LIPA Companion Sita McIntosh named in Stage 100
Sunday 18 January 2026
Arts accessibility campaigner Sita McIntosh, who was made a LIPA Companion in 2025, has been included in an industry list of the most influential people in UK theatre – The Stage 100.
Sita, who is chief executive of Go Live Theatre Projects, says it was a shock. “It was a huge surprise and a genuine honour to be named in The Stage 100 for 2026. My inclusion also reflects the hard work of the entire team at Go Live Theatre and it’s lovely to see everyone’s efforts and passion recognised this way.”
Go Live Theatre is a charity that provides access to theatre for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Sita joined in 2024 and welcomes The Stage’s recognition of its work. “It means a huge amount because it acknowledges everything we believe in around making theatre accessible for all. In an era where DEI (diversity, equity and inclusion) is becoming ‘unfashionable’, it’s a hill we’re willing to die on!”
Since it started in 1997, Go Live Theatre has enabled 250,000 children to experience live theatre. Sita believes 2026 could be a landmark year for the charity. “This is the year that Go Live Theatre takes its work national with our first ever programmes held outside of London, starting in Manchester and Bradford.”
A LIPA Companionship is awarded for outstanding achievement and contribution to student learning. Sita, who held a Q&A session with Management students and staff in June last year, was made a Companion by our Founding Patron Sir Paul McCartney at our 2025 graduation ceremony.
The Stage 100 also includes four LIPA graduates, director Jamie Lloyd; Nottingham Playhouse artistic director, Adam Penford; CEO and founder of immersive event specialists Path Entertainment, David Hutchinson and Liam McMullan, executive director and producer at Barn Theatre, Cirencester.
Management graduate Liam McMullan joins The Stage 100
Sir Paul McCartney honours leading arts figures at LIPA graduation
Image: Sita McIntosh, second from left, pictured with Keith Mullin (Head of Dept. Management), Cherise Weaver (Head of Equality, Diversity & Inclusion) and Eva Petersen (Programme Leader, MA Music Industry Management)
