage 100 Power List, The Guardian confirms. The industry newspaper releases the influential list annually.
Featherstone serves as Artistic Director of The Royal Court, and placed 39th on last year’s list. The source attributes her rise to her “swift response to industry harassment scandal. Featherstone was among the first and most high-profile in the theater community to speak out in the aftermath of allegations about disgraced mogul Harvey Weinstein. She acknowledged that abuses of power are common in the theater industry as well, and “organized a ‘No Grey Area’ day of action, which was followed by the publication of a code of behavior.” Along with The Guardian’s Decca Aitkenhead, she led “a masterclass in how to channel fury about a frighteningly big problem into focused action.”
“Whereas other key industry figures have remained noticeably silent, [Featherstone] has been responsive and outspoken,” said Natasha Tripney, the Stage’s reviews editor and a member of the judging panel.
Featherstone commented, “I share this with the fearless and passionate team and board at the Royal Court. But mostly, it is affirmation to the brave women and men who spoke out about their experiences that they are being taken seriously and proof that my theater colleagues, with the power to do so, are listening and that we can achieve fundamental change. As an industry, we are once more leading the way.”
Two-thirds of the writers and directors featured in Royal Court’s current season are women.
“Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” producer Sonia Friedman topped last year’s Power List. According to the source, Featherstone is the third woman to land the №1 spot as a solo entry.
Check out the women who landed among the top 10 entries of the list below. To see all 100 entries, head over The Stage.
- Vicky Featherstone
3. Sonia Friedman
5. Lisa Burger (and Rufus Norris) (National Theatre)
6. Nica Burns (and Max Weitzenhoffer)
